The Moment I Defended a Helpless Child

6 months ago

We are all given a voice for a reason, and we can actually make a difference with our voice. In our daily activities, we might meet something that doesn't look right, and I think standing up for others when we can would make our world a better place. In our society today, some people act without conscience; it's all about selfishness and how to take advantage of others. This is unjust, and we all encounter varieties of cases like this. I have stood up for others on several occasions, but today I will share with you this one that got me so emotional.

Source

A few years ago, when I lived in a rented apartment with our landlord and his family, I had a lot of experience over there. The man has five children plus a young girl (their house help) named Aisha. Aisha was a 16-year-old girl who was so humble and hardworking. I usually admire how fast she attends to her duties as a housekeeper for the landlord and his family. However, her madam was never pleased with her good deeds. She always finds fault in whatever Aisha does, and she shouts on top of her head every day. I don't think there's a day this madam wouldn't beat Aisha, despite how hardworking this poor girl is.

I observed all of these and even saw bruises on her body, yet I kept quiet but was troubled in the spirit several times. I felt I should mind my business and face my home until one day...

Two of the landlord's children, a boy and a girl, mistakenly broke one of their visitors glass cups placed on the dining table. This happened when Aisha was downstairs doing laundry and I was standing in front of my door, which was so close to their living room. Then I overheard the kids saying, "Let's hide the broken glass cup in Aisha's bag of clothes so it would look as if she broke it and hid it herself so that no one would find out. Hmmmmm, I didn't bother to go to the kids for any questioning based on what I overheard them say, but I was so alert to know when the madam returns and watch her actions...

It wasn't long; Aisha was done with her laundry downstairs, and the madam came in as well. I wouldn't know what transpired inside their living room within a few minutes, but the next thing I saw was that the poor Aisha was already tied up with a rope downstairs, like if she were an animal waiting to be butchered. On no! I hurriedly rushed downstairs to ask her why she was tied up. Tears were rolling from her eyes; she couldn't even say a word at first; she was sober. However, she managed to explain to me why she was in that state after much pleading and comforting her with nice words. It was about the broken glass cup she knew nothing about. I thought as much,but to imagine that the madam would tie her up in that manner and prepare to beat her up as usual was out of it.

Soon, the madam came down with two long canes that looked like she bought them in the market, and when she was just about to descend on the poor girl, I stood on the gap and said no way, not under my watch, not when I knew the truth about this particular issue.
The madam was pissed off at why I was interfering with her matter, but I made it clearer to her by telling her that if standing in for this girl will make you ask me to pack out of your house, I will gladly pack out. I began to express my feelings towards her attitude towards the girl and how most of her actions were unjust. I told her to call the two children whom I overheard discussing the broken glass, and they came. I asked the kids to tell the truth about the broken glass cup, or I would tell them what I heard. The kids exposed everything and accepted being the offender, and the mom became speechless. She doesn't just care to know what transpired; she was just so furious at the poor girl and wouldn't hesitate to descend on her at any slighted opportunity. However, I told her words that got her broken 💔.

With her two hands, she untied the poor girl and even apologized to her. I felt so fulfilled that I could save the poor girl, and not only that, the madam became closer to me and said that those words I told her melted her heart and I should teach her more on how to treat others well who aren't her children.

I saw a woman who was ready to take a new leave, and then I took our relationship beyond the landlady-tenant relationship to the one where impacting her life positively will be possible.

Thanks for reading!!.

This is my response to the #hivelearners community contest on the topic titled Standing Up for Others.

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41 comments

@nhaji01 69

6 months ago

One thing I always promise myself is to never put my child in the care of someone, not even a family member because some people are really heartless. If you hasn’t stepped in to save this young girl imagine what would have happened to her. We thank God for putting good people out there to save us all in times like this. You did very well and I commend you for that.

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