The Encounter With Traders.

Human beings are a fascinating blend of both good and bad qualities, showing incredible kindness alongside profound flaws. Our positive nature shines through in acts of love, generosity, and compassion. We demonstrate this when we uplift others, extend empathy, or work tirelessly to improve the world.

However, we cannot ignore the negative side of human nature. Traits such as greed, envy, anger, and selfishness often overshadow our virtues. These characteristics have fueled conflicts, destroyed relationships, and hindered growth.

The fact that it is humans who are traders, and it is also humans who go buy things from these traders, human nature will prevail. I have had a different encounter with many traders; some left me with good memories while others left me with bad memories.

The Good Experience.

That hot afternoon, around 3 PM, I was on my way home after finishing my lecture. I was famished, having not eaten anything all morning. When I arrived at my bus stop, I headed over to the woman who sells peppers, tomatoes, and other ingredients. With the little strength I had left, I told her what I wanted to buy. She could tell from my voice that I was exhausted.

After she finished packing my items, I attempted to pay her, but it felt like my pockets were just as empty as my stomach.

I reached into my first pocket, and nothing came out. The second pocket only produced dust, and the breast pocket remained silent since I had never kept any money in it.

As I awkwardly danced around, trying to find the money, the woman said in Yoruba, "It seems you have lost your money. Take the pepper and come back to pay me."

I was shocked at first, thinking it might be a joke, but she was being serious. It felt like my mom had prayed for me that day. After I cooked, finished eating, and took a short nap, I returned that same day to pay her for her kindness.

Bad Experience.

One thing I've noticed about tech enthusiasts is that they always love to have fancy gadgets that actually perform the tasks they need. What I'm about to share is an experience that still pains me.

Just like the avatar, I went to a tech store in search of some items that would help me do my work properly. I intended to buy a MiFi device, a mouse, a desktop monitor, and a new laptop charger. I browsed through several shops in Ikorodu Market until a man noticed me and pulled me into his shop.

"Trust me, everything you're looking for is here," he assured me, and after walking under the scorching sun, I felt almost enchanted by the coolness of his shop. I told him everything I needed, but it turned out he didn't have all the items in stock.

Despite my reservations, I felt relieved that he kept stepping out to source the items for me. He promised that what he provided would last for generations.

I ended up buying everything at a high price, only to find that two weeks later, the mouse stopped working, the MiFi kept shutting off even while charging, and the new laptop charger burnt out.

Frustrated, I rushed back to his shop to complain, but he pretended not to recognize me. "Does this man have insomnia or something?" I thought, realizing he was denying me any assistance. Since my friends weren’t with me in that unfamiliar area, I had to return home empty-handed, burdened with nothing but faulty gadgets.

In conclusion.

Humans will be humans and sometimes we let our bad nature take over us because of things we want to gain at that moment yet we can act like the benevolent creator who wishes the best for us.

Thanks for reading.

My name is Fashtioluwa. Hive's super alien from Mars. Do have a great day on Earth.