The Promise by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman
Aba was eight years old. She lived in Takoradi and was in Stage Four at the International School. Aba lived with her parents and a little brother called Kwame.
Aba’s parents were poor. Her father was a fisherman. He owned a little canoe with which he went to sea to catch fish. He sold some of the fish and gave some to Mother who smoked and sold them. Thus, they did not have a lot of money. Sometimes it was difficult for her parents to pay their children’s school fees. As a result, Aba and her brother were sometimes driven out of school because they owed school fees. This made Aba very sad and she prayed to God every day to help her parents get money to look after them.
Aba had a friend in school. Her name was Kukua. She was nine years old. Kukua’s parents were rich. Kukua had a stepbrother called Kofi. He was her father’s son but not the son of Kukua’s mother. Kofi was fifteen years old and was in secondary school.
Sometimes Aba went to Kukua’s house to play, and sometimes Kukua shared her food with Aba.
Aba was very clever in school. She was always first in her class. Her teacher liked her very much. Sometimes her school competed with other schools in debates and general quizzes. Aba always represented her school at her level, and was always first. She received many prizes for her school.
When she came to Stage Four, the Parent and Teacher Association of her school gave her a scholarship. This meant that Aba would not have to pay her school fees again. Her parents were happy and very proud of her. Aba was also very happy. She was determined to learn hard and become a famous doctor when she grew up.
Aba loved her friend Kukua very much, but there was one thing that she did not like about her; she did not like the way Kukua treated her stepbrother, Kofi.
Kukua’s father loved Kofi very much because he was a good boy. Kofi was also good and kind to Aba. He sometimes gave her money to buy fish. Whenever Aba went out to sell her mother’s smoked fish, Kofi was always the first to buy some.
Aba liked Kofi very much and was always sad when Kukua insulted Kofi and said bad things about him. Aba knew that Kukua was jealous of Kofi because her father was proud of him and bought him things. Kukua’s mother also did not like Kofi much. Sometimes when Aba visited them, she would hear Kukua’s mother saying very bad things to Kofi.
Kofi was never angry though. He used to tell Aba that he would soon complete secondary school and go abroad and return as a rich man. Kofi’s mother was dead. That was why his father had married Kukua’s mother. Kofi loved Kukua and her mother even though they were so cruel to him.
One morning, something bad had happened. When Aba woke up Mother told her that Kwame had been very sick during the night. He could not get out of bed. When Aba went to see Kwame she noticed that he was shivering and that his skin was very hot. Aba was very worried. She loved her brother very much and did not want him to be sick. Mother gave Kwame some porridge but he could not hold it down and vomited. Aba was very sad and cried a lot.
Father told her not to worry because Kwame only had a fever. He said that he would take Kwame to the hospital. Aba went to school still worried.
She told Kukua that her brother was sick. Kukua was also very sad because she liked Kwame very much. After school, Aba ran all the way home. She was anxious to find out how her brother was doing. When she got home she found that Mother had left her some kenkey and fried fish for lunch, but there was nobody at home. She was so worried about Kwame.
Soon, she heard a car outside and ran out. It was the neighbour’s taxi, which had brought Mother home. Aba saw that Mother looked very worried indeed.
“Mother, what’s wrong?” she asked anxiously. “How’s Kwame?”
“He’s alright,” Mother said with a brave smile. “He’s been admitted to the hospital. The doctor did some tests and would let us know what’s wrong with your brother in the evening.”
Aba helped Mother to prepare some food for Kwame, and the both of them left for the hospital.
Aba found Father with Kwame. Kwame was lying in a huge bed, and he was being given an infusion. Aba was sad again and almost cried. She stayed with Kwame as Mother fed him.
Soon, an elderly man entered. He was wearing a long white coat over his formal attire, and there was a stethoscope around his neck. He was holding a flat file, and he smiled gently at Aba. He told Mother and Father to follow him, and they went outside, leaving Aba alone with Kwame.
They were gone for a long time. When Mother and Father came back, Aba noticed that they looked very worried. She wanted to know what the doctor had told them. Father took her in his arms. He looked sad.
“The doctor said your brother needs a surgical operation, Aba,” he said. “He says Kwame has an appendicitis growth that has to be removed.”
“Then Kwame would be alright?” Aba asked hopefully.
“Yes dear, he would be alright after the operation,” Mother said. “But we would need a lot of money because the operation is very expensive. Father does not have that much money, but we shall try to find enough to make your brother have the operation.”
Aba was worried. She knew her parents were poor, and it would be very difficult to get the money needed for Kwame’s surgical operation.
She came home with Father whilst Mother remained with Kwame. Father went out to see some of his friends. He wanted to ask them to lend him some money. He was gone for a very long time, and when he returned, he looked very sad indeed.
Aba knew that Father did not get any money. She sat in his lap and felt tears in her eyes.
“You didn’t get any money, did you Father?” she asked.
“No dear, I didn’t,” Father answered sadly. “But some friends have promised to help me tomorrow.”
“I shall pray tonight,” Aba said. “God will help you to get some money.”
Mother came home in the morning. Father also went out again to see his friends who had promised to lend him some money.
Aba went to school very sad and worried. Kukua asked how Kwame was doing, and Aba told her all that had happened.
“I hope your father would get some money, Aba,” Kukua said.
After school, Kukua accompanied Aba to her house. They found only Mother in the house. She told them that Father had still not gotten any money from his friends, and no one would lend them the money because Father was poor.
Aba was more worried. She could not eat. She wanted her brother to get well again. When Kukua was leaving, Aba went to see her off.
On the way Kukua stopped and looked at Aba kindly.
“My parents are very rich Aba,” she said. “I can talk to them, and they will give your father all the money he wants!”
“Oh, would you do that for me?” Aba cried excitedly. “Oh, please, do talk to your parents Kukua!”
“I will talk to them and let them help you, Aba,” Kukua said in a serious voice. “But you must make a promise first.”
“Oh, I’ll do anything, Kukua!” Aba cried. “I will promise anything!”
“Then, promise me that you will also help me when I need your help, and cross your heart!”
“You know I will always do anything to help you when you need my help.” Aba cried. “You don’t need to get my promise for that.”
“I want you to promise anyway,” Kukua said.
“Alright, I promise to help you out when you need my help,” Aba said and, crossed her heart.
Kukua left, and Aba went home to help Mother to prepare food. She was happy that Kukua would help her. When father returned that evening, he still did not have any money.
The following morning when Aba was sweeping the compound a beautiful car came to a stop in front of her house. She saw it was the car of Mr. Bentum, Kukua’s father.
The doors opened and Kukua stepped out with her parents. Aba’s heart soared with happiness and gratitude. She ran to welcome her friend and her parents. She invited them inside and called her parents. They all sat down. Mr. Bentum told them that Kukua had told them about Kwame’s condition, and they had been sad. They had, therefore, come to help them. Mr. Bentum gave Father a lot of money. He said he would not take it back.
Aba’s parents were so surprised and happy. They thanked Mr. and Mrs. Bentum. Aba was so happy, and she embraced Kukua.
“Thank you very much, Kukua,” she cried.
“I did what I promised,” Kukua said. “Don’t ever forget your promise, Aba!”
Aba’s parents quickly left for the hospital and Aba went to school. When she came back her parents told her that Kwame’s operation had been done and that he would be home soon. Aba went to visit her brother. She was so happy.
Kwame came home a week later, and Aba never forgot what Kukua’s parents had done for them.
School vacated and Aba came home to help her mother smoke and sell fish. Kukua and her family went for a vacation in the big city.
One evening, Aba returned from selling smoked fish to see Kukua waiting. She had returned from vacation and had brought some gifts for Aba. They were so happy to see each other again.
Kukua invited Aba home and told her many stories about the city. She saw Kofi who also gave her a gift.
Two days later, Aba was at home when Kukua came in. She was very excited, and she looked seriously at Aba.
“Do you remember your promise?” Kukua asked.
“I do,” Aba replied.
“Good, because I need your help now!” Kukua said.
Aba was glad that there was finally a chance for her to do something for Kukua to repay her for what she did for them when Kwame was sick.
“I promised I would do anything, Kukua,” Aba said. “Tell me what you need and I will help you.”
“Yesterday a very precious diamond went missing in my home. Father brought it home. It belongs to one of his customers, and someone stole it,” Kukua said.
“Oh no!” Aba cried. “But that’s so terrible!”
“Yes, it is!” Kukua replied. “Father would lose a lot of money if the diamond is not found.”
“Who could’ve taken it?” Aba asked.
“Kofi did!” Kukua cried angrily.
“No!” Aba cried loudly. “Kofi would never do such a thing. I know you don’t like your stepbrother, but he is not a thief!”
“But I saw him taking it yesterday!” Kukua cried. “If he doesn’t give it back the police would come for my father. I told Father that Kofi took it but Kofi denied it. I want you to come home with me and tell my parents that yesterday we both saw Kofi taking the diamond.”
“No, that is a lie!” Aba cried with horror. “I didn’t see him taking it!”
“But I saw him taking it!” Kukua cried. “You are not a good friend. You want my father to go to prison after he helped you? You promised to help me. It is also bad to break a promise.”
“What’s going on, girls?” Aba’s mother asked as she entered the room. “Why are you shouting?”
“Isn’t it bad to break a promise, Mrs. Addo?” Kukua asked Aba’s mother.
“It is indeed bad to break promises!” Mother said with a smile. “Is that what you were arguing about?”
“Yes, Mrs. Addo,” Kukua cried triumphantly. Mother left them alone and Kukua turned to Aba.
“You can’t break your promise!” Kukua cried. “Your own mother said so. However, you won’t be telling a lie because I saw Kofi taking the diamond!”
Aba was very sad. She knew she could not break her promise. She also did not want Aba’s father to go to prison. Yet she liked Kofi very much, and did not want to tell a lie against him. Mother had also said that it was bad to break a promise.
“Did Kofi really take the diamond?” she asked unhappily.
“Yes, he did!” Kukua cried.
Thus, Aba followed Kukua home. She found Mr. and Mrs. Bentum in the hall with Kofi who looked very sad. There was also an elderly woman with them. Aba could not look at Kofi. He looked as if he had been crying.
“Stand here Aba,” Mr. Bentum said kindly. “You were here yesterday, weren’t you?”
Abba nodded sadly.
“Did you see Kofi?” Mr. Bentum asked.
“Ye-ye-yesss!” Aba stammered.
“Don’t be afraid, Aba dear,” Mr. Bentum said. “What did you see Kofi do?”
Tears came to Aba’s eyes. Kukua looked at her angrily.
“Did you see Kofi putting a diamond necklace in his pocket?”
Mr. Bentum asked.
“Yes, we did!” Aba said softly. “He put it into his pocket.”
“I told you I wasn’t lying, Daddy!” Kukua cried triumphantly.
“Kofi stole it!”
“Aba, that’s a lie!” cried Kofi with horror.
Mr. Bentum looked very sad, but Kukua and her mother were happy. Kofi got up and quietly left the room. Tears fell down Aba’s cheeks now. She had kept her promise, but she felt so terrible. She wanted to run after Kofi and apologise to him.
“You can go now, Aba dear.” Mr. Bentum said softly.
“I hope you find the necklace, Mr. Bentum,” Aba said unhappily.
“I hope so too, Aba!” Mr. Bentum said.
Aba ran all the way home. She went into her room and cried a lot. She comforted herself with the thought that Kukua saw Kofi taking the necklace. She knew it was bad to steal, and she knew she had done the right thing.
A week passed. Aba did not hear from Kukua. She was afraid to go to her house because she felt ashamed to face Kofi.
One evening, she was having dinner with Kwame when Father came in. He did not look happy as he sat down beside Mother.
“I met that kind Mr. Bentum today,” Father told Mother sadly. “His son Kofi stole a valuable diamond. He made the police lock him up at the police station for a week but…”
“Oh no!” Aba cried and stood up. She looked at her father with horror.
“Aba, what’s wrong?” Mother asked. “Do you know anything about it?”
“Is Kofi still at the police station?” Aba asked in a trembling voice.
“Mr. Bentum let them release him today,” Father said. “But he told me that he would take Kofi out of school and send him to the village because…”
“No!” Aba cried and left the house in a run.
Her parents called after her, but she did not stop. She ran all the way to Kukua’s house. When she entered through the gates, a sad scene met her.
Kofi was dressed and was carrying his bag to his father’s car. Kukua and her mother were watching from the verandah. Mr. Bentum was in the car and he looked angry and sad.
“Hello, Aba!” Kofi said kindly and smiled. “I’m glad you came. Now I can say goodbye to you. Father is sending me to the village to live with my mother’s people and I will not see you again. I want you to know that I don’t blame you for any of this.”
Tears fell down Aba’s face. She embraced Kofi tightly.
“Oh, Kofi I am so sorry.”
“What are you doing here?” Kukua asked fiercely and tried to drag Aba away.
Mr. Bentum emerged from the car. Aba pulled herself from Kukua’s grip and wiped tears from her eyes. She faced Mr. Bentum.
“I did not tell the truth, Sir,” she said.
“Aba you are breaking your promise!” Kukua cried angrily.
“Yes,” Aba said gently. “I made a mistake. It is bad to break promises, but telling the truth is more important.”
She went on and told Mr. Bentum about her promise to Kukua and the lie she told to keep her promise.
“Oh, no!” Mrs. Bentum cried. “Why did you do that, Kukua?”
Kukua was ashamed. She ran into the house and returned with a diamond necklace, which she gave to her father.
“I took the necklace,” she said unhappily. “I thought you loved Kofi more than me, and I wanted you to send him away.”
Mr. and Mrs. Bentum were so shocked. They apologized to Kofi, but kind Kofi only smiled and said that he was happy the truth had come out at last.
Mr. Bentum picked up Kukua and told her that he loved her very much. Kukua apologised to Kofi, who embraced her warmly.
Just then Aba’s parents entered. They had followed Aba. When they learned what had happened they were cross with Aba at first.
“Aba was confused when her Mother said it is bad to break promises,” Mr. Bentum said gently. “But she did a noble thing when she risked her friendship with Kukua and told the truth. She is a very noble girl!”
Aba’s parents were proud of her. Kofi and Kukua became very close after that, and Mrs. Bentum also changed her ways and was good to Kofi.
One day at school, Aba said to Kukua, “I am sorry I did not keep my promise, Kukua, but I had to tell the truth.”
“I am proud of you, Aba,” Kukua said. “What I wanted you to do was bad, but you have taught me to speak the truth always. Thanks to you, Kofi and I love each other very much now, and there is happiness in my home. Thank you very much.”
Aba was happy that she had told the truth, and by doing that made Kukua and her family happy.
LESSON TO BE LEARNT
What do you think would have happened if Aba had not told the truth?
It is good to keep promises, but it is always better to speak the truth. The lesson we must all learn is this:
We should always strive to speak the truth, even if it would mean losing something or someone precious.
An incredible children story by one of Ghana’s finest writers, Aaron Ansah-Agyeman on our child-friendly website, The Klever Magg. Read and Share the link…
