Short Story ' THE FUEL OF FAILURE '

The bright moonlight illuminated the whole of Amuko village. The  nocturnal creatures were chirping and humming their melodious songs. Like the tongue amidst the gathering of the teeth, my grandchildren had surrounded me awaiting the moonlight tales.

I took the calabash of palmwine by my side, gulped the content down my throat as I shook my head in a way that made the children burst into an uncontrollable laugh. I could see the eagerness in their faces, and I could sense how badly they wanted to listen to my tales. I cleared my throat thorougly, and I began to talk.

' Good evening, my children. Tonight, I will be talking on something quite different from the usual tales. It's not a story so we don't have a title. How many of you want to be successful? 'I asked.
They all affirmatively chorused.

' Listen to me my children. I know you want to be successful like your parents and even more. But, I will tell you why some of you won't be successful. The first being lack of self-discipline. 

Success requires discipline. Exerting shelf -control over yourself is a central requirement for being successful. Lack of self-discipline makes you more likely to give in to temptations that leads you nowhere.

Distractions, bad habits, and unbeneficial behaviours are the element of lack of self-discipline, my children.  Watch out for them on your journey to your promise land.

Adedeji , I could overheard you yesternight demanding more food when you were still battling with the one you were served.
' Omo mi,' listen and listen carefully, wanting too much too quickly is one weapon that kills most youths on their way to success. You've been told by people to shoot for the stars. Sighs! Close your left ear, open your right ear and hear this. It's a massive problem if you shoot for the stars without thinking about the proper means of transportation that will get you there. Progress starts from the bottom. Don't rush things.

Another thing you should do to fail is making excuses. If you blame other people for your mistakes and problems, you are destined to fail. My children, my children, resist the temptation of finding a "feel-good excuse." Accept responsibility for your actions and start taking matters into your own hands. Other things people do to fail are being resistant to advice, refusal to learn from past mistakes, and procrastination – the thief of time. Let me stop here tonight. '

Then, one of the children got up and said,
' Grandpa, can we call all these things the fuel of failure?".

I adjusted my spectacles as I stood up to see him clearly. Then I asked, ' Are you not Ajibade , the son of Oluwanishola?'

He answered in affirmation and I drew him closer to my self. I gave him a tight hug  with drop of tears from my eyes as I whispered into his ears, ' You are as wise as your late father. They are indeed the fuel of failure.'

Ogunkola Isaac Olushola.