SATURDAY NIGHTS WITH SPARKS

#talesofafoodie

 So.... a couple of months ago, I was at “The Place"; I was hungry and needed to feeeed!!! I went over to the counter and I get confused. 'sooooo much food...' A nice waiter shows up and greets me but since my ears were blocked because I was listening and dancing to my favorite songs, I could not hear him!! But he's patient and smiles, and greets me again louder; I took off my earpiece and answered him. I told him I was confused because I could see too much food. He smiled and waited patiently as I finally settled for one. I asked for one and a half portion of rice to go with stew, two portions of plantain, 2 pieces of meat, took a drink and water. He raised my receipt and I used my debit card to pay.

I got a comfortable seat so that I could use all the time in the world to eat. ‘Mehn, I eat real slow’. I started eating and I was struggling with the first piece of meat, when I glanced at my receipt, everything was okay apart from the meat. It reflected one meat instead of two. ‘Honest mistake right? Clearly not my fault’. I started contemplating whether to go back and pay a miserly N300....or just leave, 'nobody would notice.’ I thought.

Sincerely, I didn't want to put the waiter in any trouble because it would make him seem careless and sadly, I couldn't recognize him anymore because there was someone else that looked like him.

Finally, I summoned some courage and quietly asked the guy at the counter if he was the same waiter that served me, he couldn't tell too. I explained to him and quietly as I wanted it, raised a separate receipt for the meat, and I paid with my debit card...again. I felt soooooo good when I was leaving, not because the waiter thanked me repeatedly leaving me pink, but because the joy from inside was indescribable. Doing good is right and sure feels right too.

Funny enough, I didn't eat the second piece of meat and that's enough reason to "not pay"...but everything you do, good or bad, starts one step at a time.

Moral lesson - It takes nothing to be honest. From a piece of meat....to the money on the desk......to government contract, to collecting bribe at work.......to pilfering cash... It only takes self control and a lot of discipline.

Start doing right today..... One step at a time...

About The Author:

Here is what Andikan Inyang also known as 'Sparks' has to say about herself.....................

As a Chemical Engineering graduate, former Immigration Officer and present day banker.....and most importantly, a foodie, I hide behind my pen.......therein lies my strength. I hope to pursue a career in writing and explore the world of poetry. So help me God.