A change of attitude....... By Khadijat Babansule

Once, there was a 17-year-old boy named Tade who had a bad habit of stealing. He would often sneak out to his mom's room at night to steal,lie to his Dad and get extra money. He did not care about the consequences of his actions, and he enjoyed spending the money he stole on drugs and alcohol.

His mother, Shade, was very worried about him. She tried to talk to him and persuade him to stop stealing, but he would not listen. He would shout at her and tell her to leave him alone. He hated his mother's nagging and thought she was too strict and boring. He felt that she did not understand him or his problems.

His grandmother, Nneka, lived with them and witnessed their constant arguments. She loved her grandson and wanted him to change his ways. She knew that his mother's nagging was not working, so she decided to use a different approach. She used wisdom and kindness to make him see why he should stop stealing.

One day, she called him to her room and gave him a gift. It was a watch that belonged to his grandfather, who had passed away a few years ago. She told him that it was a very precious and valuable watch, and that his grandfather had worked hard to buy it. She said that his grandfather had left it for him, and that he wanted him to have it.

Tunde was surprised and touched by his grandmother's gesture. He thanked her and put the watch on his wrist. He felt a sense of pride and respect for his grandfather, who had been a honest and hardworking man. He looked at his grandmother and saw the love and hope in her eyes. He realized that she cared for him and wanted him to be happy.

She then told him a story about how his grandfather had once been tempted to steal, but had resisted and chosen the right path. She said that his grandfather had faced many difficulties and challenges in his life, but had never given up or resorted to dishonesty. She said that his grandfather had always believed that honesty was the best policy, and that stealing was wrong and harmful.

She explained to him how stealing could ruin his life and the lives of others. She said that stealing was a crime that could land him in jail or worse. She said that stealing was a sin that could make him lose his dignity and self-respect. She said that stealing was a curse that could bring him bad luck and misfortune.

She also told him how honesty could bless his life and the lives of others. She said that honesty was a virtue that could earn him trust and respect. She said that honesty was a skill that could help him succeed and prosper. She said that honesty was a gift that could make him happy and peaceful.

She asked him to think about his future and what he wanted to achieve. She asked him to think about his family and how much they loved him. She asked him to think about his grandfather and how proud he would be of him. She asked him to think about his watch and how precious and valuable it was.

She then hugged him and told him that she loved him and believed in him. She told him that he had the potential to be a good and successful person. She told him that he had the choice to change his ways and follow the right path. She told him that she would always support him and pray for him.

Tunde was moved by his grandmother's words and actions. He felt a pang of guilt and regret for his past deeds. He felt a spark of hope and motivation for his future. He felt a surge of love and gratitude for his grandmother. He decided to stop stealing and change his ways.

He apologized to his mother and promised to be a good son. He stopped hanging out with his bad friends and started focusing on his studies. He stopped wasting his money on drugs and alcohol and started saving for his goals. He stopped lying and cheating and started being honest and responsible.

He became a good boy and made his family proud. He also made his grandfather proud, who was watching over him from heaven. He was happy and peaceful, and he thanked his grandmother for her wisdom and kindness.

One day, he was watching TV and saw that his friends had been arrested for robbery. They had been caught red-handed by the police and were facing serious charges. He felt sorry for them and realized how lucky he was to have escaped their fate. He thanked his grandmother again for saving him from a life of crime and misery.

He learned a valuable lesson that day: Honesty is the best policy, and stealing is wrong and harmful. He vowed to never steal again and to always be honest and good. He lived by this principle and became a successful and respected person in his society. He was happy and peaceful, and he thanked his grandmother for her wisdom and kindness.