A Tailor's tale by Khadijat Babansule 


A Tailor's Tale
by Khadijat Babansule 



Chidi was a tailor who had just moved to Abuja from his village. He had heard that Abuja was the city of dreams, where anyone could make it big with the right skills and attitude. He also heard that Abuja was all about packaging, meaning that appearance and presentation mattered a lot in the city.

Chidi wanted to impress his new customers and make a name for himself as a tailor. He decided to dress up in a suit and tie every day, even though the weather was hot and humid. He thought that by looking smart and professional, he would attract more clients and earn more money.

He also decided to hawk his services around the streets, carrying a sign that read "Chidi the Tailor: Quality and Affordable". He hoped that by being mobile and visible, he would reach more people and get more orders.

However, things did not go as planned for Chidi. Instead of getting admiration and respect, he got mockery and ridicule. People laughed at him for wearing a suit in the heat, and called him names like "mad man", "clown", and "fool". Some even threw stones and water at him, ruining his suit and sign.

Chidi was confused and hurt by the people's reaction. He did not understand why they did not appreciate his packaging and his skills. He wondered if he had made a mistake by coming to Abuja.


One day, as he was walking along the street, he saw a group of young men wearing jeans and T-shirts. They looked cool and confident, and they had a lot of customers around them. Chidi approached them and saw that they were also tailors, but they had a different approach. They had set up a small stall with a sewing machine, a mannequin, and some fabrics. They were making and selling trendy clothes on the spot, and they had a sign that read "Abuja Fashion: Fast and Fresh".



Chidi was amazed by their business model and their success. He asked them how they did it, and they told him their secret. They said that they did not care about packaging, but about satisfying their customers' needs and wants. They said that they followed the latest fashion trends and adapted them to the local market. They said that they offered convenience and variety to their customers, and that they charged reasonable prices.

They also told Chidi that he was wasting his time and energy by wearing a suit and hawking around the streets. They said that he was not only making himself uncomfortable, but also alienating his potential customers. They said that he should change his style and his strategy, and join them in their stall.

Chidi was humbled and enlightened by their words. He realized that he had been wrong about Abuja and about packaging. He thanked them for their advice and their offer, and he agreed to join them. He took off his suit and tie, and put on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. He threw away his sign, and picked up a pair of scissors and a needle. He smiled and greeted his new colleagues and customers, and he felt a new sense of hope and happiness.

He learned that Abuja was indeed the city of dreams, but not because of packaging, but because of passion and performance.

I hope you enjoyed my story. 😊

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