The gentle evening breeze moved swiftly through the beautiful Rayfield compound. The sun was about setting and it cast an orange glow in the compound as it always does. The children crowded around Gwei Kaneng’s kitchen, their noses catching the sharp scent of roasted groundnut. They were ready for stories. They were always ready. But today, something feels off. The children’s usual eagerness is replaced by nervousness and anxiety.
While Gwei Kaneng was turning her roasted groundnut on a woven tray, Nandom leaned over to Nenpo and whispered something in his ears. Nenpo in turn whispered into Davou’s ears. In an instance, ripples of laughter and debates filled the air. Everyone had an opinion as the children were all arguing in low tones except for Timbyen whe sat still. Her hands folded, and her eyes lowered. She seems to be in a different world, alone with her thoughts.
Davou finally broke the tension that was building. “Gwei” he began, “there’s something we have to tell you. Timbyen did a strange thing today.” Gwei Kaneng lifted her eyebrows. She was curious, but she maintained a very calm tone. “What happened, my children?” Gwei asked. Nenpo burst out , “She gave water to a complete stranger! Gwei that’s a man we all know nothing about. He met us playing outside the gate, then he walked to us and asked for water. We all ignored him and ran inside the compound but Timbyen went inside their room and brought him a cup of water. Gwei, what if the man was dangerous?” The children all nodded in unison except for Timbyen who was still folding her hands. “Gwei, the world is not safe anymore”. Someone could have hurt her,” Davou continued. Timbyen lowered her gaze as she spoke. She was trying to fight back her tears. “But Gwei, he looked very tired and exhausted, just like someone who’s been traveling for days on foot.” Her voice became soft but steady. “Gwei, he only asked for drinking water and that’s all I gave him. Our Sunday School teacher always tells us to give water to anyone who is thirsty. ”
Gwei Kaneng softened her gaze. She scanned each of their faces, offering a gentle, patient smile as her gaze meets each face. “You’re right, my children. The world today is turning something else; like this is not the world we used to know. Sometimes, showing kindness can come with a huge risk. Sometimes visitors may not mean well. If you remember when Dr. Ahmed was robbed, he stopped his car to help a seemingly helpless woman and before he knew it, her gang members ambushed him and took away his car and all the assets in the car.”
Dr. Ahmed’s story made the children turn all stare at Timbyen. She also looked sad, caught in-between regret and fear. Gwei Kaneng sipped water from the cup besides her and continued. “My children, I want you to hear me. No act of kindness itself is ever wrong. As long as your intentions are pure and honest, and you have no secret plan or hidden motives. Every act of kindness returns back to us. The return may not come immediately, but it always come. Even if someone pays your kindness with evil, God always finds a way to repay us” Gwei Kaneng paused, took a deep breath, and took another sip of water.
The children were very still. They’re all leaning in, and anxiously waiting, because every time Gwei pauses, takes in deep breaths , and sips water, it can only mean one thing; a story was forthcoming. They all knew this.
Gwei Kaneng stretched her hands and carried the woven tray on the stool beside her. The groundnuts she was roasting is now cold. She fetched a handful and poured everything in Davou’s hands. He had to use both hands to receive because one hand couldn’t contain everything. Gwei Kaneng ensured every child was given a portion of the groundnuts. She returned the tray and the remaining groundnuts on the stool, and cleared her throat. That was a familiar ritual the children always relish. “Let me tell you a story about Danyam,” Gwei began. “He lived in Vom, my mother’s village. Vom is not so far from here. Danyam was very kind. In fact, you wouldn’t be far from the truth if you say, he was the kindest person in the whole community. His laughter was really genuine, he was easygoing, humble, peace loving, and always present. He always kept his doors open for everyone, whether in the day or at night. If he had food, he serves his visitor generously. And if he had no food? He’d serve his guests mangoes, oranges, pawpaw, or any available fruit from his garden. He shared everything with anyone who is in need. He always feels fulfilled whenever he is of help to someone. His home became a garden for everyone in the community. Danyam never sends anyone away. Neighbors, travelers, and even complete strangers can always stop and drink water from the borehole in front of his house.
Sometimes, the travelers may be tired and exhausted from their journey and Danyam would permit them to shower in the public bathroom in his house. The travelers always leave his house refreshed and recharged.
The children’s eyes grew round with awe. They were all very attentive to Gwei Kaneng. Plangnan whispered almost inaudibly, “Wow, Even strangers?” Gwei Kaneng heard her and replied. “Yes Plang, even total strangers. You know, people in the community started taking advantage of his kindness and generosity. Like Oliver Twist, they always kept coming back asking for more, over and over and over again. Still, Danyam remained the same. When one tells him he’s being used, he would often smile and say, ‘If someone uses me, it means I am still useful. The day I stop being useful is the day I die.’ For Danyam, kindness was like a way of life. It was his soul’s purpose.”
Gwei Kaneng leaned in, and lowered her voice almost to a whisper. “One fateful day, two young men were traveling on their motorbike. They ran out of fuel in Vom and there was no filing station still open by that time. The men were stuck in the cold night, pushing the heavy bike with hope they’ll get help or find a fuel black market to buy from. No one stopped to help them and they couldn’t find a black market. That night Danyam was returning home on his bike, when he noticed them. He didn’t hesitate for even a second. He stopped his engine, opened his tank, and shared some fuel with them. Without asking questions about their destination, or even knowing their names. Danyam just wished them a safe journey back and he rode home. ”
The children nodded, picturing everything in their minds uttering one or two inaudible words among themselves. Gwei Kaneng let them process the story for a moment and continued. “But listen,” Her tone changed. More serious now. “Danyam never knew that little act of kindness would come back to him. One night, he was heading home to Jos in his car at night when his car got stopped by four armed robbers. They were masked and heavily armed with guns and matchets. At that period in time, highway robbers rarely let their victims go alive. He began to utter his last prayer, quietly. He was dragged out of his car and one of them was already cocking his gun. It was right then, two of the robbers recognized him. They happened to be the same young men that he had helped with fuel on his way home the other night. They spoke to their partners, ‘Let him go. This man is good. He helped us when no one else did.’ After a lengthy argument amongst the armed robbers, they decided they’ll let him go.
The children all exhaled deeply, the air was filled with tension and surprise. Nenpo leaned forward and asked, “And they really allowed him to go?” His eyes were round and wide, deeply searching. Gwei Kaneng gave in a small but steady smile. “Yes,” she replied. “They really let him go, causing him no harm.” She paused for a moment again, letting the moment sink in. She continued , “Listen my children. Every act of kindness we dish out always circles back to us. Sometimes, it wont come from the person you helped. But one thing I’m sure of is that it always returns. I know things are no longer the way they used to be. The world has really changed. I want you all to stay alert. However, never let your kindness to slip away.” The children were silent as Gwei Kaneng’s words sank in. The children processed her words in silence. By the end of the story, Timbyen’s face had brightened. Finally relieved, she asked, “So, Gwei, it wasn’t a bad thing that I gave the stranger water?” Gwei Kaneng met her gaze with warm eyes. “No, Timbyen. You did well. Kindness is a virtue that should never be lost, but always remember to always apply caution too. You know, Plateau people are known for their hospitality and care for others. It’s always been a tradition we hold close.”
The children now had time for their groundnuts, they ate quietly and thoughtfully. Their smiles fully returned. Their hearts now light and minds recharged. They now clearly understood: Kindness counts. Even the smallest act of kindness can mean everything to someone.