[Short Story] DON'T DRAG THE TRAY!!

             

A man was sent to the annual national convention of his professional body by his company.

The convention was a congregation of about 10,000 people.

During one of the days at the covention, it was time for lunch and people were being served.

This man saw that, they were serving people beside him left and right but they were not serving him and the people on his row.

He shouted at the ladies serving and they told him to keep calm that there is enough food for everyone and that it will soon get to his turn.

He watched angrily as they passed the tray containing plates of soup and amala before him again twice without serving him.

When he saw another lady carrying the tray, he stood up angrily and dragged the tray of ewedu soup to take his food by force.

Suddenly; the whole tray containing about 6 plates of soup landed on his head as he dragged the tray from the lady's hands.

His white cloth was stained, soiled and spoilt. Pepper got into his eyes and he was shouting,' my eyes ooo, somebody help me, my eyes oo, pepper in my eyes oo, '.

People around him had to drag him out as he could not open his eyes because of the pepper that was still in his eyes. It was a complete show of shame and a reward of impatience. 

Dear reader, many of us are like this man. We feel others are already 'eating' success, breakthroughs, fame, popularity, academic excellence, accomplishments and we are yet to be served our own 'food' and we are being tempted to 'drag the tray' and take our  own food by force.

 Friends, I know waiting period is not an easy period. Atimes we feel our friends have left us behind. Many that we started as single ladies together are now married with children and here we are; still single and no ray of proposal talk less of marriage.

Some of us, many of our friends that we got married the same year are through with child bearing and here we are, no miscarriage once talk less of pregnancy, and we feel like 'dragging the tray'.

Atimes, many of us feel that many of our friends that we started work together have left us behind as we see their career blossoming, we feel the only way we can also see our careers validated is to 'drag the tray'. 

Friends, be encouraged! The one serving this 'food' of marriage, success, promotion, career breakthrough is not a man. HE is the Creator, your Maker!

HE has your own plate of 'food' in HIS tray. At the appointed time, HE will serve you and when you will be eating your own food, those who have eaten before you will watch your mouth as you 'eat' with pleasure.

Don't 'drag the tray'. Don't take short cut. If you get the 'miracle' by 'dragging the tray' you will end up in ridicule as you will later be dragged out in shame as the 'pepper' in your eyes will make the end of your 'miracle' a show of shame. 

If you are waiting for a man, you can waste but if you are waiting on the Creator, your waiting period is never a wasting period!

Wait on the Creator. Your 'food' is closer to you than you think.

Don't drag the tray! Don't drag the tray!! Don't drag the tray!!!

©African stories Team