The good you do will always come back to you

The poisoned milk that she had intended for Nyota was taken by her daughter. Her loud wails of pain attracted neighbours who rushed to the scene. ILLUSTRATION | NATION

It was lunch break and no customers had showed up the entire morning, probably owing to the rains. 

Makena loved telling stories almost as much as she loved tea. Now as she settled in her favourite seat holding a huge cup of tea, her workmates knew that one of her stories was coming. They were not disappointed.

She started, “There was once a man who had a wife and a beautiful daughter. He loved them both dearly and gave them everything they wanted. Whenever he went for trips, which was often, he would ensure that he brought them the gifts they had asked him to, no matter how expensive.

"Unfortunately, one day his wife fell ill and passed on. His daughter was too young to be left alone whenever he went on trips, so he decided to marry again. As luck would have it, the second wife too gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The two girls loved each other so much that they were inseparable”. Makena paused and took a sip from her cup.

“The first girl was known as Nyota and the second one Lulu. Every time their father went on a trip, he would bring both girls beautiful gifts.

"Although the gifts were similar, Lulu’s mother felt that Nyota’s gifts were better.  Lulu’s mother began detesting Nyota because she thought that their father favoured her more. Each time the presents came, she made sure that the ones she thought were more beautiful went to her own girl.

GLASSES OF MILK

"Unfortunately, the girls beat her at her game because they shared everything. They even slept on the same bed. Lulu, who was younger, slept near the wall while Nyota slept protectively near the door. Each night, the girls would wake up to have a glass of milk."

Makena paused and sipped on her tea again, drawing impatient sighs from everyone. “Go on please”, they begged. She continued, “Lulu’s mother’s wicked plan was to give Nyota a poisoned glass of milk and make it look like an accident.  As usual, she woke them up and gave them their milk.

"When morning came, she heard Nyota screaming, “Mummy, why isn’t Lulu waking up?" In disbelief and shock, she rushed into the girls’ room and found her unconscious daughter on the bed. The poisoned milk that she had intended for Nyota was taken by her daughter. Her loud wails of pain attracted neighbours who rushed to the scene.

"Lulu’s mother was heard screaming, “The poisoned milk was meant for Nyota. How on earth did you get to drink it, my Lulu? It emerged that Nyota was feeling cold, so her younger sister offered to change places with her. Lulu only survived because of the neighbours’ quick action. Lulu’s mother disappeared, never to be seen again”.

Makena concluded, “The good you do always comes back to you. There was a woman who gave a poor boy who had come begging at her door on a cold evening a warm glass of milk. Years went by and the woman forgot all about it.

"One day, the woman took ill and was rushed to hospital. The bill was rather huge and the woman worried that she would be unable to pay for it. As she pondered her next move, a young-looking doctor came to her bedside and handed her discharge sheets. Confused, she asked to see the person who had paid the bill.

"The young doctor smiled at her and said, “I did. I know that you don’t remember me. I am the orphan boy you gave a warm glass of milk on a cold evening a long time ago. Each time you do good to others, you are doing good to yourself.”