Beyond the Meaning in my World of Controversy — BMWC

The parable of the new recruit who tried to teach the originator the rudiments of the game

Instead of trying to prove a point by outsmarting the masters of the game, appeal to their conscience so that they can allow you to win some rounds

Jah Guide, the lucky one among the numerous new recruits had early opportunity to embark on some special cocoa weighing assignment which should have been given to the experienced old servants. His schedule was so special in the sense that not only was he the first new recruit to get such a lucrative assignment but he also happened to be the first staff of the company to be dispatched on a lone ranger assignment on that busy route. Knowing that it was the first time it happened, he became swelled head and started to undermine the old guys. Meanwhile, these old guys have over time acquired tremendous experience on similar assignments and therefore understand the secrets within and the essence of making returns with better seeds — I mean the seeds that are not affected by akate.

Unknown to him, the commander would pardon any assignee; new or old who returned from his route improperly, a long rope to either hung or redeem himself. On your first failure, you would be pardoned because it is assumed you just started learning on the job. On the second failure, you are given the Simon chance; and when you fail again, that ends it. But ignorantly, he again went on free shopping spree when he was given the Simon chance. Although the commander loved his daring attitude, he was of the opinion that one too many mistakes is no more a mistake; instead a decision that must be stopped.

There were a lot of signals in the air likewise a few of the old guys were also prompting him to sit up and try to be politically correct but he was simply too immersed in rewriting the basic codes of the game to outwit the originator. Like the baron who goes on one trip and hits a jackpot therefore finds it difficult to stop, Jah Guide kept to his routine forgetting that the commander did not become a commander overnight. He has been through the rigorous ways and means trainings, and has also been part of several practical sessions therefore, very conversant with how the excel sheets function after each sack is weighed. As part of his prequalification criteria, he also ever served as the officer in charge of recording the time intervals between each weighing session so as to estimate the number of sacks that could be weighed in a day. This he has practiced many years before the new recruits got enrolled, but Jah Guide was simply unaware. That continued till the unexpected announcement was made in front of everyone.

At the last parade before the industrial strike, Jah Guide was unfortunately dethroned and replaced by Officer Selfless to the excitement of the old guys. As they smiled and mocked him, one of the old guys who felt neglected for years said, there is time for everything. He also added that if only Jah Guide had asked for guidance without attempting to till, sow and rip concurrently in the dry season, he could have been told that the masters of the game can afford to compromise their tactics when the game is on; but they are still mindful of the score margin. If they loosen up the defense for you to score and you score more than necessary to embarrass them, they will deploy the hard tacklers in the midfield to crush you. But if the scores will not adversely affect the outcome, they will squint like the pussy cat and let go so that they can also enjoy some of the losing bonus.

Now, in the shoes of Jah Guide, you may dare to introduce new techniques to increase the returns but you just cannot make a mistake of assuming that the commanders are ignorant of the average time interval the scale can become faulty hence they have no choice than to accept whatever returns you submit. If you tell them the day was bad when in fact, the tally for the day was already sent to them by the aggrieved mystery client before everyone returned to base; you will only encourage them to mark you down. Therefore, when by virtue of your vast experience you feel you can now teach them the rudiments of the game, you may just be pressing the inverse button.

Lessons from a related story: When your wicked step-mother gives you money to buy her Auntie Araba’s delicious rice and stew, do not make the mistake of eating your part and return home with tossed boiled rice and stew to evade being caught. Your friend may encourage you to eat it and lie that it got mixed up when you were running to get home early, but I tell you, you might just be stealing from yourself at this time.

I hope you got the drift. But just like how everything we hear or see has another meaning apart from what is obvious, the controversy in the above may just be too confusing such that you may have to go over it again to be able to traverse the twists and turns so as to deduce its relevance. Although you need the understanding now to help you avoid the trap that is ahead of you, do not stress yourself; just let go. That notwithstanding, I can assure you that the very day you will get ensnared by the trap, the understanding will immediately dawn on you with ease. It is your call.

Evans J. Taurus