Recently there was this talk about a person who became comfortably rich in only a couple of years. Yes, we’re in times where you could even be filthy rich before you have to buy a new pair of socks. Don’t ask me how, because I don’t know. I mean it, I don’t really know how they do it. Of course you hear lots of stories of overnight multi-millionaires who hardly had for taxi fare a few months back but all of sudden are seen going around in the most expensive and gorgeous cars in the city. (You can use the term ‘gorgeous’ for cars too, can’t you? Just to make sure I am not accused of misplacing words that were meant for the very few! After all, not everybody isn’t actually gorgeous, though many of us think we are even more than gorgeous. Just making sure I’m not trespassing!
So the rumors were, (because they were nothing but rumors until someone comes with the proof.) One theory was that some had heard that the fellow had a very rich relative and that person must have given him to enjoy the luxurious money can famously bring. Only the person who came up with the suggestion was convinced that was what really happened. The other theory seems to have the backing of the rest of the group. Simply put the guy was involved in some underground illicit even criminal work probably with other dyed-in-the-wool criminals. The guy already having more than a few dark spots this was an easy option for all.
Not a long time back thinking about making oneself rich was luxury for a few. Because mounting the wealth summit is not as easy task braved by every man in the street. No; it was far more difficult than anyone could have imagined. Of course there were those who starred at the real bottom say, like being shoeshine boys and made it all the way to the peak of it all. And what’s interesting about such people most never tried to hide their past since it was evidence of the iron-strong dedication and discipline they were made of.
Now it’s safe to say we’re in much more changed times where it seems the lucky ones break the bank without breaking a sweat! I mean when people about whom you’ve a couple of important details suddenly are wealthy, rich or whatever you call them, that raises more than a few eyebrows. And the ways they try to display their riches are neither wise nor humble. It’s astounding that such people can’t even do it without attracting much attention. And there seem to be uncountable and mostly not much visible ways of joining the rich camp these days the sad part being the man in the street or the rank and file have no idea what they are!
While we are at it, is it only me feeling a little confused at many adverts on TV as they sound they were meant only for a certain section of the society, those who have the money to spare! You look at the advertisements and you feel like they’re saying to you, “Now, don’t you have any funny ideas just because the images are flashing on your home screens. Sorry to disappoint you, but these aren’t meant for you. Not now anyway! These are just review of some of the things awaiting you once you join the rich species. Just be patient and maybe who knows you might hit the bull’s eye!” Yes it’s all about the money, isn’t it? Money makes you talk, lack of it forces you to keep your lips sealed. Ha! Of course when some way or another you get rich then you can sit back, watch those adverts and say, “Now, they’re talking my language!”
Now I’d not be dumb enough to ask what would you do if you are suddenly loaded with really much money. Say, through the lottery or some event which could be a close call to miracle you get thirty million birr. That’s a lot of money! You’d think managing it would be easy. You can say, “Once I get the money you can leave the rest to me.” Of course you have first to live through the shock of suddenly being blessed with tens of millions birr before you even start thinking of ways to enjoy it, whether you deserve it or not!
Now what would I do if such money by some miracle landed on my lap? Maybe my first instinct might be buying one of those twenty-million plus cars. These days every other guy seems to be driving one of them. Where, oh where from do they get that kind of money! So twenty-plus of the thirty gone for a car. That’s a big chunk of money. Twenty-plus million before I even had the chance to pop the cork of the most expensive champagne French wine.
By the way, being rich isn’t enough, so they say. You’ve to be good at being rich. What! What in the world does that mean? Maybe it might mean you have to give much of it to the needy. Or you might be expected to be good enough to take almost every other guy in town on night-out excursions. I’m not sure there are many people who are good at being rich. Yes being rich by itself is not a security clearance to go into others’ heads. But that having been said what do you really mean by ‘good at being rich?’ Well that could be a tricky question and I can tell you unanimity in answer would be the last thing you can expect.
The stories you hear about rich people these days could be so bizarre and out-of-this-world you wonder on which planet in the Milky Way you’re living! Of course you’d think you could pick out the truth from the fake quite easily by using the simplest logic and such approaches. “Come on! There is no way he could make so many millions in a few months engaged in what you say he is engaged in. It just doesn’t add up!” No, it isn’t that easy!
Hands that Hold the Key
Me:- Before You get angry with me I have something to say. I came all the way because I have so much on me that I want to tell You!
HIM: – Why should I be angry with you! What is the problem with you people these days? First you bang the doors like there was some emergency; and when I open them what do you do! You try to pick a fight with me!
Me:- No! Absolutely no! I’m not trying to pick a fight with You? I have to say you’ve broken my heart by thinking about me picking a fight with you!
HIM: – What do you expect me to say! Can’t you see? You didn’t even greet me properly like you used to do! That shows me things are fast changing with all of you down there.
Me:- Sorry about that. I think I was overreacting. As I was saying there is so much on mind and sorry again. Of course I’m not telling you anything You don’t know. You must be watching all that’s happening with us from one end of the world to the other.
HIM: – Oh that’s what you think! You think that I’ve nothing else to do except watching you exterminate each other all over the place! By the way, I have to tell you I was forced to say what I said earlier.
Me:- I don’t understand.
HIM: – All you people down there seem to be doing is picking fights all over the place. Every day, every hour the only thing you do is pick up fights at one place or another. Even places which were much more peaceful are these days sounding that they want to join the chaos. And what do you want me to think!
Me:- Have we, have I offended You that much! It shows all over your voice you’re not comfortable with my presence!
HIM: – Let’s get into why you came to me today. If you are thinking of asking me to shorten the Lent season for you forget it. Maybe it is one of these times which makes many of you really start thinking about peace.
Me:- No it that isn’t way I came. Earth is being turned into complete mess and we who are created in Your likeness are suffering like we never have! Even the places, which used to be quieter and more peaceful are little by little being invaded by chaos of all kinds. And what’s more…
HIM: – Wait, wait. I just can’t understand you people. This isn’t the first time you brought up this issue with me. I thought I’ve made that clear by now. Whatever you are thinking of asking me to do probably doesn’t concern me.
Me:- How can You say that? Everything that happens down there concerns You! You are not to turn Your back on us when we, created in your likeness…
HIM: – Cut it out! I say just cut out those kinds of phrases. Do you think by repeatedly mentioning I created you in My likeness, you can convince me into involving in chaos you people created for yourselves and are now engulfed by it! Can’t you people ever understand that you and only cm clean house since you are the creators of the problem!
Me:- But we are so helpless and hopeless there is no other place we can turn to except to You. You are the only one and how can you expect us think otherwise!
HIM: – Yes, today I’m facing a different you. You seem to have change so much and I don’t think they are charges that would make me comfortable. Can I ask you a question?
Me:- Of course, you can! Now it is you who sounds changed.
HIM: – Oh really! Anyway what I wanted to ask you is…are you challenging me?
Me:- How could I do that! How could I ever do that! What makes you think I’m challenging You?
HIM: – Well, truly speaking what you down there say about Me and My Kingdom these days has assumed various, strange tones. I think there might be some coup attempt against Me!
Me:- No! No! No! I’m not hearing this. I refuse to admit I heard you saying such things!
HIM: – Anyways, you said there is another place you can turn to. I’m sorry to say this but you’re wrong about that.
Me:- I can’t imagine where to you except us to turn!
HIM: – Towards yourselves. Turn towards yourselves. It is easier for the very people who caused the problem to try to rectify it because they know what they did to make things so chaotic. I can tell you that your only salvation doesn’t come from Me but from yourselves. After every bit of trouble and chaos is caused by yourselves and not anyone else. The finger on the trigger is yours and not Mine!
Me:- But, if you wouldn’t be angry with me I strictly oppose what you’re saying. We’re Your children and Your responsibilities. You can’t abandon us while in so much trouble!
HIM: – You are not opposing, you’re trying to dictate Me.”
Me:- No, I’m not! No I’m not! I must have offended very much! You haven’t been as forceful during all those times I came to you.
HIM: – I’m not offended. I’m never offended by you people.
Me:- I feel comfortable at hearing You say that.
HIM: – Really! You think that is a compliment! Well, it isn’t.
Me:- Now, You confuse me. You have never been so agitated.
HIM: – Agitated! Did you say agitated! I can’t believe You have the audacity to use such a term?
Me:- Me and my big mouth. Sorry if my presence today disturbed You in any way. Please don’t let what I said offend you any more than it already did.
HIM: – Oh; now you’re trying to console Me! Isn’t that a little out of the way for people so burdened by avalanches and so weak to mend their own broken lives try to advice others? Anyway I wish you that your problems would grow less painful and fewer than they are now. But once again you hold the key to solving those problems. What matters is in whose hands the key is! And if you’ve the dedication and the decency to make a difference believe me you can make things far better in no time. Goodbye.
Me:- Thanks!
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 30 MARCH 2025
