Sometime back a group of us were talking about everything and anything. Well, we thought that was what we were talking about, but the fact is the anything and everything mainly focused about one thing, ‘enemies,’ in our daily lives.
The whole thing started when a guy whose steep rise up the financial ladder comes to a screeching his downfall happening in record time. One of suggested that his enemies who were jealous of his success were behind his fall. “They were the ones who did this.” The fact was that he used to spend money like it grew in trees in his backyard.
But then, behind bad things that happen to us there is also ‘the enemy.’ Even if the guy drinks his bank account dry, the enemies are responsible! They were the ones who encouraged him to drink seven days a week. How can you ‘encourage’ a forty something guy to drink, unless he has the mind of a five year old.
It the end of the academic year and this high school guy comes home his face looking like it would fall down any minute.
“What is the matter son? Are you sick?”
No. I’m alright mom.”
“You’re not alright. I can see it on your face.”
“They felled me mom!”
“What do you mean they failed you?”
“I don’t understand son.”
“I have to repeat ninth grade.”
His mother loses to point the finger;
“I knew it. I knew it! I knew our enemies were in that school! Don’t worry son, I’ll take care of it.
But, dear Mom, your son isn’t that brilliant. He failed because you gave him that smartphone and is busy with his games and not his studies.
The husband comes home angry and ready to take on the world single-handed.
“What’s the problem honey?” a worried
wife asks.
“It is about the raise I told you about.”
“What about it”
They give raises to almost to everyone and they pass me over once again!”
“What! How can they do this to you?” and then she unravels ‘the riddle.’ “Your enemies are behind this.” he agrees! He nods his head in agreement so many times his neck muscles are overworked. But Mr. husband, you never told her about those warning letters you got the past few months. You didn’t tell her the last letter ended on your table a few days back. And you talk about enemies!
There is this humorous story of a lady who always is looking for fights. One late afternoon she shouts orders to her maid;
“Bring me my netela. I am going out looking for a fight.”
As she opens the front door standing there was her best friend.
“What is the hurry? Where are you going at this late hour?”
I’m going out looking for a fight.”
“You’re always looking for fights; aren’t you tired of it!”
No, she isn’t tired of it as her friend was going to find out. She once again calls out to her maid.
“Forget the netela. I’ve got me a fight here.”
Yes, the sad part is many of seem to be caught in this “Bring my netela” sort of thing looking for imagined enemies all over the place. Believe me you’ll get them in their dozens; like this lady did on her front door in the form of her best friend! It’s a vicious circle, this “Bring my netela” thing.
Not that the entire world is in love with you; Not that every man wants to treat you to a whole month of meals and drinks; not that every woman wants to blow you kisses; But then you being just another almost invisible guy why should every other guy be your enemy!
The Ethiopian Herald February 14/2021