A Guardian Angel in Time of Need

There was a man named Nathan who resided in a town nearby. His life was ordinary, similar to ours, except for his exceptional kindness towards others. He diligently worked each day to support himself, his family, and an elderly woman named mama Olivia , who lived on the outskirts of the town. During the early hours of the morning, even before day break, he would enter the old woman's compound and leave her breakfast for the day.

When the first light of day arrived, mama Olivia would be met with a cheerful sight—her favorite meal, just like the previous days and years before. She would respond with a smile, revealing her toothless mouth. Unfazed and undisturbed, she would later satisfy her hunger by consuming the food gifted to her by this anonymous guardian angel. Throughout the years, she pondered over the identity of her benefactor. Even in her dreams, she could only catch a glimpse of his back as he departed from her aged dwelling. Whispering to herself, she questioned, "Could it be mama Vincent 's son or someone else?" Eventually, she abandoned her quest. No matter how hard she tried over the years, she couldn't find the answer to satisfy her burning curiosity. Each attempt ended in disappointment. The only thing she was certain of in her mind was that her guardian angel was a man. She reached this conclusion based on the large footprints left in the sand of her home, which couldn't possibly belong to a woman.

This continued for an unspecified number of days, to the point where even Nathan and the old woman had lost track. Then, on a fateful day, the old woman emerged from her room to discover that her usual morning provisions were missing. She was certain that something had gone wrong. Raising her hands to the sky, she cried out, "Oh Allah, I do not know this man, but you do. If there are any difficulties or challenges in his path, please alleviate them. You sent him to me as a helper when I was in need. O you who hears prayers, send him assistance in his time of need." With that, she retreated back inside her abode. Meanwhile, Nathan had awakened in a hospital, appearing lost and with a vacant expression, akin to a bird trapped in the branches of a tree.

The only time Nathan displayed any hint of emotion was when he realized that he had forgotten to visit mama Olivia 's house that day. Concerned, he offered a soft prayer, hoping that someone else would come forward to provide food for the elderly woman. Meanwhile, Nathan 's ten-year-old son, Charles, had been a victim of a hit and run accident. A compassionate passerby who was acquainted with the boy swiftly transported him to the hospital before informing the parents. Upon reaching the hospital, the doctor delivered the distressing news that Charles had suffered a spinal cord fracture, necessitating an immediate surgery costing 1.5 million naira if there was to be any hope of the child walking again. However, Nathan had less than twenty thousand naira to his name, leaving him at a loss as to how he could gather such a significant sum to save his son's life.

All these thoughts and emotions caused Nathan 's heart to beat intensely, resembling the distant sound of a drum played beyond the range of sight. He subsequently left the hospital and sought a tranquil place where he could release his tears and express his grievances to the divine. After approximately thirty minutes, he returned to find the hospital in a state of chaos. Inquiring about the doctor, he discovered that the doctor was currently performing surgery on his son. Upon the doctor's return, Nathan learned that an unidentified man had arrived and covered the medical expenses for many patients, including his own son. He hurriedly rushed to the hospital gate with the intention of expressing his gratitude, but all he found was the imprint of the man's car tire. This experience affirmed that he had indeed received a guardian angel from above during his moment of desperation. Our actions towards others have a tendency to circle back to us. It is a reminder that, above all else, it is essential to embrace our humanity rather than simply striving to be correct.