NOSTALGIA - by Phann Tom

Do you ever wish to go back?To the good old days.Days when we were worry free and oblivious to the problems of the world.Days when ignorance was bliss. I don't know about you but those days were the best,I wish I could go back.Days when little pieces of meat were enough to put smiles on our faces.Days when we could play in the rain and be happy.And when we were swindled of the money we got from visitors. In the morning,you would see some children crying that they didn't want to go to school.Some mothers would almost peel their children's skin all in the name of bathing. Those days were bliss.They would ask the child to hold the edge of the bowl while they scrubbed their foot.Being given 20 naira to school was a privilege, if you got 50 naira,your father was a rich man. In the afternoon,Garri with cold water and fish,groundnut or sugar was enough to do the trick. After grumbling about not wanting to do assignments, we'll be forced to sleep because the sun was blazing. In the evening everyone would come out to play.There were different games and sand was the most used resource.No child would want to go inside to drink water for fear that they would be held captive by their mothers. In the night,we would run around with big bellies that contained our dinner.The elders in the house would gather the children and tell them Alo.They would teach them songs and share their wisdom. We were happier,we did not care about who had the biggest phone or if we were popular. Things were determined differently then. Days when we were promised gifts if we passed our exams. People used to be so appreciative and happy.  If your father had a big generator,you were considered wealthy.If for some reason,you managed to have a phone before completing your secondary school education,oh you would be king. And oh,if luck was not on your side and you lost money,you were to be considered dead.If you were unhappy then,it was probably because of something so simple,not as complicated as now. Ninety percent of children were respectful.You would see and elder and your two knees would touch the floor.You would see and elder carrying something and lend a helping hand.Days when you didn't have to be afraid that you will be used for ritual if you pointed someone on the right direction. Those days,we used to be so full of life and energy.We were happy and less grumpy.Guys didn't have to think of how to be a billionaire at 16.Girls didn't have to think of how to keep their relationship from falling apart. You didn't have to walk far to find true love.You didn't have to always doubt people's motives.You didn't have to think of what you'd eat tomorrow night from today. I don't know about you but I want to go back.Back to the days where you didn't have to go far to be happy.Back to the days where birthdays were something to celebrate yourself and not something to spite others with.Back to the days where sachet water was 5 naira and you needed just 100 naira to make noodles and eggs.Back to the days when children thought of eloping from home with just 20 naira  Those were the good old days.

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