03/15/2025
A MOTHER’S DREAM PART ONE
The sun was just beginning to rise over the small village of Umuchigo, casting a golden glow on the rooftops. Nneka wiped the sweat from her forehead as she carried a heavy tray of roasted corn to the roadside stall. The air smelled of burning wood, fresh bread from the nearby bakery, and the early morning dew. She had been awake since before dawn, preparing food to sell.
Her body ached, and her feet were swollen from standing for too long, but she did not complain. She had a reason to keep pushing, a reason to endure every hardship—her only son, Ebuka. He was her pride, her joy, the one thing in this world that made all her struggles worth it.
“Good morning, Mama Ebuka,” called out Ijeoma, her neighbor, as she passed by. “You’re up early again.”
Nneka forced a smile. “Money doesn’t wait for anyone, my sister.”
But deep inside, she was tired. Not just physically, but in her soul. She had worked hard all her life, selling food by the roadside, washing clothes for rich families, and doing anything to put food on the table. All for Ebuka. She had promised herself that he would never suffer the way she did. He was brilliant, always coming home with the highest scores in school. If she had to break her back to send him to university, she would.
That morning, as she prepared for another long day, she whispered to herself, “One day, my son will make it. One day, I will rest.”
CHAPTER 2: A MOTHER’S SACRIFICE
The sun was already high in the sky when Nneka finally took a moment to sit down. Her hands were stained with the dust of the marketplace, her wrapper damp with sweat. But the sight of her little stall filled her with pride—this was how she survived, how she fed Ebuka, how she paid his school fees.
She reached into the small wooden box where she kept her earnings and counted the crumpled naira notes. It wasn’t much, but it would be enough to buy food for the week and save a little for Ebuka’s university dream.
Ebuka ran up to her, his school bag bouncing on his back. “Mama! I got the highest score in mathematics again!” he said, his eyes shining with excitement.
Nneka’s heart swelled with pride. She pulled him close and kissed his forehead. “My son, you will be great one day. You will not sell food on the roadside like me. You will wear fine clothes, live in a big house, and drive a car. You will make me proud.”
Ebuka hugged her tightly. “Mama, when I become a big man, I will take care of you. You will never have to work again.”
Tears filled Nneka’s eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. She smiled and cupped his face. “I know, my son. But for now, let me take care of you.”
That night, when Ebuka was asleep, Nneka sat in the dim light of their small home, staring at his schoolbooks. She had never gone to school. She couldn’t even read. But her son… he would be different. He would have everything she never had.
And so, she made a decision. Even if it meant going hungry, even if it meant suffering, she would do everything in her power to make sure he succeeded.
She whispered to herself, “Whatever it takes.”
CHAPTER 3: THE PRICE OF LOVE
Nneka woke up before dawn, as she did every day. The sky was still dark, the village silent except for the distant sound of crickets. She tiptoed past Ebuka, who was still asleep on their small mattress, his chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm. She smiled, brushing a gentle hand over his forehead.
He was the reason she woke up before the sun and returned home long after it had set.
She hurried to the market, setting up her small stall before the morning rush began. The air smelled of fresh bread, roasted plantains, and frying akara. She called out to passersby, waving them over with the warmest smile she could manage despite the exhaustion in her bones.
By midday, she had sold most of her goods. But just as she was packing up, a man in a fine suit approached her. His eyes were sharp, his presence commanding.
“You are Mama Ebuka, right?” he asked.
Nneka wiped her hands on her wrapper and nodded cautiously. “Yes, sir.”
The man gave a small smile. “I am Ebuka’s school principal. I have good news and bad news.”
Nneka’s heart pounded. “What is it?”
“The good news is that your son has been awarded a place in the best university in the country,” the principal said. “His scores are among the highest we have ever seen.”
Nneka gasped, pressing a hand to her chest. “Praise be to God! My son—my son will go to university!”
Then, the principal’s face darkened. “But… there is a problem. The scholarship does not cover all the fees. He needs money for accommodation, books, and food. If these expenses are not covered in time, he will lose his place.”
Nneka’s heart, which had soared moments ago, crashed back down. “How much?” she whispered.
The number he mentioned made her legs weak. It was more than she had ever held in her hands. More than she could ever make in years of selling corn and akara.
She gripped the edge of her stall, willing herself not to cry. “I will find the money,” she said firmly. “I don’t know how, but I will.”
The principal nodded, pity in his eyes. “You have a good son, Mama Ebuka. Don’t let this chance slip away.”
As he walked away, Nneka felt the weight of the world press down on her shoulders.
She looked up at the sky and whispered, “God, help me. I have come too far to fail now.”
CHAPTER 4: A MOTHER’S DECISION
Nneka barely slept that night. She lay awake, staring at the wooden ceiling of their small house, thinking of only one thing—how to find the money for Ebuka’s university.
The next morning, she gathered every naira she had saved. It was not even close to enough. She thought of borrowing, but who would lend such a large amount to a poor food seller? She thought of begging, but pride held her back.
By midday, she made a decision. She wrapped her only expensive wrapper—the one she had kept for special occasions—and walked to the wealthiest part of town. She had washed clothes for rich families before; perhaps someone would be kind enough to lend her money.
At the first house, they turned her away. At the second, they laughed. At the third, the madam of the house shook her head. “Nneka, nobody gives money for free. If you want this much, you must be ready to do anything.”
Nneka’s stomach twisted. She knew what the woman meant.
She clenched her fists. “I will find another way.”
She walked home, her feet aching, her heart heavy. But as she stepped inside, she saw Ebuka sitting at the table, his eyes shining with excitement as he read a book.
Her son had a future. He had a chance.
And so, Nneka made the ultimate sacrifice.
That night, she returned to the wealthy woman’s house.
She did what she had to do.
And the next morning, she held the money in her hands—the price of a mother’s love.
CHAPTER 5: THE COST OF A PROMISE
Nneka clutched the bundle of money tightly as she walked home, her steps heavy with shame. She had done what no mother should have to do. But as she stepped into their small house and saw Ebuka sleeping peacefully, she reminded herself—this was for him.
The next morning, she handed over the money to the school. The principal looked surprised. “You got it so soon?”
Nneka forced a smile. “A mother will do anything for her child.”
That evening, when Ebuka returned home, he found her sitting outside, staring at the setting sun. He rushed to her, excitement dancing in his eyes. “Mama! They said I can start university! You made it happen!”
Tears welled in her eyes. She pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly. “My son, you must promise me something.”
Ebuka frowned. “What is it, Mama?”
She cupped his face. “No matter what happens, no matter where life takes you… never forget the woman who gave you everything.”
Ebuka smiled. “I will never forget you, Mama. One day, I will take care of you. You will rest, I promise.”
Nneka smiled, but deep inside, she knew—some sacrifices are never repaid.
Will Ebuka remember his mother’s sufferings?
Watch out for part 2
