Back to my story: this woman is old, with skin that's been turned to leather by the sun. But her eyes are alive, intelligent, and vibrant, sparkling with barely suppressed mischief. She throws me a look from beneath white lashes as she points with one gnarled finger and demands, "My child, naa this corn you want?"
I shake my head and point towards another roasted corn as I respond, "No Ma. I want this one."
She nods, "70 Naira."
A young man appears and points at a corn of a similar size. "70", she wobbles in her weak voice.
I look at her askance, "Is this my corn not 50 Naira?"
She makes a grunt, the sound dissenting. The young man stares at the corn, muses a little then hurriedly picks up his purchase and strides away.
Mama turns to me her eyes alive with mischief as she switches to perfect English. "How much did you say you want to buy it my dear?"
I look at her surprised, "Fifty. But you refused."
She smiles, displaying tobacco coloured teeth. "Learn this my child: never price anything when a man is there. Wait until he leaves then price."
I don't know about you but I've learned that sometimes the greatest wisdom is learned at the feet of the aged. I filed away the information for the future.
I pull closer, "Why?"
She laughs outright, "Because men never price anything! And the seller will not reduce the price while the man is there."
It made sense. I nod and stretch out a hand to collect my purchase as we trade naughty girly giggles.
Her gaze falls on my empty ring finger and she stares up at me as she switches back to pidgin and issues a final advise, "If you never marry, make sure say the man naa the type wey no go use clear eye find your trouble. But if you don already marry kuma, the advise don late be that."
I assure her the advise is not late and offer my thanks. I know there will be more, I think as I walk away, because I'll be going to see her again...
Note: this is a random picture and not the woman in my post.
Learn the lesson and share the story...
Sherina Okoye (Copyright 2018)
