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The year was 1997. I had just finished a 1 year program in Lagos State University, Epe campus. I finished the exams with the last ounce of any food and last penny of every legal tender. I was broke! It was in this state of literal brokenness that a ‘friend’ taught me a vital lesson, in a most painful way.

Growing up was rough and tough. We had to endure a lot of pain. We were familiar with the pangs of hunger. We survived rather than thrived! But we survived!

My mother was a master of making the most out of the least. She'd conjure edibles from virtually anything. Nothing went to waste, everything was useful! If you know, you know!

But even though we weren't affluent, we held our shoulders high. We had a sense of pride. Momma ensured we did. We understood that the situation we were in was temporary. We had hope.

My school uniform was almost always severally patched, but they were ironed and gatored! I didn't always understand the combination of the mixture in my plate, but I ate with a smile and a big munch! And when we were hungry, we stayed indoors!

So it was, 1997, broke, hungry and momentarily devoid of what next steps to take! I had a few days more to stay at school. My sister had informed me she would come for me to assist move my things. The question on my mind was, how do I survive until her arrival?

Needless to say, the longer I waited, the hungrier I got. I managed for a few days, after which I decided to approach a friend who was also still in school. It was my first time ever of doing such. It would be the last time ever! His name is Shina. Shina will proceed to teach me a vital lesson in Economy and life, in a very painful way!

I had a small bowl with me when I went to his room. I timidly knocked and asked if he could spare some garri. He wordlessly collected my bowl and went to a corner of the room, where a full (brown) bag of garri was leaning against the wall.

Shina filled the bowl to the brim, pushed it into my hands, looked me dead in the eyes as he said, "Olumide, don't you ever come asking me for food again!"

Words can't describe how I felt. I was speechless. I was dazed! I couldn't say thank you, I didn't get the chance to. He slammed the door in my face, an action that jolted me to reality.

I knocked, the door was not opened. I turned back zombie-like. My hunger disappeared!

I met a schoolmate on the road who wondered if I could share what I had. I gave him the entire bowl! I went back to my room and laid on my bed. I was numb!

Few minutes later, I came out again. I sighted the coconut tree that had always stood in front of my room. I looked up and noticed it had some big coconut fruits. Yours truly, I climbed the coconut tree without any aid and dropped 2 to the ground. I peeled with huge stones and a knife. I survived on that till my sister came a few days later.

Like I said, we survived, and we were proud! My mother used to praise herself by saying, "emi omo olounje rimi o roju, ma faije daa lorun" (If you frown at me because you're eating, I'll snub you by ignoring your meal)! I live by that legacy!

Did I make an enemy out of Shina? No!! He taught me some lessons. And those lessons, I want to share with you, as I believe they are very relevant during this time we are in.

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If you're living life with a sense of entitlement, you need to wake up! Nobody owes you anything. Rather than depend on others, make room for yourself!!

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Anybody has a right to self-preservation. If someone chooses to self preserve rather than share with you, you have the right to walk away!

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Again, you have the right to say no. If you do say yes, don't rub it on those who choose to approach you for help. If you're unable to help, decline without crushing them further!

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That coconut tree was always there, why didn't I see it before!? Because I believed I will get help from man. Well, see how that ended up! I have had days after that experience where I needed help and assistance. I turned to God who made a way without me having to look up to any man!

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Even though I was frugal and quite un-wasteful, I probably might have saved a few grains of this and that in the days prior, if I'd considered that my sister might not come in time.

That experience helped develop strategies and principles around my personal and family economy today, and I have Shina to thank for it! I don’t know where Shina is today, but in case he’s reading this, I’d like like to say a big thank you for his actions that day. They achieved a purpose!

Are there other lessons you learned from the above true story, share with us in the comments section below.