THE REJECTED STONE

"I'm sorry, son, for giving up on you. After making tremendous efforts to see you improve academically without any sign of improvement being seen, I was forced to throw in the towel regarding your matter. I'm terribly sorry, son, for not believing in you even when nobody did. I'm elated that you've metamorphosed from a dullard to a genius. Indeed, your story is incredible. For you to make seven A1's in your WAEC is mind-blowing. To cap it all, a university admission to study Medicine. I'm very proud of you, son. Your story would serve as a huge inspiration to several children that have been written off by family and friends", Daniel's father said.

Daniel retorted, "Dad, your apology is accepted. After all, it's somewhat not your fault. Anybody would've acted the manner you did. God in His infinite mercies only set Mum aside for me. Moreover, I was the perfect embodiment of an "olodo". Absolutely nothing could be found in my brain; nothing stuck despite laudable efforts of yours, Mum and my teachers then. You're forgiven, Dad. I appreciate you, Dad. May I take my leave now so as to run errands for Mum?""Okay, you may leave. Thank you, my son", Mr. Danjuma said with a wide grin. And Daniel departed from his presence.

Daniel's case is a familiar one in our society. He was a very dull student whom everyone gave up on. Repetition of classes was synonymous with him. Shockingly, he repeated JSS 1 thrice. It was at this juncture his school demanded that he was withdrawn. He was constantly jeered by his peers for his academic weakness, and this infuriated and saddened him utterly . His father lost hope, and his mother in deep sorrow made efforts to enrol him in another school, but all the approached schools rejected him. Fortunately, a school built on undiluted Christian principles accepted him. Although, he failed the entrance examination into JSS 1, he found favour before the school Chairman, and he was offered admission into JSS 1.

This marked the turn-around in Daniel's academic journey. The school was determined to re-write his story; they were resilient in resolving his agony and woes. To achieve this, different strategies were devised, and no stone was left unturned. Special prayers, in addition with special classes constituted part of the strategies. There was also constant counselling, and personal time-table was offered to him. Multiple assignments were regularly offered to him, with corrections to them unfailingly given. Moreover, Daniel was determined to record transformations in his academics. He became a staunch bookworm. The fact that he was ready to help himself made it less complicated for the school to record vast improvement in his academics.

In the first term, there was a little improvement while the second term result was a little better. It was in the third term that Daniel did the unbelievable. He shook everyone to the bone marrow. Astonishingly, he had ten A1's,  three B's and one credit to top the entire JSS 1 class. Daniel's parents, relatives and neighbours were exceedingly astounded, but the school wasn't, knowing they had played their role excellently, and Almighty God had crowned their efforts in a jaw-dropping fashion as usual.

From that time onward, Daniel maintained his academic excellence, topping his class and representing the school in competitions. He attained 330 in JAMB and then recorded seven A1's and 2 B's in WAEC examination. His story became an inspiration to many. Everyone is super proud of him today. Now, in the university studying Medicine. Indeed, he's the rejected stone that has become the cornerstone for the Danjumas.