*I was in class that fateful Friday afternoon teaching my students when she raised her hand to ask a question.*
*I permitted her and she asked a rather too simple question that I supposed she should know the answer.*
*I had already covered that topic the previous week. "Will you sit down there! With your Ugly face! Olodo!" was the only answer I gave her.*
*The whole class burst into laughter and she looked embarrassed.*
*I went on with my lesson but felt somewhat guilty over what I had said. I finished my class and left. On Sunday, I went to Church. The preacher was talking about the tongue and its power.*
*He spoke about how you could bring others down by what you say.*


*I remembered what happened on Friday and became guilty. I swore I was going to apologize to her on Monday when I got to the class.*


*On Monday afternoon, I went to the class but I didn't see her. I asked after her from her coursemates but they didn't seem to know who I was talking about.*


*I then said I was looking for the person I insulted on Friday.* *"Oh, that's Joy Sir!* *She is not in class today"* *they answered.*
*Who is her friend? I asked.* *"Aisha" they chorused.* *But Aisha was not in the class either.*


*Suddenly, a girl with Hijab walked in.* *"That's Aisha Sir" my students informed me.*
*Where is your friend? I asked her. "Which one?" She replied without looking at my face. Joy! I said.*


*The reply shocked me! She is in the mortuary Sir.* *Mortuary?? Doing what there?? I asked* *"She died on Friday Sir"* *Aisha replied.*


*How come??? I later found out that after my class on Friday, Joy was hit by a fast moving vehicle.*
*She was crossing the road absentmindedly probably because of what I said.*
*"Her burial is on Saturday and you are invited Sir"* *Aisha continued.*


*As I stood trying to overcome the shock, Aisha said within tears, "you killed my friend Sir".*
*She was right! I should be the murderer!*
*Some girls in the class were already crying! I didn't know what to say, whether to apologize to Joy's friend or Joy's ghost.*
*I submitted my resignation letter the next day.*
*Dear Lecturers and Teachers, please stop insulting your student.*


*They are in school to learn from you. If they already know, they won't be in school!*
*Please mind what you say to other people. Are your words bringing life or death to the hearers?*


*NB: THIS STORY IS A MUST READ AND DOES NOT ONLY APPLY TO LECTURERS AND TEACHERS BUT ALL OF US THAT COME INTO CONTACT WITH HUMAN BEINGS:* *CUSTOMERS, STUDENTS, PARENTS, MATES, FRIENDS AND WHAT HAVE YOU?*
*Let's be very mindful of how we address one another.*
*Thank you.*


M C Ufele