The charcoal dealer and the rich man

By George Olwalo

In the tiny village of Mambomengi, there once lived a successful trader called Kimathi. He had Mercedes car that he adored. One day, he parked outside a restaurant at the market and went inside for lunch. As he was eating, an old, thin charcoal dealer named Maringa and his two donkeys brushed past the car.

Like a cow stung by bees, Kimathi stormed out of the restaurant and grabbed Maringa by the collar.

He snatched a whip from a watchman and lashed Maringa repeatedly on the back.

The charcoal dealer winced in pain and begged not to be hurt, promising that none of his donkeys would walk near a car in future.

The beating caught the attention of people at the market who came to see what was happening. Many were angry to see the rich man whack the weak charcoal dealer.

Satisfied that he had taught Maringa a lesson, Kimathi got into his car and drove off.

Well-wishers took Maringa to hospital. After a week, he was discharged and went home.

The following day, Kimathi caught a strange illness. The rich man moved from one hospital to the next but his condition got worse. His family decided to take him to a powerful witchdoctor from a distant land.

The witchdoctor told him that the cure lay with the charcoal dealer he had whipped and humiliated in public.

"Visit him and talk to him well my son. This is the only way you will live," the witchdoctor advised.

That very day, the trader, frail and feeble, went to Maringa’s hut.

"Have you come so we can go to the market where I will cane you as you did to me?" Maringa asked Kimathi.

The rich man fished a wad on bank notes from his pockets and handed it to the charcoal seller.

Maringa ignored the money saying he had to whip Kimathi if he wanted to be cured.

But the proud rich man said a man of his status and vast wealth could never be humiliated in public. He went home. That evening, he passed away.

Lesson: We should treat others as we would like them to treat us.