For everything that happens, there's a lesson to be learnt from it.

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Few months ago, I was on my way to visit a friend of mine when Mom called and asked if I had locked all the doors at home before stepping out. I answered inpositive affirmation to what she asked. Mom wasn't home as well, neither was dad. And from her voice tone I could sense that she was very worried. I was halfway through where I was going but because of how she sounded on call, I had to retreat and go back home. On my way home, I could observe from afar, a group of people were gathered in front of our compound like they usually do when we are robbed.
It wasn't the first time nor the second . Our compound is always targeted when robbers attack. It's not as if we were the wealthiest people living there. I just couldn't understand why our compound was targeted.

Immediately I got close I started getting sympathy from those that were present at the scene. I didn't even know how to call mom and tell her that the padlock she bought had been broken for the 7th time because there'd been another robbery attack. While I was contemplating what to do immediately, my phone rang . As I raised to check who was calling, I noticed it was Mom. My hands began to tremble as I should have been the one to call her instead of her calling first. But I answered her anyways. Nora, tell me are you home. I hope everything is fine. , I'm sure I'm just worried over nothing because I left little money at home, so once I return, I'll pay the workers. Maybe that's why I'm worried, ", Mom said, without pausing a bit to give me a chance to talk "When she finally stopped talking, I replied" Mom, nothing is fine here, the theif had broken in again and I'm scared to even go inside but I'll go in anyway just to make sure that nothing much was taken. " Mom replied, " This is why I told your Dad we needed a new house in a new location as soon as possible . I don't understand why this robbery attack is always and only carried out at our home alone. How about our neighbors have they complained as well? " No Mom " I replied, it's ok just go in and tell me the situation at home. I'll be back soon. " Ok Mother " I replied and she hung up.

This is what happens every time we are robbed and I was wondering why they always act so smart. But honestly, I do find his smartest weird, because what kind of criminal will see a full slice of bread on the table and instead of carrying the whole bread, he'll take like 10 slices and leave the rest. The only part of the house that is always found scattered and unkempt is the kitchen whenever a robbery takes place. Items like our foodstuffs, groceries and can food will be stolen. The funniest part is that not everything will be taken. If we had two tins of food, he would take one and leave us with one. If it's up to three, he'll take two and leave one for us.
The rooms and parlour are always intact like nothing was done in the house. And that's the only thing we find really weird when there's a robbery attack. And this time it wasn't different. Mom's room was still intact and I'm certain the money Mom had left to pay the workers wasn't tampered with.

When Mom and Dad come home , It felt as though both of them were worried, tired and fed up with the whole situation. Honestly, we really wanted to catch them because from our observation we were sure he must have been someone close or probably someone that knows us very well. He monitors when we're home and when we're leaving. So three of us came up with a plan on how to catch them red handedly.

The next morning, as we planned, we left home through the main entrance locked and pretended to enter the car. But instead we sneaked out and went back inside using the back door while Dad turned to lock the back door and later came out and zoomed off to work. We acted this way, so everyone would think we were all out. As usual, the thief came around. We were certain he would come back because while we were arranging Mom's room, we noticed his wristband on the floor and that made us certain he was going to come back. Slowly, we heard the padlock opening and Mom and I shrinked in our position. Mom was very scared and worried about me. So she asked me to go hide in the cupboard before they came in. As I rushed to hide, I left the cupboard slightly open to see what was happening after all. I couldn't leave Mom all alone. Then I heard footsteps approaching and when it seemed so close, Mom quickly stood up to cover him with a blanket as planned, but paused after meeting him . She didn't scream, neither did she cover him. As I didn't see any drama, I came out of my hiding corner and Dad walked in as well because he hadn't gone to work. He just made it look like he did. Before I could say Jack I heard Mom had let him go as though his actions were " like water off a ducks' back " I could hear her tell him to go and never repeat his mistakes, assuring him he could always come over to eat once in awhile if he wants. I quickly rushed out to see clearly and when I stepped out, I noticed it was the same little boy I met in a shop while I was going to pay for some food stuffs I bought. Luckily, I paid for the stuff. The remaining change that was left, I told the shopkeeper to keep it and when I did, I noticed the little boy starring at me as though he wanted to say something. But he didn't.

That was when I realized the little boy knew where I was staying and was fond of coming around to get nothing but food. And surprisingly, he was just fond of our house. and that's because he believed we were kind.

THIS BLOG WAS INSPIRED BY THE #inkwellnonfictionprompt #75

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