Proverbs 12:18 KJV
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Monday Morning

"The wind was blowing in the right way. The atmosphere was heavenly. We'll be in school in the next 20 minutes and school will just go fine like always." I imagined as I gazed at the sceneries passed by as dad drove.

20 minutes later we were in school and the normal protocol followed: dad helped each of us put our bag packs on, He connected Blue to Michael with a service rope and Prosper came running to meet us and greeted our dad, then we all headed to class. Prosper, Elizabeth and I were in the same class while Michael was in a different class with other special children.

The assembly bell was rang and everyone walked in a single file to the assembly ground according to their classes.

In Grace International school, we say prayers before the normal schedule for the assembly begins. The roaster for the prayer is written by the Head girl. For a week, juniors will pray then the next week, the seniors take over. I don't even know how I even bumped into the head girl last week. I don't even want to recall the experience because it's annoying.
The overall conclusion to the experience was that she chose me to say today's prayers. Yeah pretty exciting, in my view it is when it's not standing in front of 2 million students and a stern principal.

" Tomisin, please come to the platform and say the opening prayers." announced Mrs Smith over the microphone.

"Good luck" mouthed Elizabeth and Prosper

I swallowed hard and braced myself before moving towards the platform. Mum and dad prepared me to take the assembly prayer today but I still felt nervous.

As I climbed the platform and collected the microphone from Mrs Smith, I felt shaky. So I took two deep breath and opened my mouth to pray;

"Lord, thank You for bringing us all together again in school" I said a bit shaky. And I forgot the next line.

'Prayer comes from the heart and not the head,' I remember mom Christy telling me this when I was trying to cram the prayers I wrote in my paper back at home. Regaining confidence I said what was truly in my heart

"Thank You because You're God, thank You for Your Love towards us all, Your Name be highly exalted in Jesus name" I prayed and paused a little for them to respond

The assembly chorused,"Amen"

"Lord we pray that you take absolute control of today's classes in Jesus name,"

"Amen"

"Enlighten our minds as we are being taught in Jesus name."

"Bless our teacher with understanding to teach us well in Jesus name amen."

"For in Jesus name we pray amen"

"Amen"

"Thanks dear." commented Mrs Smith as I gave her the microphone.

I smiled and stepped down from the platform.

Assembly continued and my nervousness died down by the minute. In 30 minutes, assembly was over and we were walking back to our various classes

On Monday morning, we have maths. We always have 2 minutes to prepare for each classes. So as Prosper, Elizabeth and I got to class, we prepared our table for math class.

The math teacher arrived with a new student. She looked biracial and intimidating.

"Good morning class" announced Mr Mat.

"Good morning sir" we chorused

"What a wonderful morning, isn't it?" asked Mr Mat.

"Yes sir" we answered.

" We have a new student!" announced Mr Mat excitedly. "Let's welcome her." said Mr Mat.

"Welcome to Grace international school, we are glad to have you here" we chorused.

"Please introduce yourself young lady?" asked Mr Mat

" My name is Popoola Olola-Tosin and I'm a transfer student from Kwara."

We all applauded as Mr Mat showed her to her seat which was beside mine. And I was left wondering how come, nevertheless I applauded cheerfully.

"I'm the Mathematics teacher for Grade 4. Do take out your note and if you have any question, you can kindly direct them to me, okay?" said Mr Mat.

" Okay sir" answered Tosin.

Math class was wonderful as always, English class was up next.

So I moved to prepare for English class when Tosin asked me a question

"What's your name?" she asked

"Tomisin" I answered with a smile

"That's wonderful. We have the same name origin." She said chuckling and I did too

"My grandfather is a politician. What about yours?"

"My grandfather?" I asked as I continued bringing out my note and textbook for English class.

"Yeah" answered Tosin

"I don't know!" I answered not considering the fact that I never knew my grandfather.

"Mr grandfather is a doctor" said Elizabeth who was behind me

"And you are?" asked Tosin quite curiously

"Elizabeth, Tomisin's sister" answered Elizabeth with pride. That girl is something else.

"Oh! You're siblings?" Tosin questioned with raised brows. She was about asking another question when Mrs Smith walked into the class.

"Good morning students" said Mrs Smith

"Good morning ma" we all chorused.

"Back to your seats everyone" Mrs Smith instructed. Then she gazed intently at me

"Tomisin you did great on the stage, keep it up!" said Mrs Smith and this made me blush

"Ohh! we have a new student in class." said Mrs Smith excitedly when she noticed Tosin beside me

"What's your name young lady?"

"Popoola, Olola-Tosin" answered Tosin standing up.

"Wow! That's a lovely name!" exclaimed Mrs Smith.

" If you have any question concerning school activities you can ask your classmates. And besides Tomisin can show you round some school premises." suggested Mrs Smith

"When you do, do take your class permit with you, okay?" instructed Mrs Smith to me.

" Now we'll be moving to structure," announced Mrs Smith

"Thank God!," mouthed Elizabeth but everyone heard her

"Miss Johnson, do you mind stating your opinion." asked Mrs Smith with inquisitive eyes

Everyone turn to look at Elizabeth

Standing up from her seat, Elizabeth explained herself "it's just that I don't like the word 'speech' I always end up biting my tongue "

And everyone chuckled

"Don't worry, change your mind about it and practice and you'll get it. Who knows, you might just be my best student."

Mrs Smith as a natural habit of encouraging students and that's one thing I love about her. She's my favorite teacher. She could turn even the worst of situations to a friendlier atmosphere.

English class lasted for 45 minutes then art class was next, Elizabeth favorite subject. You could tell it from the way she was excited about going on an excursion, didn't you?

We all moved to the art studio

"Where are we going?" asked Tosin looking at her schedule program. Everyone in class had a schedule program.

"To the art studio." I answered as we stepped out of the class.

"The best class ever, you'll love it." Elizabeth chime in.

"Ohhkay!" smiled Tosin placing her schedule table in her art textbook

"So who's our teacher?" asked Tosin

"Mrs Gold" Elizabeth and I chorused

"So may I join the conversation?" asked Prosper with excited eyes.

"Sure!" replied Tosin

"Uhmm! so you're all friends?" asked Tosin

"Yeah!" Elizabeth, Prosper and I chorused

"That's great!" exclaimed Tosin.

"Can I join the squad?" asked Tosin hopefully

"Sure!" Prosper, Elizabeth and I answered in the positive as we entered the art studio

"Welcome students!" said Mrs Gold

"Good morning ma!" we chorused.

"You all should take your seats." said Mrs Gold

"Okay so I hope we all had a good time in Nike Art Village?" asked Mrs Gold excitedly

"Yeah!" everyone chorused except Tosin

"Oh! my bad, we have a new student!" Mrs Gold said when she noticed Tosin

"What's your name beautiful princess?" asked Mrs Gold

"Tosin" said Tosin simply. Guess the human being is tired of being asked the same question.

"What a beautiful name!" exclaimed Mrs Gold with her silky voice.

And art class went blah blah blah. Now to the next period, which has always been my favorite, break time.

It's a time to eat and talk with friends. It's the time Elizabeth and I visited Michael in his class so we can cuddle Blue and now it included taking Tosin on an excursion round the school.

I thought on how I'll manage all this, and shared my view with Tosin. We both reason together.

And I came up with a good idea,

"As we all move to the dining hall in the next 2 minutes," I said checking my watch

" We'll be passing some structure and I could tell you about them. And when we come back to class, we'll prepare our materials for the next class, and go to the special premises so I could see Michael and also show you the place." I said leaving out the reason why I wanted to see him.

"What's special premises?" asked Tosin

"Don't worry, you'll see." I said smiling sweetly.

So we all moved to the dining hall, and I showed Tosin some structure and their purpose. Elizabeth and Prosper assisted me in introducing Tosin to some of the structure that were along the path to the dining hall.

After taking breakfast at the dinning hall, we had 10 minutes left to visit the special premises. I also didn't forget to take my class permit, just in case the bell was rung and I'm outside the class.

Walking out of the dining hall with the three girls- Elizabeth, Prosper, Tosin- we headed for class.

Tosin and I prepared for the next class which was social studies by bringing out our books, textbook and pen. Then we headed for the special premises.

It wasn't far from our class, it was a stone throw from our class.

The special premises had more programs than normal school. Plus, their learning environment is more exciting.

As we walked towards Michael's class, we passed by some classrooms until we got to Michael's.

We walked into the class, Michael was reading as usual. Blue was asleep in the animal section at the back of the class. I walked over to his table and knocked on his desk to get his attention.

He looked up but didn't say anything. I was already used to that.

So I just waved and smiled at him before going to the animal section to give Blue a tight hug. He woke up like a baby and licked me gently. I chuckled at this. Tosin joined me. She rubbed her hand gently on his fur.

"He's fur so soft." she complemented

"I know but the best part is that he's cute and funny." I replied

"Okay let's go," I announced before standing up and Tosin followed suit.

As we got out, Tosin said something that struck my heart.

"So special premises is for gifted children or sick children? Cos it seems they're sick," said Tosin

Her words stopped me in my tracks,

"That's not true." I said vehemently.

"Wait! Is it because your brother is like them that you say so?" asked Tosin

"You know what let's just go to class." I said not wanting to fight with her.

When we got to class I was quite upset at what Tosin said but I tried to concentrate on what we were being taught in class.

After school, mum came to pick us,
Dad and mum are always excited to see us. No wonder we always run to hug them but when it comes to mum, Michael always the first to get to her for a hug— he's so close to mum.

When we all got to the car, I was still troubled with what Tosin said that I was watching him, mum noticed and ask me a question,

"Tomisin, what's wrong ?"

"Nothing!" I said almost immediately before I turned my eyes away from Michael

"Ohhkay?" Mum Christy said eyeing me in a curious way

When we got home, we ate and mum made sure we all did our assignments and had siesta. She tucked us in our rooms. While she tucked me, she said

"Tomisin,"

"Yes mum" I said and it made her smile.

"When something is bothering you, instead of saying nothing, say it to someone you trust. Like for example parents or friends. They might be able to help you." she said looking expectant at me

"The best person you can talk to is God, He always has a solution to your problem and can either give you the answer or show you who to talk to regarding it." she said

"Okay mum," I replied and she kissed my forehead before leaving.

"Mum?" I called

"Yeah!" she answered

"Is Michael sick?" I asked. Mum Christy was confused as to wy I asked

"Michael isn't sick," she said moving to my side, a smile on her face.

"This is just a phrase in his life, lemme show you something," she answered as she took my bible which was at my nightstand. She opened to

Ecclesiastes 3:1
[1]TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:

Then we read from the first verse to the eighth verse.

"Tomisin, everything will be well with Michael in God's time, you'll see." She said kissing my forehead.

"Okay mum!" I replied feeling relieved at those words. She got up and left my room.

The Bible was beside me so I decided to read the verses again but I opened to 2 Corinthians 12;10 coincidentally

2 Corinthians 12:10
[10]So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).

" When I'm weak in human strength, then I'm strong in divine strength." I said unconsciously because the words caught my attention

Then I closed my eyes to sleep