Grandma Toritseju was rounding up on one of her usual folklore as she spent time with her precious grandchildren – Alero and Gbubemi. Alero, the maverick of the duo, quickly asked…”Grandma, what is the lesson from this story?” She anticipated that those would be Grandma’s next words and decided to pre-empt the question. Grandma took a deep breath and shook her head thinking…Alero is too smart by half. She replied, “Now Alero, what do you think the lesson is?” Alero replied “Ummm…I would guess it is that one needs to work hard for a living. Laziness does not pay. However, Grandma, we see people who rob others to get rich. Take for instance the person who stole my phone on the bus last week, he gained a phone without working for it and I overheard a conversation between Daddy and Mr. Williams where they discussed a hack into their bank’s database and the loss of millions of naira. People are getting rich off other people’s backs. The thief gains, but the robbed feels the pain, Grandma.” Gbubemi put on her thinking cap and emerged with the following profound statement. “Both pain and gain were present. The thief gained, but the robbed felt the pain. I guess when they say there is no gain without pain, is that what it means, Grandma? For someone to gain, someone must feel the pain?”

Grandma shook her head gently and admonished. “The person who intends to achieve superior results must put in effort, and hard work, which is the pain, and the result is the gain. For instance, to make superior results at school, you put in effort by attending classes, being attentive, reading your textbooks and notes, and studying for examinations. All that effort is the pain. Can you imagine what would happen if you were a truant and did not study? Also, Gbubemi, to be the star athlete you are with so many medals to show for it, I am sure you put time and effort into practice. Did it come easy, no. The effort is the pain that results in the gain of success. Even with persons who do illegal or criminal things, the results do not materialise on a platter of Gold as it requires thinking through, planning, risk-taking, etc.”

“But Grandma, we learn at church that with God all things are possible so why can’t we just rely on God to provide all we need after all that is what his word says.” Alero countered.

“Yes,” Grandma continued. “With God all things are possible, but it takes effort to cultivate a relationship with God. You must believe in him, study his word, and have an open line of communication with him through prayer. In addition, God encourages diligence and trust in his plan not complacency or idleness. In the Bible, laziness or slothfulness is considered a sin and the book of Proverbs expressly links it with poverty while diligence the bible says, makes rich. Diligence requires effort and such effort is rewarded by God especially if what is done is in line with his leading or his will. Success is not handed to us on a silver platter. It is earned through sweat, determination, and an unwavering belief in the principle that there is “no gain without pain.”

A little insight into the origin of the phrase “There are No gains without pains.” This quote appears in Benjamin Franklin’s 1758 essay – THE WAY TO WEALTH which is a collection of advice and adages. The quote is usually interpreted as greater effort engenders better results.

Havilah opines that young people should be taught that there is dignity in labour and there is no shortcut or easy path to success except the path of diligent labour.

Love

Havilah