What characterizes you?

I was

raised primarily with my grandparents in Lagos, Nigeria, where I currently

reside. To put food on the table, Mom and Dad work around the clock. {I hold

them not responsible}I'm from a really underprivileged family. Being extremely

rigorous, my grandparents taught me the lessons that life wants me to learn and

the risks that it bears. My grandparents haven't told me yet, but I don't have

permission to leave the house for other personal reasons, so I only talk to a

select few people virtually. My dad bought me a gorgeous iPhone as a surprise

when I was a teenager. Despite my academic prowess and my lifelong desire for

an iPhone, he has saved money to make me happy. It was the most exquisite and

substantial gift I have ever been given. That iPhone turned me into the person

I am today. I saw an advertisement on April 11th, when I was scrolling through

my Facebook page.

And there it was: "KATTIE," the most played game on the internet

right now, which everyone in their teen years is itching to play. It was released

last year, and based on the feeds, it seems like every teen is obsessed with

it. In any case, I installed it on my iPhone to give it a try. After playing it

for a while, I fell in love with the game because it was so wonderful - it

allowed me to meet new people and share wonderful memories, laughs, and

enjoyable playtime with them. I became attached to it after playing it for

months.

I had no idea who the sender was or that he had the gall to declare, "IF

YOU DON'T LOVE ME YOU ARE DEAD,"

My friends were startled and wanted to find out who this guy was when I chose

to pass the message to them. I panicked out and started to panic. I had no idea

what to do. I texted him and ask, "Who are you?"

Since the individual was unable to respond to me, I decided to block him in

order to put an end to this. Fantastic, feeling relieved, I choose to take

other actions that do not include death.

A few weeks went by, I heard nothing weird from anyone, I was happy, and life

went on.

Suddenly, I received another text from the same person with the same message.

This time, I was furious and agitated and needed to talk to someone right away.

However, I was unable to go anyplace or just go to my grandparents to tell them

what was going on. I choose to text the individual and asked him why he was

treating me badly - after all, it's not like we've ever met - He repeatedly

sent the same message. I texted my friend Shane, who informed me and reassured

me that he would track down the individual responsible for everything. I was

feeling anxious and uneasy in my own home.

Shane sent me all of his personal details and all I required to know about him

for two days.

What a marvel! Shane was an extremely intelligent person to have figured out

all that in just two days!

After looking into everything, I discovered that this unidentified individual

is a high school student, has a fair complexion, is single, and has never

committed a crime. This highlights the fact that, for crying out loud, I don't

even know this poor guy, who is just a student like me, so why is he causing

trouble?

He texted me again while I was deep in contemplation, and this time I replied

with all the information I knew about him.

Then he stopped texting and wrote something like "I've been playing this

game for almost three years, and no one has ever liked me, followed me, or even

sent me a message. With all the money I have in real life, with all the wealth

and riches my parents have, why don't I feel loved anymore? Since you have been

on this game for the past one year, I have been noticing you and how popular

you are, how people get to like you so much, and how many followers you have

been getting daily. Who do you think you are?"

{whoa!}

After he sent the message, I was so bewildered and overwhelmed with thoughts

that I was unable to think clearly and burst out laughing.

I started to wonder, so I emailed him this: "I'm not even very wealthy; my

parents barely make ends meet and can only buy food and rent; my grandparents

use their pension to pay for my schooling. I mean, if you don't even know the

history and the state I come from, why attack me? the grief I experienced, and

even the agony of fighting to obtain information so I could speak with Shane,

who has been my pride and delight for all these years...I mean, what's the

whole point of this? And you came with the gall to tell me that since I'm poor,

I don't deserve to be happy?

Or does the fact that I'm not wealthy give me no right to win someone over?

Even if I'm not as wealthy or powerful as you are, I still have something that

you don't have: a good moral foundation, the ability to inspire others to

pursue their goals and never give up, strong leadership qualities, and the

ability to move past you with what I have.

Despite your wealth, you lack self-control, dignity, and a host of other

virtues. Do you believe that money can truly purchase "LOVE"? If so,

it will only last a short while.

Last but not least, I share pleasant news that can uplift and cheer people.

What are you bringing?

Cash, {that doesn't sound correct}

You cannot have wealth and a poor character and expect to be taken places or

feel appreciated by others.

Show modesty!"

I texted him for a few minutes, and after I sent it, he saw it and was

embarrassed to respond. He wrote, "Please accept my apologies."

And he barred himself after that, and I haven't heard of him again.

This experience has given me more motivation to start inspiring others, and

it's true that I and other people need to learn certain things in life since

they will help us get farther in life.