“Your father is very ill, Obie. His condition is serious. He needs surgery—an expensive one—to remove something blocking his body and to undo the effects of what appears to be a strong poison. Without it, I’m afraid he may not survive the week.”
“An expensive surgery?” Obie repeated, thinking of the plastic bag hidden beneath the baobab tree.
Without hesitation, he looked the doctor straight in the eye.
“I will pay for it, Doctor. Whatever the cost. Please tell me how much it is, and I will pay.”
The doctor was surprised. She looked at the small boy in old clothes, tired and dusty, and could hardly believe what she was hearing.
“My boy,” she said gently, “this surgery costs a great deal of money. It is more than most families can afford. Are you sure you understand? We are talking about a very large amount.”
Obie did not look away. He spoke again, his voice calm and full of quiet confidence.
“Yes, Doctor, I understand. And I will pay it. Please, just give me the bank account number where I can deposit the money.”
The doctor was truly shocked. This boy, who looked like he had nothing, spoke with such certainty. After a moment, seeing the determination in his eyes, she wrote down the hospital’s bank account details on a piece of paper and handed it to him.
“The full payment must be made by tomorrow morning, Obie, or we cannot proceed with the surgery.”
“It will be there,” Obie promised, clutching the paper tightly. “Thank you, Doctor. Thank you so much.”
The next morning, just as the sun was rising, Obie returned to the hospital. He walked straight into the doctor’s office with a small smile on his face and handed her a bank receipt.
The doctor took it, her eyebrows raised in doubt. But as she read the numbers, she stared in disbelief.
“This… this is the full amount. This is impossible.”
She looked at Obie, speechless.
“How did you get it?”
Obie simply smiled. “I made a promise, Doctor.”
“It’s a miracle,” she whispered.
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