This is my conversation with a 5 year old girl named Treasure. Last week I traveled to Shagamu, Ogun State, for some work at a real estate facility owned by a company called Pentagon. During my stay, my boss and I ate at a little restaurant owned by a Benin woman. She has a little daughter named Treasure that helps her with tiny tasks in the restaurant. One afternoon, I went there to eat and I saw Treasure holding a measuring tape rule, the type tailors use. Then I asked her
Me: Do you sew?
Treasure: Yes
Me: It’s a lie.
Treasure: Yes I do.
Me: Do you have a sewing machine?
Treasure: Yes I have one that I use in my house at Shagamu.
Me: Wow, what have you sewn then?
She points to a hat laying on the table
Treasure: I made that hat for my Mum.
Me: Wow.
At this point, looking at the professionalism and care with which the hat was made, I actually didn’t know whether to believe her or not. In this state of bewilderment, I was interrupted by her voice again.
Treasure: I want to be a Tailor when I grow up
Me: That’s really nice.