Writers 
David sat quietly in the back of the classroom and looked at his phone. Even though he had read the message many times, the words still hurt.
"Due date for payment: Friday." Students who still owe money will not be able to sign up for classes this semester.
David needed twenty thousand naira to finish his payment.
Twenty thousand naira might not seem like a lot to some people. But David thought it was an impossible mountain to climb.
His family wasn't very wealthy. His mother sold food on the side of the road, and his father couldn't work since he was too old and sick to do so. David had been studying and working part-time jobs to make ends meet.
It had been a few weeks since he last saw the money. He called family members. He talked with friends. He even said he would work for money the right people.
It didn't work.
Thursday nite, David sat outside his dorm with his school bag next to him.
He told himself in a low voice, "I think I should just quit school."
His dream had always been to finish school. He aimed to please his parents and eventually land a good job. But right then, his dream seemed too expensive to keep up.
David put some clothes in his small travel bag the next morning. He made up his mind to go back home.
One of his teachers saw him as he walked across campus.
The teacher asked, "David, where are you going with that bag?"
David tried to smile.
"I'm leaving for home, sir."
"Why?"
David thought for a moment before he spoke.
The teacher just listened.
"So you're dropping out of school because of ₦20,000?"
David said "yes."
"Sir, I've tried everything." “I have no other choice.”
He took out his phone from his pocket during the class.
"Give me your account number."
David thought that the teacher wanted to help him get the money from someone.
After a short time, his phone rang.
He looked at his money.
₦20,000 was sent.
David couldn't believe what the teacher was saying.
"Sir..."
The teacher told them, "Go pay your fees." "And don't give up on a long-term dream because of a short-term money problem."
David started to cry.
Twenty thousand naira was more than money. It was a chance for him to keep learning.
After many years, David graduated from college. Getting a job helped him start taking care of his family. He would never forget what happened that Friday morning, though.
Whenever he could help a student who was having trouble, he thought of the teacher who had helped him.
He knew a very important thing:
What one person thinks is a small amount of money can sometimes be seen as the whole future of another person.
Doing something nice for someone can keep them in school, give them hope, keep them from giving up, or even change their life.
