Chapter Nine

'Yes, ma'am,' Dera responded respectfully. She obediently walked towards the seat facing Mrs. Nnaji and settled herself down, attentive and ready for the conversation ahead.

Dera, I didn't call you here to remind you of your WASSCE registration or anything. Rather, I called you here to cheer you up because you're my top student and you make me proud,' Mrs. Nnaji said with a smile. As she spoke, she reached into her bag and took out a small package, her eyes filled with hope that Dera would like it. She handed the gift to Dera.

'Ma'am, is this some kind of secret prize?' Dera joked, and Mrs. Nnaji laughed.

'Well, you can call it anything you like,' Mrs. Nnaji replied playfully, observing that Dera had made no attempt to untie the string. 'Aren't you going to open it?'

'I'll do that at home,' Dera said, her smile sweet and grateful.

'Don't wait until you get home, it might turn into a letter bomb,' Mrs. Nnaji teased. 'Go ahead and open it and let the bomb explode already.'

Dera laughed and gently opened the present. Mrs. Nnaji had bought her the book a week ago and had forgotten to give it to her. But today, she had remembered it and made sure that Dera received the gift.

Dera couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the book. It was Barack Obama's The Audacity of Hope, the second book written by the former president of the United States of America. It was a beautiful book.

Tears welled up in Dera's eyes as she read the title aloud. "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream."

'Dera, I see that you have a few school textbooks, but I want the book you're currently holding to be the first addition to your personal library,' Mrs. Nnaji said, her voice filled with hope. 'I know I couldn't assist you with your registration, despite my promise. Please forgive me.' She gazed at Dera with sincerity. 'One day, when you have your own magnificent library, you will recall this day. You will proudly present this book to everyone, sharing how you never abandoned your dreams. You will say that this first book instilled in you the audacity to hope for a new beginning.'

'Will my dreams come true?' Dera asked, her eyes searching for reassurance about her future.

'Dera, you will undoubtedly fulfill your dreams if you truly desire to. Our destiny is shaped by our own determination. You can achieve anything you set your mind to,' Mrs. Nnaji assured her warmly.

Dera's voice carried a hint of doubt as she asked, 'Really, ma'am?' She wondered if her dreams could only be fulfilled by marrying a wealthy man. And what about her WASSCE? Would she have the opportunity to sit for the exam with her classmates, or would she become a dropout student?

Mrs. Nnaji looked into Dera's eyes, her voice filled with conviction. 'Dera, you're a bright student. I have no doubt at all.'

Dera looked at the book in her hands, gently stroking its cover. 'It's beautiful,' she murmured.

Mrs. Nnaji took a deep breath, ready to unveil the intriguing origin of the book's title. 'Let me share with you the remarkable story behind the title,' she began. 'It is said that the inspiration for the title came from a sermon delivered by Jeremiah Wright, a former pastor of Barack Obama. Wright attended a lecture by Frederick G. Sampson in the late 1980s, which focused on the George Watts painting "Hope." This painting left a profound impact on Wright, prompting him to deliver a sermon in 1990 centred on the painting's theme.'

As Mrs. Nnaji spoke, Dera's curiosity grew, her attention fixed on the tale of the bandaged woman who embodied resilience and held onto hope.

'In Wright's sermon, he described the painting depicting a bandaged woman sitting atop the world, her harp broken but with a single string remaining. Despite her visible sorrow, she dared to pluck that one string, offering praise to God,' Mrs. Nnaji explained.

Dera listened intently, captivated by the unwavering spirit of the woman in the painting. The audacity to hope, even in the face of adversity, resonated deeply within her.

'After attending Wright's sermon, Barack Obama adapted the phrase "audacity to hope" to "audacity of hope," which eventually became the title of the book you hold in your hands,' Mrs. Nnaji continued, taking a sip of water from the table. She paused for a moment, her gaze fixed on Dera. 'Dera, there are few individuals in this world who possess the resilience and unwavering spirit of that bandaged woman. They may not display visible signs of strength, but they never give up on hope,' Mrs. Nnaji said with a warm smile, radiating hope. She emphasised, 'In the face of difficulty and uncertainty, always hold onto hope. It is a powerful force that can carry you through the darkest of times.'