Ubuntu: I Am Because We Are – The Balloon Lesson from Ogbudugbudu

 

Ubuntu: I Am Because We Are – The Balloon Lesson from Ogbudugbudu

Written by Prince Agbedeyi O. D.

Edited by Tam Ariaye

Original Story: Unknown Author 

For Global Egberi Media International 

A Tale from Ogbudugbudu: Beyond the Rivalry

In the heart of the Egbema clan, where the vibrant communities often found themselves caught in a relentless "rat race" of unhealthy competition, a wise teacher in Ogbudugbudu decided to impart a lesson that would transcend their age-old rivalries. She brought a collection of colourful balloons into her classroom and instructed each student to write their name on one. Once every balloon bore a name, she gathered them all and scattered them liberally across the spacious school hallway, creating a chaotic, multi-coloured expanse.

Her first instruction was simple: "Find the balloon with your name on it."

The students eagerly plunged into the task. The hallway erupted in a flurry of activity—scrambling, pushing, and a determined, yet individualistic, search. For a full fifteen minutes, the air was thick with their focused efforts. However, frustration quickly set in. Despite their earnest search, very few, if any, managed to locate the specific balloon bearing their own name. It was a stark, tangible demonstration of how challenging it can be to achieve individual success when one is solely focused on their own gain amidst a multitude of similar, competing needs. Their individual struggles mirrored the broader competitive spirit that sometimes defined their community's interactions.

The Ubuntu Shift: From Self-Interest to Shared Success

Observing their futile struggle, the teacher called a halt to the exercise. "Stop!" she commanded, her voice cutting through the mild pandemonium. She then offered a new, profoundly counter-intuitive approach, one that embodied the spirit of Ubuntu: "Now, when you pick up a balloon, look at the name written on it. If it's not yours, find the person whose name is on it and give them their balloon."

The transformation was immediate and astonishing. Within a mere five minutes, the previous clamour gave way to a quiet, purposeful energy. Students began picking up balloons, reading names, and delivering them to their rightful owners with newfound collaborative spirit. Soon enough, every single student had their own balloon. What fifteen minutes of focused self-interest and frantic individual searching couldn't achieve, five minutes of collective giving, teamwork, and team spirit accomplished effortlessly.

The Profound Lesson: "I Am Because We Are"

The teacher then gathered her students, each now clutching their personal balloon, and delivered the profound lesson that resonated far beyond the walls of Ogbudugbudu: "This is how life is. Ubuntu – I am because we are."

This powerful phrase encapsulates a fundamental truth about human existence and community, especially pertinent to the Egbema clan. In our pursuit of success, happiness, or whatever we believe we need, we often focus solely on acquiring for ourselves. We scramble, we compete, and sometimes, despite our best efforts, we find ourselves struggling, just like the students searching for their own balloons. This "rat race" not only exhausts us but often prevents us from reaching our full potential.

The Ogbudugbudu balloon experiment beautifully illustrates that true fulfillment and collective achievement often come not from relentlessly pursuing our own interests in isolation, but from actively contributing to the well-being of others. When we shift our focus from "what can I get?" to "what can I give?", we inadvertently create a powerful ripple effect that brings us closer to our own desires, fulfilling the essence of Ubuntu.

Selfless Service Returns Blessings: When you help someone else find their balloon, you're not losing time; you're actively participating in a system where everyone's needs are met. In life, by helping others achieve their goals, overcome challenges, or find their path, we often find our own path becoming clearer, our own struggles diminishing, and our own blessings manifesting. This is the core of Together Everyone Achieves MORE (TEAM).

Interdependence is Key: We live in an interconnected world. No one truly thrives in isolation. Just as the students needed each other to return their balloons, humanity, and indeed, every community, progresses when individuals contribute to the collective good. Our individual success is often a byproduct of the health and prosperity of our community. This is why teamwork and team spirit are crucial.

The Power of Empathy & Unity: The act of reading another's name and delivering their balloon required a moment of empathy, a recognition of someone else's need. Cultivating empathy and acting on it builds stronger relationships, fosters cooperation, and ultimately creates a more harmonious and productive environment for everyone.

A Call for Egbema Unity: This lesson holds a vital message for the various communities that make up the Egbema clan, both in Edo and Delta states. We are not enemies; we have a common ancestry. Our true adversaries are not within our clan, but rather the external challenges and oppressors that seek to divide us. Just as the students in Ogbudugbudu found their balloons by helping each other, so too will the Egbema people find their collective strength and prosperity in unity. Together we stand, divided we fall.

Conclusion: The Ubuntu Path to Shared Prosperity

The lesson from Ogbudugbudu is a timeless reminder, especially poignant for communities striving for progress amidst historical rivalries. If you want to find your own balloon in life, stop frantically searching only for yourself. Instead, pick up someone else's balloon, identify its owner, and give it to them. In the act of giving, of helping others claim what is theirs, you will discover that your own blessings, your own needs, will be met with surprising speed and grace. It's a powerful truth: sometimes, the fastest way to get what you need is to help someone else get what they need. Embrace Ubuntu; embrace the idea that I am because we are. Let us build our communities, and indeed our entire clan, on the foundation of Together Everyone Achieves MORE (Team)

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