Sharon and her gold-digging friend

Philomina

Once upon a time, in the serene village of

Patasi, nestled within the heart of the

Sekyere Central District in the Ashanti

Region of Ghana, there lived two

childhood friends, Sharon and Philomina.

They were inseparable, having grown up

together in this picturesque village.

Patasi was known for its lush greenery,

friendly villagers, and a sense of

community that was truly heartwarming.

Sharon and Philomina attended school in

Nsuta, the capital town of the Sekyere

Central District. Their journey to school

was a daily adventure, as they had to

cross winding paths through the dense

forests, the tall mahogany trees providing

a comforting canopy above. The school

in Nsuta was their gateway to knowledge

and dreams beyond the village

boundaries.
Sharon was known for her unwavering

determination and kindness. She was the

daughter of a humble farmer, and despite

the hardships her family faced, she

always shared her meager lunch with her

friends. Philomina, on the other hand,

hailed from a well-off family in the

village. Her father owned a successful

cocoa plantation, and they lived in a

grand house that stood out amidst the

modest huts of Patasi.

As they grew older, their lives took

different paths. Sharon remained true to

her roots, cherishing the simplicity of

village life, while Philomina began to

yearn for a more luxurious existence. She

became enchanted by the tales of city life

and the allure of wealth.

One sunny afternoon, as they were

returning from school, Philomina shared

her newfound ambitions with Sharon.

She spoke of the glittering city lights,

designer clothes, and the promise of a

life filled with luxuries. Sharon, with her

warm smile, supported her friend’s

aspirations but remained grounded in her

own dreams of helping her community

and becoming a teacher.

As the years passed, Philomina’s

obsession with wealth grew stronger. She

began to distance herself from Sharon

and her simple life in Patasi. She sought

out friends from more affluent

backgrounds and often belittled her

village upbringing. Her desire for wealth

became all-consuming, leading her to

make questionable choices.

Philomina started dating rich city boys

who had little regard for her true self.

Her relationships were shallow, and she

was used by these men for her family’s

wealth. In her pursuit of material wealth,

she forgot the values of honesty and

kindness that Sharon had held dear.

Meanwhile, Sharon excelled in her

studies and pursued her dream of

becoming a teacher. She returned to

Patasi as a qualified educator and worked

tirelessly to provide quality education to

the children of her village. She was loved

and respected by all for her dedication to

her community.
One fateful day, Philomina, now

disillusioned and deeply entangled in her

pursuit of wealth, made a drastic

decision. She conspired with some of her

city friends to deceive her family and

make off with a substantial portion of

their cocoa harvest, intending to sell it

for a vast sum in the city. Her actions

were driven by greed and a desire to

escape her life in Patasi.

However, her plan was foiled when the

villagers discovered her deceit. The once-

respected Philomina was shamed and

ostracized by the very community she

had abandoned. In her moment of need, it

was Sharon who extended a hand of

forgiveness and support. She reminded

Philomina of the values they had shared

as children and the importance of family

and community.
In the end, Philomina realized the

emptiness of her pursuit of wealth and

the true worth of her roots in Patasi. She

returned to her family, seeking

forgiveness and vowing to make amends.

With Sharon’s guidance, she found a way

to use her family’s cocoa plantation for

the betterment of their village, providing

employment and opportunities for the

villagers.
As the years went by, Philomina learned

the importance of humility, compassion,

and community, values that Sharon had

cherished all along.

The two friends, once inseparable but

driven apart by the lure of wealth,

reunited with a stronger bond and a

shared purpose – to uplift their beloved

Patasi and ensure a brighter future for all

who called it home.

Together, they proved that the true

treasure lay not in material riches but in

the richness of the heart and the strength

of the community.