The Man and the Bus Conductor - by Ølamïdhɛ👻

If there was an award for the loudest person in Lagos, the conductor of the yellow danfo bus would have won it every year without competition."Oshodi! CMS! Obalende! One chance no dey here o! Enter with your change!"His voice could wake someone sleeping in Ibadan.That Monday morning, the bus was already packed like a tin of sardines. A tall man wearing a neat white shirt squeezed himself inside. Before he could even stand properly, the conductor stretched out his hand."Oga, your fare!"The man searched his pockets. Left pocket. Right pocket. Back pocket. Nothing."Ah... I think I forgot my wallet at home."The conductor burst into laughter."You forgot your wallet? Oga, na me forget my landlord rent? Abeg, no motivational speech this morning. Bring money!"The passengers laughed.One woman added, "These days everybody dey forget wallet. Nobody dey forget phone."The man smiled awkwardly."I'll pay when I get to my destination."The conductor clapped dramatically."Everybody hear am! Next person go say him go pay next Christmas."More laughter filled the bus.Since the man had no money, he quietly got down. As the bus drove off, the conductor shouted through the window,"Next time remember your wallet before your face!"Everybody laughed again.The following day, the same man appeared at the same bus stop.The conductor saw him and whispered to the driver."Driver, see yesterday's wallet forgetter."The man entered calmly and immediately paid his fare.The conductor collected the money and joked,"Congratulations! Your wallet has resurrected."The passengers laughed again.A few minutes later, the bus was stopped by officials carrying identity cards.The conductor rolled his eyes."Another inspection. Today don spoil."The leader of the officials entered the bus, looked around... then smiled."Good morning, sir."Everyone turned.They weren't greeting the driver.They weren't greeting the conductor.They were greeting the man in the white shirt.The conductor froze.One officer said loudly,"Director, we've been looking for you."The whole bus became silent.The conductor's smile disappeared faster than NEPA light.The man stood up, brought out an official identity card and said calmly,"I work with the transport authority. Yesterday I boarded this bus to see how passengers are treated."The conductor almost fainted.He quickly knelt."Oga, abeg forgive me. Hunger was talking."One passenger whispered,"Hunger even insulted him."Another replied,"Hunger nearly sacked him."The driver quietly faced the steering wheel as if he had never met the conductor before.The inspector smiled."I wasn't angry because you asked for my fare. I was disappointed because you embarrassed someone without knowing their situation."The conductor apologized over and over.Instead of punishing him, the inspector warned him and said,"Every passenger deserves respect. Today it was me. Tomorrow it could be your own father."From that day, the conductor changed completely.Instead of shouting, he now said, "Good morning."He helped old women carry their bags.He waited for slow passengers.One day, another passenger forgot his wallet.Everyone expected drama.Instead, the conductor smiled and said,"Oga, sit down. Just don't forget tomorrow."The whole bus looked at him in surprise.One passenger whispered,"Who replaced this conductor?"Another replied,"Na inspection miracle."The bus exploded with laughter, and from that day, people preferred boarding that bus—not because it was fast, but because the conductor had finally learned that respect carries people farther than insults.Moral: You never know who is standing before you, so treat everyone with kindness and respect.

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