【Short Story】"Who is A Just Judge?" by OLEPA #4
His graduation marked the end of college studies and the beginning of a long journey in pursuit of a job. He attended many interviews. To his disappointment, he always misses and opportunity despite performing well in the interviews. Mandalay started pointing fingers to his fellow elder and neighbor Jonte and faulted him for his son’s misfortunes accusing him of visiting a witch. He remembered how he appeared for an interview in a local newspaper company for a past in newspaper vendor. He then eavesdropped the panelists saying they already had their choice but they are doing interview to avoid public scrutiny. Mbaku hearing so, had vanished from the hall furiously. He wondered whether his country will ever be free and fair. Among all those interview fails, he would never forget how he missed a chance to be a Township Law Courts Clerk. His region was one of the beneficiary of on effort of the government to devote the judicial process and to ease the problem of delayed justice owing to few number of courts. After buying a quarter kilogram of beef for his family’s dinner, once a month affair anyway, the newspaper that the butcherman wrapped him the piece carried the all important message.
JUDICIAL SERVICE BODY HEREBY INVITES ALL INTERESTED APPLICANTS FOR A POST IN A CLERICAL JOB. TO SERUE IN NEW TOWNSHIP LAW COURTS, THE APPLICANTS SHOULD HOLD A UNIVERSITY DEGREE IN ANY FIELD AND SHOULD BE FROM BANDA REGION.
After confirming that the news were not outdated, Mbaku was happy and finally thought that his chance has come. The following morning he attached his neatly written letter with relevant documents and dropped them in Civil Service Affair in Banda Town. On the big day, he dressed in his only pair of buggy black suit and left early for the interview because he would cover the better part of journey by foot before catching a bus to Banda Town. All the other applicants were anxious and eager to appear before the panel. His turn came and Mbaku swiftly entered the room. He answered all the questions accordingly and presented his required papers. Unlike other interviews he had attended, he could feel that he had performed satisfactorily for this.
