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The day he was to leave the country with his team from Nigeria, Ngozi prayed for him and wished him the best of luck. "Please, come home with a gold medal. Bring glory to yourself and our country, Nigeria", she said.

"Don't worry sister, I will make our family and country proud". Odili promised.
It was the first time he would board an airplane, and he was eager to travel by air. The sports officials in collaboration with the federal government would take care of the flight and other aspects of comfort. Ngozi and her husband only gave him some money which he could use to buy one or two things for himself. He thanked them and went on to meet Coach Adamu who would also travel to South Africa with him.

The competition began in Johannesburg, and Odili was surprised to see so many dwarfs from other parts of Africa. "Oh my God! I thought we had dwarfs only in Nigeria, and not other parts of the country", he said to a white friend he chatted with at the stadium. His shirt had the flag colours of green-white-green and he looked a bit handsome in it. During the shot put throw, twelve contestants were called out. They had their sports wears on, and moved to the circle-side where they were to do their throws. Odili was one of them and he looked forward to doing his best. The winner would represent Africa at the up-coming Olympic Games. From the first to the last shot putter, Odili's throw was the farthest. He broke a record of 21.12m. That made him top the list which was shown on the electronic score list for every spectator and sports analyst to see. His name, record and flag of Nigeria lay side by side and that made Nigerians at the event very happy and proud.

The following day, Odili was given a gold medal in shot put. He was very happy as his image was shown on T.V. Ngozi and her husband watched Odili receive his medal. He was not called Odili but referred to as 'Greg'. Ngozi picked up her mobile phone and gave her mother a call.

"Mama, did you watch Odili on T.V? She asked. "How can I? I have not finished picking my melon seeds let alone watching T.V. But, did you say that Odili was shown on T.V.? Said Mama Odili. "Yes mama oh! You have missed. Odili my brother, your son, who many thought would be useless is now a national hero", said Ngozi happily as she disengaged the call.

"How can i watch T.V. when there is no regular power supply in this village? He will come and meet me here. Thank you God! My son is now a national hero",said mama as she began to dance like a breast-feeding kangaroo. When Odili returned to the country, he did not go to the village. He asked his mother to come and celebrate with him at Ngozi's house. The Olympic games was in three months time and he had to continue his training so as to be a better sports man. Since what is worth doing at all is worth doing well, he put all his focus on shot put. The Olympic was a bigger game, done in a bigger arena and this time was going to hold in France. "Mama, can you see your one-time useless son has become a person representing his country. Mama, am I still useless?" said Odili.

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"when you return to Umude, tell Oluchi and everyone that has called me useless name that I am now a known Nigerian and not only a village champion" said Odili. "Don't worry son, I will tell them when I return home",said his mother. Odili's monetary reward from the government was the sum of two million and five hundred thousand Naira. He decided to work harder to represent the country. The Olympic games in France came and went and Odili who was referred to as 'Greg' became a champion again. He won a gold medal and was finely decorated. He was given the sum of ten million naira by the president of his country, a beautiful car and a house in Lagos State. His joy knew no bound. "To be great, one needs to be focused and hard working". He told the interviewer when asked what his next plans would be be after the Olympics and he said that he would go back to school...

I will go back to school and become a more better person", he promised himself. His face was on every daily news paper in the country with the nickname 'Greg', the national hero? Other dwarfs who still struggled to live a normal life became encouraged that a good thing could eventually come out of them as a result of what Odili had become. Three days later, a beautiful jeep drove into Umude, passers-by struggled to check who owned it as it moves gently on the rugged road.. The car suddenly stopped by the side of a young woman carrying a basket of food stuff on her head with a baby on her back.

Odili peeped from the owner's seat after he had wind down the side glass and called: "Oluchi".
"What! Odili! Hey!! Odili the shortest! Odili the demon. Is that really you! "startled Oluchi.
"No! This is Odili, the hero. Come in and let me help you to your place" said Odili.
"No! I don't want",shouted Oluchi as she began to walk as fast as she could.
"Yes! Odili the failure; the shortest; the demon, is now a hero. You can also be a hero if you are focused and work diligently. With God, all things are possible. Driver! "sir" "Drive me to my mama! " ordered Odili as the car went on to Mama Odili's compound.

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GOD BLESS