There was a small boy named Chidi. He lived in a quiet village with his parents. Behind their house stood a big mango tree. Every year, the tree gave many sweet mangoes.
Chidi loved mangoes very much. He liked their sweet smell and juicy taste. Every day after school, he looked up at the tree to check if the mangoes were ready.
One afternoon, Chidi saw that some mangoes were turning yellow. He became very excited.
“Papa, can we pluck the mangoes today?” he asked.
His father looked at the tree and said, “Not yet. They need a few more days. If you wait, they will be sweeter.”
But Chidi did not want to wait. He wanted the mangoes immediately.
The next day, when his parents were inside the house, Chidi went outside with a long stick. He hit the branches.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Some mangoes fell to the ground. Chidi quickly picked them up. But when he bit one, it was hard and sour. It was not sweet at all.
As he looked up, he saw that he had broken a small branch of the tree. He felt afraid.
Later, his father came outside and saw the broken branch and the unripe mangoes on the ground.
“Who did this?” his father asked calmly.
Chidi wanted to say nothing. But he knew that lying would make things worse.
“I did it, Papa,” he said quietly. “I did not wait.”
His father sat down beside him and said, “My son, good things take time. When you rush, you spoil what could have been better.”
Chidi felt sorry. He helped to clean the fallen mangoes and promised to wait next time.
A few days later, the mangoes became fully ripe. They were big, yellow, and sweet. His father plucked them carefully and shared them with the family.
When Chidi tasted the ripe mango, he smiled. It was much sweeter than the one he rushed to eat.
From that day, Chidi learned to be patient.
Moral: When you wait patiently, you enjoy better results.
Kids and Health
What Is Jock Itch?
Jock itch is a fungal infection of the skin that affects the groin, upper thighs, and buttocks.
What causes jock itch?
Jock itch is a common skin infection that is caused by a fungus (say: FUN-guss). A fungus is a microorganism (say: my-kro-OR-guh-niz-um) too small to be seen by the naked eye.
Who gets jock itch?
Jock itch mostly happens in teen and young adult guys. But kids and women can get it too. People who sweat a lot can get it, especially if they wear athletic equipment (a “jock strap”) in their groin area.
Why is it called jock itch?
Jock itch gets its name because athletes often get it. Why? The fungus that causes it can be found where athletes often are. The fungus grows on the warm, damp surfaces around pools, public showers, and locker rooms. People who touch these surfaces can get the fungus on their hands. Or they might use a damp towel that has the jock itch fungus on it. Then it can easily spread to the sweaty areas of their body, such as the groin area.
What are the signs & symptoms of jock itch?
If you get jock itch, it might feel just a little annoying — or it could be really uncomfortable! It usually looks like a red rash with raised edges, and might itch or burn.
What will the doctor do?
A doctor can usually figure out that you have jock itch by looking at the skin on your inner thighs or groin. Your doctor may swab or scrape off a skin sample to test for fungus. But don’t worry — this won’t hurt!
Treatment is usually simple. For mild cases, your doctor may have you apply a powder that contains medicine or cream that kills fungus. This should make you feel better in a few days. Sometimes you’ll need to use the medicine for up to a month to get rid of the jock itch completely.
You’ll also need to keep your groin area clean and dry. If doing these things doesn’t help clear up the infection, your doctor might prescribe a stronger medicine. This one will be the kind you swallow, not just something that you put on your skin.
Jock itch prevention
You can do your part to avoid jock itch by:
· Taking a shower or bath every day (especially after playing sports and sweating) and drying off very well after.
· Wearing clean cotton underwear and loose-fitting pants.
· Changing your clothing, especially your underwear, every day.
· Using clean towels and not sharing towels or clothes.
Quiz
1. Which Nigerian state is known as the “Land of Hospitality”?
2. What is the name of Nigeria’s national youth anthem?
3. Which Nigerian city is famous for its oil industry?
4. What is the name of Nigeria’s lower legislative chamber?
5. Which Nigerian state is home to Olumo Rock?
6. Who was Nigeria’s first female Vice Chancellor?
7. Which Nigerian river meets River Benue at Lokoja?
Quiz
1. Akwa Ibom State 2. “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” 3. Port Harcourt 4. House of Representatives 5. Ogun State 6. Grace Alele-Williams 7. River Niger
Did You Know?
1. Akwa Ibom is known for its rich culture and tourism.
2. Port Harcourt is often called the “Oil City” of Nigeria.
3. The House of Representatives has more members than the Senate.
4. Olumo Rock is a historic tourist site in Abeokuta.
5. Grace Alele-Williams was the first female Vice Chancellor in Nigeria.
6. Lokoja is known as the Confluence Town.
7. Nigeria celebrates Independence Day every October 1.
Riddles
1. What has a bed but never sleeps?
2. What can fly without wings?
3. What has a mouth but never talks?
4. What has many teeth but cannot bite?
5. What goes up but never comes down?
6. What has hands but cannot clap?
7. What has a ring but no finger?
Answer
1. A river 2. Time 3. A river 4. A comb 5. Your age 6. A clock 7. A telephone
