For days, Edward Bihemo could not stop thinking about what he had seen. The box. The chanting. The way his small money had become a big bundle. It was not a dream—he had touched the notes with his own hands.
At night he lay awake beside Mary, staring at the roof, whispering to himself, If I take more, I will get more.
Soon, he returned to Emmanuel's house, this time carrying 50,000 shillings. His whole body shook as he placed it in the wooden box. Again Emmanuel covered it, prayed, and after some time revealed a thick pile—five times larger than what Edward had brought.
Edward's heart raced. "It is real," he murmured. "It truly works."
Emmanuel leaned close, his voice deep. "Teacher, you are chosen. The spirits see you as worthy. But remember, money is energy—it must flow. Do not be afraid. Bring more, and your life will change."
Edward left the house with trembling hands, clutching his swollen pocket. He felt like the richest man alive.
Mary's Doubts
At home, Mary noticed his strange behavior. He came late, avoided her eyes, and often counted money alone in the bedroom.
One evening she asked softly, "Edward, where is this money coming from? You are only a teacher. We never had this much before."
Edward hesitated. He wanted to tell her, but a voice whispered inside him: Do not share the secret, or it will vanish.
He forced a smile. "The school gave me some extra pay. And I borrowed a little from friends."
Mary frowned. She had lived with him too long to believe such words. But she held her tongue.
---
The Neighbors Talk
Soon, neighbors began to notice. The teacher who always walked in old shoes now bought new ones. He carried money in his pocket and paid debts with ease. Some praised him. Others whispered, "He has gone to the witchdoctor."
The gossip reached Mary. One of her friends whispered, "Your husband is visiting a man called Emmanuel. They say he makes money with spirits. Be careful, sister."
Mary's heart grew heavy. That night she confronted Edward.
"Is it true? Are you going to this man?"
Edward's face hardened. "Do not ask what you do not understand. I am doing this for us—for you, for the children. Soon we will be rich. You will thank me."
Mary's eyes filled with tears. "But Edward, this is dangerous. Money cannot grow by magic. You are being deceived."
He turned away angrily. "You are a woman. What do you know about these things? Trust me."
---
The Trap Deepens
Week after week, Edward returned to Emmanuel. Each time he carried more. First 100,000 shillings. Then 200,000. Each time, the box seemed to produce more.
But Emmanuel began to change his tone. "The spirits are pleased, but they want more respect. Bring all that you have, and your blessings will be complete. If you hold back, the spirits will punish you."
Edward trembled. His mind told him to stop, but greed whispered louder. He began to borrow from friends, even from the school fund.
Mary begged him, "Please, stop this madness. We are risking everything."
But Edward could not hear her anymore. His heart was tied to Emmanuel's promises.
He told himself, Just one more time. One last offering, and I will never suffer again.
And with that thought, he prepared to carry the biggest sum of his life to Emmanuel's house.
Edward Bihemo stood outside Emmanuel's big house with his heart beating like a drum. In his bag lay all the money he could gather—nearly two million shillings. He had borrowed, begged, and even touched money that was not his. His hands shook as he thought, This will be the last time. After this, I will be rich forever.
Inside, Emmanuel greeted him warmly, his white robe shining in the candlelight.
"Teacher, you have been faithful," Emmanuel said smoothly. "The spirits are ready to bless you completely. Today, your life will change forever."
Edward nodded, sweating. He opened his bag and poured the thick bundles into the wooden box. His chest ached as he watched his hard-earned and borrowed money vanish under the lid.
Emmanuel chanted, louder than ever before. His assistants circled the box, sprinkling powder, clapping their hands. The air grew heavy, the candles flickered, and Edward felt dizzy.
Finally, Emmanuel covered the box with a black cloth and spoke with authority:
"The spirits must work overnight. Go home, teacher. Return tomorrow, and your money will be more than you can carry."
Edward's eyes widened. "Tomorrow?"
"Yes," Emmanuel said firmly. "Do not doubt, or the blessing will break."
Edward left the house trembling with both fear and hope. He barely slept that night. He dreamed of buying a new house, sending his children to private schools, and giving Mary a life of comfort.
---
The Empty Box
The next day, he rushed to Emmanuel's house. The gate was closed. He knocked. No answer. He knocked again, louder. Still silence.
Finally, a neighbor came out and said, "Are you looking for Emmanuel? He left early this morning. His house is empty."
Edward's stomach turned to stone. "Empty? What do you mean?"
"Gone," the man said. "He and his people packed everything and left."
Edward ran to the back of the house, shouting Emmanuel's name. But the windows were open, the doors wide. Inside, the rooms were bare. The box was gone. Emmanuel was gone. The money was gone.
Edward fell to his knees, his hands clutching his head. The ground spun beneath him. Everything—every coin, every hope—had disappeared like smoke.
---
Shame and Despair
When he returned home, Mary saw his face and knew. She said nothing at first, only watched as her husband sat in silence, his eyes empty. Finally, she whispered, "You have lost it, haven't you?"
Edward broke down. Tears streamed down his face. "All of it, Mary. Everything. He took it all."
Mary's heart ached. She was angry, but more than that, she was broken. She held him as he sobbed, both of them knowing their lives would never be the same.
The debts came soon after. Friends demanded their money. The school discovered missing funds. Edward's reputation as a respected teacher crumbled. People pointed at him in the street and whispered, "There goes the man who was fooled by Emmanuel."
---
The Police Investigation
Word of Emmanuel's trick spread fast. Many others came forward—farmers, traders, even businessmen—who had also given him money. Each had believed, each had lost.
The police began to search. Weeks later, Emmanuel was caught in another town, trying the same scam on new victims. He was arrested, handcuffed, and brought back in shame.
Edward was called to testify. He stood in court, his voice shaking, as he explained how he had been tricked. Emmanuel only smiled coldly, as if he felt no guilt.
The judge's words rang out: "This man deceived many with lies of magic. He used greed and desperation to steal. Let this be a warning to all." Emmanuel was sentenced to prison.
---
The Lesson
But even with Emmanuel behind bars, Edward's life was not the same. His debts remained. His pride was shattered.
One evening, sitting outside his small house, he spoke softly to his son. "My child, remember this for the rest of your life. There is no shortcut to riches. If someone tells you money can grow by magic, run away. Work hard, and be content with what you have. I learned too late."
His son listened, wide-eyed. Mary stood nearby, silent but strong.
Edward Bihemo never regained the money he lost. But he carried the story as a scar, a warning, a truth carved into his soul:
Magic money is a lie, and greed is the trap that makes men blind.
What is good tough about this story?