The Weed

The Weed

Roy Mathews

“Good evening, Mrs. Siaosi. My name is Ms. Thompson, and I have the pleasure of serving as both tutor and teacher to your sons, Mose and William.” began Ms. Thompson as she welcomed Rosetta to their first parent-teacher interview.

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me to discuss your children’s progress. Your active involvement in their education is greatly appreciated.” She added.

Although often dreaded by students of all ages, the parent-teacher interview was a highly anticipated event for most parents, including Rosetta. It was a day marked with anxious anticipation as she eagerly awaited to hear about her sons’ academic achievements and areas of improvement.

“Thank you, Ms. Thompson. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet with you and discuss my sons’ progress” Rosetta said as she hastily took the seat offered to her.

After a quick glance at the papers on the desk in front of her, Rosetta asked, “How are they doing? Are they any good?”

Ms Thompson turned her attention to Rosetta, who was leaning forward intently, eager to hear the assessment of her sons’ academic achievements.

“Well, Mrs. Siaosi, I have both good news and not-so-good news for you” replied Ms Thompson. 

“William is an outstanding student. He has consistently achieved excellent grades in all his exams and his teachers have only glowing praise for him. I have no concerns about his education at this institution”

Ms Thompson paused for a moment before continuing. “As for your son Mose, I understand your concerns, but I must say, he is a great kid. He possesses many talents that his brother does not have.”

Rosetta cut in, “Yes, his talents, kicking the rugby ball around and making people laugh with his silly jokes. I have no faith in him passing any exams.”

Ms Thompson remained calm and professional, “ I would not underestimate Mose, Mrs Siaosi. He is a unique individual with skills that should be celebrated. While he may not excel academically like his brother, he has other strengths that should not be overlooked.”

“Mrs Siaosi, your son Mose is only fifteen years old. The winds of change may blow in his favour one day. “Like wildflowers, he may have a sweet fragrance that will bloom in unexpected ways, filling your home with a delightful scent.” Said Ms Thompson in a comforting tone.

“Yes, my expectations for my son William are high. He has the potential to lift us up, and I have great confidence in him. You see, Ms Thompson, when he comes home, all he does is his school work and bible study. However, Mose is a different story. He arrives late after rugby practices, cooks for the family, and consumes a large portion of what he makes. He seems allergic to schoolwork, and after eating, he spends his time watching sports on TV and sleeping soundly until I wake him up in the morning.” Rosetta said in a gruff tone.

The parent-teacher interview with Ms Thompson lasted around ten minutes. Rosetta collected her sons’ report cards and carefully placed them in a folder. She thanked Ms Thompson for her time and hurriedly left the building, aware that she was running late for her church committee meeting. Rosetta and her husband Siaosi were regular church-goers, and dedicated lots of time and even wealth for their parish and their ministers. To them, the church is the head and if the head loses its balance, the entire body would suffer. They brought up their children with similar views but Mose was a difficult child. 

Rosetta craned her neck to catch a glimpse of the pulpit through the women in the not-so-large crowd. Most of them seemed to be comfortably dozing off after a long day at work but occasionally waking up and fanning themselves and the person sitting beside them with extra vigor. 

“A rich man owned a large farmland. He decided to cultivate the land rather than leave it as a wasteland. He hired some laborers to plow the land and sow seeds of leafy vegetables. Soon, the seeds began to sprout—but not just the vegetable seeds. The seeds of weeds also found the fertile soil just as inviting. It became difficult to distinguish the healthy vegetable plants from the thriving weeds.

The laborers went to their master and said, “Master, master, we followed your instructions. We sowed only the seeds of vegetables, but now the weeds have grown just as healthy as the plants we wanted to flourish. What should we do? Shall we pull out the weeds before they become uncontrollable?”

The minister’s euphonious voice didn’t seem to inspire the women in the congregation to ponder his theology. Instead, his question lingered in the air:

“What would the master say to his laborers?” The minister resumed his insipid sermon. “Do you think the master would permit his servants to uproot all the weeds?”

“The master would say, ‘No, my faithful servants, the land is mine, and the weeds are also mine. Give them another chance to see if they bear anything good. After all, who are you to call them weeds? The Lord has made them for a purpose, and you have no right to pull them out.’”

Reverend Siaosi twisted and embellished biblical parables to hold his congregation’s attention.

“Some might call you useless, good for nothing,” he continued, “but remember—you are not a weed. No one can pull you out. Our Lord created you and me. He alone has the right to decide when to uproot us. He is patient and kind and wants even the weeds to produce something good.”

As Siaosi’s words flowed, Rosetta couldn’t help but think, This parable is all about my son, Mose.

Mose’s aversion to the church was a constant topic raised by Reverend Siaosi whenever he spoke with Rosetta.

Mose's educational journey was cut short when he left school before graduation to pursue his passion for rugby. He joined the local rugby club, playing every weekend while working weekdays at a packaging company. Determined to support his family, Mose eventually persuaded Rosetta to stop working, deeply concerned about her declining health and energy levels.

During one family meal, Mose reassured his mother, "Mum, you don't have to work anymore. I’ll find a better job and take care of the family."

Rosetta, however, encouraged him to consider further education or training. "You’re too young, my boy," she said. "You should find a good course to attend and get into a trade."

But Mose remained resolute. He insisted on waiting for William to complete university and secure a job before making decisions about his own career path.

After thirty years of dedicated service at a carpet factory, Rosetta retired and became a homemaker. Meanwhile, Mose emerged as the family's primary financial pillar, working tirelessly to provide for them and ensure their financial stability despite the challenges they faced.

In contrast, William's career was soaring to new heights, marked by a string of achievements that filled the family with pride. It was the realization of a dream Rosetta had cherished since the boys were born—a hope that both her sons would achieve great success. Yet, she understood that some things are beyond human control, guided instead by the hand of fate and a higher power.

William's university graduation day was a joyous occasion for the Siaosi family. Rising early, they eagerly prepared for the momentous event. Mose took the day off from work to attend, while Rosetta busied herself crafting beautiful floral garlands for her son, as well as his tutors and lecturers. The vibrant regalia of the professors and graduates left Rosetta and Mose in awe. My Mose never had such a privilege, Rosetta thought, the bittersweet realization creeping into her heart. Crystal-clear blue Auckland skies never seem to last long. Rosetta glanced at Mose, who was marveling at the grandeur of the city and the ceremony, laughing and joking with his mates—and even with strangers.

Now a distinguished healthcare professional, Dr. William Siaosi has made remarkable strides while serving in the UK's National Health Service. His outstanding accomplishments have become the envy of many peers in his home country, New Zealand. Several prestigious scholarships from New Zealand universities enabled him to pursue advanced studies and research at some of Europe’s most renowned academic institutions.

During his time abroad, William met and fell in love with his future wife. Their wedding was a small, intimate ceremony held at a luxurious London hotel, attended by close colleagues—mostly doctors and nurses—and her immediate family. Dr. Siaosi invited Rosetta and Mose to attend, but concerns about Rosetta’s age and travel constraints kept them from making the journey.

Determined to include them, William arranged a live video link to the ceremony, allowing Rosetta and Mose to witness the event from their small mobile screens in New Zealand. While Rosetta cherished the chance to see her son’s wedding, she wistfully expressed her hope for a traditional Samoan celebration, where all their family and church community could gather to witness the union.

The Pohutukawa tree stood majestically in front of Rosetta's family home, a living testament to resilience and endurance. It had weathered countless hurricanes, its roots gripping the earth with unwavering strength. Each summer, its crimson blossoms burst into life, carpeting the ground below in fiery vermilion and marking the end of a long, grueling year. Though time had claimed some of its limbs, leaving them gnarled and bare, the sturdy trunk remained steadfast, a silent witness to the passage of seasons. Despite chilly, stormy winters and sweltering summers, the pohutukawa’s grandeur remained unchanged.

The tree had been a sanctuary for Mose and William during their childhood. They spent countless summer days playing beneath its cool shade, climbing its branches like agile primates. The neighborhood children would gather under its sprawling canopy for games and mock battles, their laughter echoing through the air. Once the human commotion subsided, the avian community reclaimed the tree with vigor, filling the twilight with their songs until darkness fell.

Just like the pohutukawa, signs of aging had crept upon Rosetta, and she now spent much of her time within the confines of her home, often resting in bed and reflecting on the arduous journey she had traversed. Despite the years, her concern for her children’s well-being remained unwavering. Mose, tirelessly working day and night, had yet to marry—a fact that weighed on her heart. In contrast, William had found success in every aspect of life, enjoying wealth, prestige, and a loving spouse.

The tuis, frequent visitors to the pohutukawa tree, continued their morning serenades for Rosetta, their melodious songs a source of comfort even after the flowering season. Yet, there was a lingering sorrow—William had not visited his mother since leaving for England, a void that even the vibrant pohutukawa could not fill.

Mose didn’t go to work that day; he had to take Rosetta to the hospital. The diagnosis was difficult to hear—her kidneys were deteriorating and no longer functioning as they should. Dialysis would soon be necessary. Her doctors recommended she stay at the hospital overnight for further observation.

Mose remained by her side throughout, even as she slept. He brought the special meals prescribed by her doctors and gently but firmly encouraged her to eat, even when she resisted.

As Rosetta lay in the hospital bed, her thoughts wandered. She reflected on how her once-rebellious son had transformed into a devoted and selfless caregiver. A wave of gratitude washed over her as she realized the depth of Mose’s sacrifices for her sake.

Her mind drifted to the words of Reverend Siaosi’s sermon: “Nothing is a weed; each life created by the Almighty has a role to play.” She recalled how she once feared Mose might become a disgrace to the family.

“Who is the weed now?” she wondered, her heart heavy with both remorse and pride.

When she opened her eyes, she saw Mose standing beside her with a warm drink in his hand, patiently waiting for her to wake up.