Mr. Ade was a simple farmer in a small Nigerian village. He was a well-respected man in his community. His heart was kind, and his laughter, louder than most. Yet, in his humble way of life, he made one grave mistake. A mistake that cost him dearly in the future.

Ade was fortunate to have a big family which included three sons and two daughters. They were all as strong and as healthy as young lions. And as playful too. Yet, Mr. Ade held a very traditional view on education.

To him, education was simply a means of learning to read and write. Beyond that, he believed, guiding his children in the ways of farming and raising livestock was the best knowledge he could give them.

And so, he refused to send them to school. As they grew older, they were involved in farming and other domestic chores. In his eyes, his children were doing just fine. They were learning the ways of the land and the community respected them.

But the world was changing. The village was slowly transforming with modern advancements creeping in. As the years rolled by, these changes became more and more prominent.

New schools were built, new businesses sprouted, and technologies like the radio, telephone, and later, the television, found their way into every home. Except for one- Mr. Ade's.

His children, now young adults, started feeling the effects of their father's decision. Their friends, educated and enlightened, were moving ahead in life, securing jobs outside the village and leading lives they could only dream of.

Mr. Ade's oldest son, Obi, was the first to vent his frustration. Working from dawn to dusk in his father's farm, he realized the limitations of his life. He longed for a different future, one that schooling could have provided.

His sisters, Nia and Zuri, felt a similar resentment. They hated being confined to the village, their lives revolving around farm work and household chores. They yearned for more. More knowledge. More opportunities.

Despite their frustration and resentment, they still loved their father. They knew he had made the choices he thought were best for them. However, they couldn't help but wish for a different life. A life they believed was within their grasp, had they been educated.

Eventually, the harsh reality dawned upon Mr. Ade as well. He saw his children struggling, their dreams stifled due to lack of education. He felt the pain of their unfulfilled aspirations.

It was a bitter lesson. Mr Ade realised, too late, that education was not just about reading and writing. It was about learning skills, gaining knowledge and having opportunities. And now, his children were deprived of all these.

One day, Mr. Ade called his children. With a heavy heart and teary eyes, he confessed his mistake. He lamented that he had let his old beliefs hinder their growth and apologized for his ignorance.

His children, though hurt, forgave him. They knew their father cared for them and regretted his decision. But it was too late to undo the past. Their youth had slipped away, and with it, their dreams.

As for Mr. Ade, he became an advocate for education in his village, stressing its importance at every gathering. He wanted to prevent other parents from making the same mistake he did.

And in his heart, he promised himself that if he were given another chance, he would leave his children the legacy of education - the best legacy of all.

Tears pooled in his eyes as he gazed at his grown children. He wished he had realized the importance of education earlier. However, he took solace in the fact that he was now doing his part to ensure no other child in his village would face a similar fate.

Mr. Ade's story is a reminder of the pivotal role education plays in our lives. It's not just about reading, writing, or arithmetic. It's about broadening horizons, opening doors to opportunities, and fulfilling dreams.

Education is a powerful tool that can transform the lives of individuals and communities alike. Let's ensure we do our part in spreading its importance and making it accessible to all.

This is the lesson that Mr. Ade learned, albeit the hard way. But his story also serves as a beacon of hope. It shows that it's never too late to right a wrong, or to change a viewpoint. Even though he couldn't revert his past mistake, he ensured his regret fueled a positive change in his community.

So, let's remember Mr. Ade's lesson, and the legacy he wanted to leave his children. Let's remember the power of education, and strive to provide it for every child. Because indeed, education is the best legacy one can leave for one's children.