Write a story in your school magazine beginning or ending with the sentence; I wish I had never met the man.

Answer Details

The Smooth Stranger

I wish I had never met the man. Even now, whenever I remember how it all began, a cold shiver runs through me.

It was during the last long vacation. I had gone to the motor park to travel home when a well-dressed gentleman approached me with a broad smile. He introduced himself as Mr. Danladi, a talent scout, and said he had been watching me and was impressed by my confidence. He claimed to represent a modelling and film company in the city and promised to make me a star. All I had to do, he said, was to follow him to an office where I would sign a contract worth a large sum of money.

My heart leapt with excitement. The offer seemed too good to be true, yet his manner was so convincing that I ignored the little voice of caution within me. He bought me a soft drink, praised my looks, and told me stories of other young people he had made rich. Foolishly, I agreed to go with him the following day.

That night, however, I mentioned the matter to my uncle, a retired police officer. His face darkened at once. He explained that fraudsters used exactly such sweet promises to lure unsuspecting young people, some of whom were never seen again. He insisted on accompanying me to the so-called office.

When we arrived at the address Mr. Danladi had given, there was no company, no office, only an abandoned building. My uncle quickly reported the man at the nearest police station. Days later, we learned that the smiling stranger had been arrested while trying to deceive another victim, and that he was wanted for several cases of kidnapping.

I shudder to think what would have become of me had I gone alone. To this day, the memory fills me with regret and gratitude in equal measure. Truly, I wish I had never met the man.