People say that fear is a learned behaviour. When I see how fearless my son can be sometimes, I am tempted to believe. The interesting part is that, when I was a child, I was afraid of so many things, many of which I still fear till date. Still, I really believe fear is not instinctive. In a sense, we pick up our fears along the way.
On a lighter note though, there are things which scared me as a child which are outrightly hilarious now. I listed out a few of them.
The dark
It’s funny how lights out signalled the beginning of nightmares and the arrival of all the monsters our imaginations could muster. Even now, many adults are ticked off if the lights come on one minute before we’re ready to wake up.
Clowns, mascots, and teddy bears
These otherwise fun, cuddly characters have caused more people to wet their pants in fear than they would like to admit. And while it’s funny now, I still want to knock those people who would taunt us by saying, ‘Fear, fear!’ *side eye*.
Scarecrows
These are funny now that we are grown and we know what they are really meant for, but back when we were kids, those things were nightmare inducing. But that’s why they work, I guess.
Masquerades (Ojuju)
Growing older and learning that it was just fellow humans like me in those hideous masks made me feel like slapping all the older people who scared me by shouting ‘ojuju!’ especially at night. Lol.
Our parents
Yes! If you weren’t even a little bit scared of your parents (your father especially!) as a child, you’re either not Nigerian, or you’re just plain lucky (or really gutsy!) Those folks who would put the fear of God in us as kids are now so chill, it’s downright funny.
Nollywood movies and soundtracks
All those movies with witchcraft and rituals were frightening abeg, and the soundtracks were downright menacing. From Diamond Ring to Blood Money and Igodo, those movies that once robbed us of sleep are now hilarious especially with how we pick holes in everything from the plots to the acting.
How many of these can you relate to? Please share those and others not on the list with us in the comments.