The Luck Charm

Tomasi Manda, an intelligent boy whose rational mind rejects
belief in witchcraft, does something that causes his mother and elder
brother to fear that he might be bewitched.They decide to put
“protective medicine” into his blood. But their problem is how to get
Tomasi to accept the medicine, having once before failed to convince him
to have such protection. However, when Tomasi passes his primary school
examinations and is selected for a boarding secondary school away from
home, the two approach him with the medicine disguised as a charm,
something that would bring him good luck from the strangers among whom
he will now be living. Tomasi initially rejects the offer, but when, to
his surprise, he sees that this causes his mother great pain, he lets
her insert into his blood “the totally useless powder.” Then certain
things begin to happen to Tomasi which, unable to explain them
otherwise, he can’t help thinking are being caused by the potion his
mother has put in his blood. Eventually he becomes convinced that he now
has a potent luck charm in his body, and reaches the frightening
conclusion that from now on his life will be run by this charm. What is
he to do?