Short Story Travel – My Patience Played The Game
Photo credit: kumarnm from morguefile.com
I was a captain for a cruise ship which was destined to sail for a period of six days, our distance was in miles and we have to reach our destination by the seventh day. My friend robot was a captain of another cruise, which was set to depart along with my ship and our routes are same and our destinations as well.
Both of our ships consisted about 700 people on each board. After having a dinner at the port, we were ready to sail, everything was set, anchors were pulled up and the tow boats were towing our ships to the line. People on the board were waving good bye to their beloveds, some were happy and some were sad but all together made the fare well atmosphere on both the ships.
Just before we departed I had a small conversation with the Robert, he was in an active mood because it was his 50th sail and he shared his happy moments with me and I was glad. Both the ships were on sail, my crew was doing their work pretty well and as a captain I was doing mine. The both ships had intercom connected so we could communicate with each other all through the travel.
One day passed and everything was going good. Robert’s ship was just 200 meters away from us, the season we were on sail was a rainy one so, we had to keep monitoring the climate reports. It was around 12:40 am in the morning, I was reading my Bible and praying to my God and as soon I completed my prayer, my crew member came running and said – “Captain! we have a storm coming towards us and its massive, we better halt our journey for a while.”
I calmed him down and went aboard, looked at the situation and took the decision to slow down our ship. I’ve communicated with Robert and he agreed with my decision.
The storm was in deed heavy, all of a sudden the sea atmosphere changed, the waves were heavy and hitting our ship but I was sure that our ship can handle even worse than this. We anchored our ships and waited till the climate to settle and suitable for the sail. We announced a message to our passengers with the comforting words that everything is in control. It was 10 hours past, the storm and the climate was the same, I didn’t wanted to take risk so I decided not to move even a knot until everything calms down. While I was on the deck and watching the climate conditions with my telescope, I was surprised to see Robert’s ship, which was on sail and moving forward. I immediately went down and took the radio and communicated with him, asked him- “what are you doing?
and he replied- well friend! we have seen and faced many storms even more worse than this, time is money and the passengers are angry which is not good, so see you on the shore.”
I tried to stop him but he didn’t listen so I wished him a good journey.
In a mean while our intercom failed to connect due to stormy weather, the climate was still the same so I decided to wait for tonight, it was evening and few travellers came and asked me about our sail and I said them that – we will be moving as soon the storm calms down.
They were a bit in anger because as per the time they were aware that Robert’s ship might have almost a quarter far away from the destination. It was morning and the climate was still the same and I decided to wait until evening so I made an announcement about our delayed sail, soon after the announcement many passengers came and started yelling but I said – “We will sail! only when I say Yes and at this moment I say No”.
I know its almost 2 days delay, all are messed up with this delay but I didn’t wanted to risk their lives. I hoped that Robert might be very near to the destiny.
It was 3 pm and the climate was calmed down. We lifted the anchors and made our sail with the maximum speed we can, People on the board were very angry by the way I was but I never cared. It was the fastest sail I ever made, and as promised I made the reach on time that is we reached on exact day of destination but just 2 hours delay. All people who were getting down the ship were grumbling their teeth starring at me and I just neglected. I got down the ship and looked for Robert’s ship but was surprised to see that, it was not yet reached so I went to the control room and inquired about Robert, they said we have no information but the last update we had from him was on the fourth day. No body was worried because they believed in his capability and qualification, so did I.
It was the next morning, I had to sail back to where I have came from. So, I got up early had my breakfast and was reading the news and I was just shocked to read the news which stated “Storms struck the ship to sink, no survivors found” .
I was broke, remembering my friend Robert I just tore into tears,I was not able to digest the news. I just prayed to God to give rest to his soul. With the painful heart I was ready to sail back, then few people came by and stood beside me and said – apologies, I asked them the reason for it and they replied –
“If you had listened to our words or made a decision like the captain of the other ship, then we might have never made aboard nor met our beloveds, thank you so much, you are a great captain, God bless you”.
Listening this all, I was not proud nor pleased but all I was just thanking God because He taught me to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” and I am joyful of the hope I had and the patience I showed having faith. My patience played the game safe and sound.
My child I have been so far from you but never so far in heart. I write this letter so that you may learn to be Patient because Patience is what it requires to stand firm, So, when ever you are going through tough times don’t ever rush but be patient, think wise, act wise and live wise, I will be seeing you soon
-with love, your Dad,
Captain Reese
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