The Pauper's Dream...

[-Lacie-]

A man was sailing across a great ocean, towards what he always dreamt of... a better life. A pauper, he begged and saved his money until he had enough to afford passage on this grand ship. Once at sea, the man became dreadfully ill, swaying and swooning back and forth, wave after wave... it was something he had not expected, and wasn't happy about.

"This new life of mine hasn't really started off that well!", as he bent over the ship's banister... again, and spewed what little bread he was able to scrounge from the Galley's garbage.... off into the heaving ocean below.

The winds stilled one night; the bright moon was soon shadowed by massive storm clouds. The ship rocked and tossed in the turbulent water. The storm was viscous, the man grabbed a rope and tied it around himself, as he yet again, threw his upper body over the banister. The sickness was overwhelming, shadowing the severity of the storm.

The ship tossed wildly and suddenly capsized! Over the side went the man who risked all for a better life! As he had never been near the ocean in his entire, meager life.... he had never learned to swim.....

He awoke on a beach, sand in-between his teeth and in every crevice. He lifted his head to find himself on an island, but quite alive and mainly unharmed (except for that sand in-between his teeth, that is). He stood, surprised by the lack of injury and went to the shore, washing himself off.

After a while, he realized what had happened and that he was on his own! So, he began to gather the basics; some food, a place to lay down and rest without more sand everywhere, and then he thought of fresh water. He would have to look for that. Equipping himself with a sharp stick, he wandered towards the center of the island.

The heat was exhausting and he hadn't walked far before he heard a noise; something coming towards him! And quickly! As he turned, he saw a large ape-like creature running towards him. The man turned and ran, the ape throwing large, round objects at him. He bent down and grabbed one as he dashed to the shore and into the water.

The beast stopped at the edge of the jungle, saw the man go into the water and left, but not before throwing another of the green balls at him. The man was down-trodden. He had risked it all to be chased into salted water by a great beast!

He lay on his meager pallet and sulked. His anger got the better of him and he began stabbing the round ball that the beast had thrown at him. After several angry jabs, the ball cracked and liquid seeped from it. Tasting it, the man was surprised at the sweetness of the liquid. The sun was beginning to set and as he looked at the surf, fish jumped at low-flying bugs.

It was quite an epiphany! His eyes scanned the area; wood from trees, fruit containing fresh liquid, and the most beautiful beach with an exquisite sunset each evening. He even had a beast who would throw fresh liquid at him!

"Perhaps this was gold well-spent after all!", he muttered to himself as he drifted off to sleep.

The Captain of the ship tapped the man on the shoulder, wondering why he had chosen the pier to take a nap. "Sir, we will embark on our trip soon, if you will use the gangplank to board, please?"

The man wiped his eyes and looked up at the Captain. "Aye! I don't want to miss this chance of a lifetime!"