The Old Ship

                A battle worn and well tested ship floated aimlessly over the ocean current. A curious vessel still very pleasing to the eye, the outside still looked fresh and relatively new however upon further investigation on the inside it was obvious that this ship had been through many harsh storms and visited ports across the world. He was a traveling ship built to travel the seas and go places other ships were either too inferior or too afraid to travel. The ports all wanted him to stay and often cried when he departed. The ship wasn’t sure what his final destination was but he knew he had not found it, yet.

One day there was a tremendous storm, the ship had never before seen such a tempest. He battled through slowly and barely made it out alive. He could barely see the light of the lighthouse signaling him to land and pushed through with all his might. After struggling for weeks and following that small beacon of light, the storm subsided and land was in sight. He sighed at the welcome sight of land. Never before had he been so happy to see such a tiny island.

He docked at the local station, something he had often done, but something was different. This young woman touched him with a touch he had not felt. This ship had been around the world and seen many docks and attendants but no one had ever made him feel this way. For the first time ever, this ship felt like he could stay in this port forever. The attendant would come and give him the attention that he needed, fixing his boards and repainting the surface. They would talk for hours, him telling her of his many travels and her listening intently to his stories of far off lands. As a well worn sea traveler this ship could have a way of sending most females running with a twisted of expression of shock and horror but not her. She actually enjoyed listening to him and hearing him recount these many tales.

Life on land wasn’t perfect, either. This beautiful, young woman had seen her troubles as well. The ship listened to her story of lost loves and ships that turned out to be much harsher on the inside than she had previously thought. He was amazed at how much he actually cared for this attendant, in a way he did not think he was capable. Suddenly, he thought of docking here and becoming a local ship, a thought which had never before occurred to him. He brushed this thought away quickly but it would return just as quickly and soon became like a nest of hornets buzzing around inside his hull urging him to take a chance.

                After a particularly great discussion, the ship had had it. He could no longer take it. “I’m giving it up!,” He told the maiden. “I want to become a local ship here and you can be my full-time attendant. I don’t want to travel to any more ports and I don’t want anymore attendants.” The maiden seemed flattered by this but refused.

                “I can’t stop you from traveling the ports,” She said with a tear. “I just don’t think I’m ready.” The ship was shocked. After all of his travels and the attendants that had cried and begged him to stay, now, he has decided to dock and he was rejected! This couldn’t be! He tried to convince her but it was to no avail. It just wasn’t time. “Perhaps you could travel and return. If you come again I may be ready.” She offered.

                The ship could no longer stay in the port. “I am a traveling ship,” He said, somewhat embarrassed now. “That’s what I’m made for and that’s what I’m best at. I will do my job.” He turned around and headed out of port. As he passed the cove a nail, jutting out of the maiden’s dock grabbed to his hull. Not wanting to stay even one more second he heaved as hard as he could, tearing a jagged gash through his side. It tore him from bow to stern but, fortunately was high enough that he remained afloat.

                The tired ship was wandering again aimlessly through the ocean, his scar glinting in the sunlight. “This is what I’m made for,” He thought. “How could I think any different?”