Guiding Light

My spirit had landed on a dhow boat in the middle of the ocean.

I could see my own ship towering to the left side with its white sails blowing in the wind.

Three of my crewmen had decided to accompany me and investigate the mystery of the sinking boat.

I relayed orders to my men and they set about searching every nook and cranny.
Something was amiss—

I felt a presence down below and proceeded through a door that led to a long hallway.

As I started walking, I peered through each of the doors and found nothing inside;
Only empty spaces or broken furniture covered in dust.

My heart was beating faster as the water started rising above my feet.

I quickened my pace, but fear had slowly crept in my being.

What lay behind the last door that suddenly made my body want to take flight?

I was running out of time for my inner guide had whispered a sense of urgency to open the door and proceed to the top deck.

Refusing to give up I opened the last door and found a small ragged boy covered in dirt and a captain’s uniform.

He was surprised to see me but said nothing, only looking up at me with eyes that said his innocence was lost beyond measure.

I reached out my hand and smiled and said, “Come with me, I found your hat, it’s upstairs. You can put it on once we get to the top.”

He shook his head and I crouched down and opened my arms and we hugged for a moment.

“I am here now. Let’s get your ship sailing again.”

By the time we reached the top deck the little dhow boat was barely afloat.

My crew was ready to pull me back to my own vessel when I whistled to the wind and gently uttered five words... “Give him back his hat.”

And the ragged boy grinned for the first time and the dhow boat transformed into a magnificent ship.

“Farewell my dear one and see you soon,” as I sailed away into the universe.