A Smooth Sea Never Made for a Skillful Sailor

The sea trembled with soft waves, pushing the wooden ship along its course to meet its journey’s end. The ship gently rocked in peaceful excitement, as its captain and only crew member waded around the deck, marveling over the beauty of the open ocean. The sun shone brightly, casting a yellow glow on the captain’s cheeks. His hazel eyes glistened with content, a soft breeze blowing his brown locks away from his forehead and slightly into his eyes. A small dog kept him company on the lonesome trip, acting as both a friend and guide to the end of their adventure.

Had this not been the first time he was upon this boat travelling through these seas, he would have been more aware of his constantly changing environment. However, through sheer lack of knowledge, he was unknown to the danger of the seas when they became too much. Many travelers had fought through dangerous seas, but none quite as treacherous as these.

The sun slowly began to sink into the ocean as the man became more cautious of his lack of light. The soft glow beginning to set and light quickly disappearing, he made his way to his cabin, allowing his tired form to slouch against the bed. Kissing goodnight a photo of a woman and two children, a boy and a girl, he let his eyelids flutter closed: a very bad mistake for someone of his incapabilities and calm waves that would change their mood quickly.

The man awoke to his canine companion barking wetly at his door, the ship being thrown about as if it were a ragdoll. He quickly sprang into action, stuffing the photo into his breast pocket, darting out of his cabin and onto the deck. Those calm waves now ravenous, eating as much as they could take in. The man, panicked, ran to the upper deck to take control of the ship once more. Water crashed over him in a furious bite, slamming his body into the wood below. Water filled his mouth as he tried to breathe.

His companion barked once more, as he too attempted to hold onto the boat. The captain pushed upwards, hands slipping off the wood, gaining many splinters in the process. His breath came in short ragged heaves as he pushed himself further onto the deck and leapt up the steps to the wheel.

The sea’s voracious waves crashed down onto the boat, almost snapping it in two as the captain pulled against the curve of the water, hopefully onto better seas.

If someone had told him to be more cautious at night, to keep an eye open, that there was something dangerous lurking in those muted waves, maybe he would have known better.

He pulled the wheel into a precarious position that kept the boat away from the source of the suction that was pulling the ship. He jumped off the top deck, climbing up the mast and pulling open the sails. The ship began slowly turning as he slid down the wood; cuts, burns, and splinters littered his hands as he regained control of the ship.

However, the seas were rarely so kind. The ocean took one last bite out of his vessel before letting go of the retreating ship. The captain slumped against the wheel and lost consciousness once more.

His head lifted up as he felt the subtle warmth from the rising sun upon his tired, bruised form. He heard a soft barking from just below him, as his wet figure pet the dog that rested next to its owner. The ship was battered and bruised; something they had in common, he thought to himself. His hand swept through his pet’s drenched fur, attempting to brush out the knots that had formed.

His dog, in return, shook himself, getting rid of any remaining water and splashing it directly onto his master.

“One hell of a storm, hey?” the man asked. The dog barked in response. As the sea seemingly growled, he smiled as he saw the land he had been attempting to get to: his journey’s end.

He looked down at his barking companion, his tail wagging in delight. His head lifted once more, a smile gracing his lips as he saw a familiar woman and children waving excitedly from the shore.

“But then again, a smooth sea was never made for a skillful sailor.”