Charles sat uncomfortably in his boat in the middle of the ocean. Something was choking him. Was it the bulky life vest pressed awkwardly around his neck or was it the dismal sight of his ship sinking gently and slowly beneath the surface? His dreams had propelled him far away into those new lands full of limitless riches where the fountain of youth sprung out of the earth and gold and silver lined the mountain slopes. After years of tribulations, his ambition and reputation had reached the gates of the royal court and attracted the queen’s financial support. It was meant to be a glorious journey, an expedition of tremendous potential. He had the queen, luck, and even God on his side. Now it had all been lost. The lifeboat swayed uneasily and sprayed a salty mist into Charles’ parched face. The taste reminded him of a memory from a long time ago.
He was a little boy watching the ocean send waves gently and rhythmically on shore. He wondered why the water kept oscillating back and forth in this futile way. One day he walked up to the edge of the ocean and decided to ask:
“Tell me, ocean, why are you constantly sending waves to shore?”
But the ocean was silent.
Charlie really wanted to know so he asked again:
“Tell me, ocean, why?”
Again the ocean stood silent.
Charlie asked for the third time but again there was no response.
He felt irritated by this lack of attention. His temper rose and with clenched fists he kicked a big scoop of sand into the ocean. After some more minutes of silence, he felt even more agitated, so he grabbed more sand with both his hands and tossed it angrily into the water.
Slowly a bigger than usual wave rose high, travelled across the surface and crashed on shore splashing Charlie and wetting him from head to toe.
Many years had passed since that day. He was a seasoned sailor now, respected and revered. The finest of men had put their hopes and wealth behind him, until now. With childish frustration he looked at the broken compass in his hand and tossed it angrily into the water. It was now time to say a final farewell to her majesty’s. The last piece of the wreck had disappeared forever.
“Why?” Charlie uttered quietly, as the tears choked him again.
There was no answer, just the sound of a big wave splashing against the side of the boat. As the sun peaked from behind the grey clouds, Charlie finally understood the message that had eluded him all these years. The ocean answers to nobody.
Image Credit: “Yacht” Designed in London by Vivien Artige bv
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