The boat builder

      

He had spent his life thus far sailing the farthest parts of the mighty Pacific. He was just a lad of fifteen when he first set sail onboard a three-masted schooner bound for places he could only dream about. He was a fast learner, and before his twenty-fifth year he found himself the captain of his own ship. For thirty-some years, the ocean was his home away from the bustle of crowded cities and all that came with it. 

During the few months, he did spend in port, he worked on building the boat of his own design. Once the merchant marines felt he was too old to captain, he moved into the warehouse and spent his time building the vessel that would set him free forever. He had no family, few friends and one goal. The years passed by although he didn't really notice as every day was like the ones before spent laying planks and installing hatches and portholes. He painstakingly hand sanded every piece of wood and patiently applied coat after coat of varnish and paint that would protect his work, his dream.

At high tide one April morning he rolled his boat down to the ocean's edge where he waited for the tide to set her free and glide into the waters of the Pacific. He had stocked up on provisions which he stored onboard the night before hoping it would last until he reached his first destination one thousand miles away from the safety of shore. Some had doubted the boat would float, but his knowledge and craftsmanship proved them wrong as she not only floated but took to the sea as if it was crafted by Neptune himself.

He was seventy-nine years old, and the salt of the sea was in his blood. He had sailed all day with a gentle breeze allowing for any adjustments on rigging and small leaks which he patched smiling all the while realizing he had built a sturdy craft. Sunset was upon him as he ate his supper and waited for the millions of stars to appear in the heavens. The only sound was the lapping of the sea as it made contact with the boats hull. A gentle sound he thought as he drifted to sleep at the helm letting the Pacific winds choose his final journey.

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