Chapter 1 Worth The Wait
This reminds me of a tale, although I don't know if it be a tale or true, of an old woman of 80+ years who daily went down to the ship yard and stood at the dock looking fixedly out into the distance. No matter the weather be it rain, snow, sleet or hail the old woman without fail stood upon her watch from: ”Can see in the morning” till “Can't see at night”, staring out into the distance, watching the ships from whither they came to hence and back out again.
One day a goodly old seaman asked the woman, “Why do you stand daily upon your watch at the dock, staring out into the distance watching the ships from whither they come to hence and back out again?”
The old woman replied,“ Because my love has gone out to sea and I am awaiting his return.”
“When did he go out and what ship was he on?” asked the old seaman.
“I don't know exactly,” she said.
“Well how do you know that he is out at sea?” the man asked her.
“Because I have searched the land both high and low and also to and fro, but I have been unable to find love. He must be out at sea somewhere, and I will be waiting here when he returns.”
“Well this is fortunate,” the seaman said. “I was just wondering what I would do until my cargo is all loaded aboard my vessel and set for sail. It will take at least a few hours. If you don't mind I will keep you company and watch with you as you await your love.”
“I would like that,” the old woman said. “Although it is quite strange of you to offer as no one ever has before.”
“It gets lonely out at sea,” the old seaman replied. “Sometimes it's nice to have some company even if just for a few hours.”
The old woman understood and was happy to have his company, so together they sat down at the dock, staring out into the distance watching the ships from whence they came to hence and back out again. Soon as if it had only been a few moments, the entire morning was spent.
Eventually, the old seaman received word that his cargo was all loaded and that his vessel was set for sail. He bid the old woman “Adieu,” hoisted his anchor and departed.
As he waved to her from aboard his vessel he yelled out, “T.I.L.I.A!” Thinking that he must be speaking some foreign language from one of the many places he had visited as a seaman, the old woman waved and yelled back to him, “Yes of course, T.I.L.I.A!”
From the dock the old woman watched his vessel until she could see it no more. She decided she'd had enough excitement for one day and so she headed for home. On her way out of the ship yard she heard a voice behind her ask, “Leaving so soon today?” The old woman turned around and saw that the voice had come from a young seaman that she had seen many days working down at the dock.
“You normally stay at least until sunset, watching the ships come in hither from whence we come and back out again,” he said.
The old woman replied, “Unfortunately Son, when you've seen one sunset you've seen them all, each one as beautiful as the last, but none more beautiful than the first, and so it is with many of life's experiences,” she said.
“You young man have done well not to stand at the dock your whole life, staring out into the distance watching ships from whence they came hither and back out again when you could have been aboard one. Continue to hoist your anchor, set your sails and venture out into the unknown and see the world! Many treasures remain undiscovered out there for such a one as you. For it is the privilege of the Power to conceal treasures, and the honor of those such as you, to seek them out.”
The young man tipped his cap and nodded in respect of her wisdom. Then with a wink of her eye the old woman turned again and headed for home.