Start in life

(Het Begin van het Leven)

1. Those brave men risked their lives to reach us. The waves threw their little boat around like a toy. But they kept coming. Our sailors threw them a rope. After much danger they caught it. They pulled their boat close to our ship. "Jump!" they shouted.

2. One by one we jumped into their boat. I was so scared I could barely move. The sailors had to throw me in like a sack of potatoes. I landed hard and lay there shaking. The small boat was full of men. Water came over the sides.

3. Fifteen minutes later I looked back. Our ship was going under the waves. The sea swallowed it whole. Now I understood what "sinking" meant. All our cargo, all our possessions, everything – gone to the bottom of the sea. We were lucky to be alive.

4. We could not reach the rescue ship. The storm was too strong. So we rowed toward shore. It took hours. Every wave tried to flip our boat. Every gust of wind tried to drown us. People on the beach saw us coming. They ran to help.

5. Finally, finally, we reached the shore. Men pulled our boat onto the sand. We were safe. Alive. I fell on the beach and could not get up. I was alive but I felt dead inside. God had saved me but why? I did not deserve it.

6. The people of Yarmouth were very kind. They gave us food and warm clothes. They gave us places to sleep. The town officials gave us money. We could go to London or back to Hull. They treated us like heroes but I felt like a fool.

7. Now was my chance. I should go home. I should fall at my father's feet and beg forgiveness. He would welcome me back. Like the prodigal son in the Bible he would kill the fatted calf for me. He thought I was dead. What joy to see me alive!

8. But I did not go home. Why? I cannot explain it. Something dark pushed me forward. My mind said "Go home!" But my feet would not obey. Was it fate? Was it the Devil? Was I cursed? I don't know. I only know I did not go home.

9. My friend found me after three days. He looked terrible. He had changed. The storm had broken something in him. "How are you?" he asked quietly. His voice was different. The laughing boy was gone. Now he looked like an old man.

10. His father was with him. When he learned who I was the old captain became very serious. "Young man," he said, "you must never go to sea again. This storm is God's warning to you. You are not meant to be a sailor. Go home while you can."