The lighthouse- Short story
Joseph was welcomed with songs and ritual dances.
The small skiff was being tossed among the rocks as the tide lashed furiously. The clouds darkened. The rain started to pour down in sheets causing a fog to cover the sea. Joseph looked high in the misty sky and saw a dove carrying a green twig. Joseph attempted to follow in the the treacherous water. He looked out into the distance and saw a blinking lighthouse beacon. He knew if he could maneuver the small boat in that direction he would make it to shore.
Joseph had caught his quota of fish for that day and he felt good.
Just as he was nearing the shore edge his boat hit a spiked rock that splintered his boat into pieces. He hung on to a piece of the deck which was moving fast out into the deep water away from shore. He looked back at the lighthouse and saw the dove sitting atop the beacon. He frantically tried to turn the piece of wood around but it capsized plunging him to the bottom of the sea. He knew he was going to die. He was gasping for air when a shark swooped under him transporting him safely to the shore. As he climbed out of the water he looked for the lighthouse, it was nowhere in sight.
He was lost on an island that looked uninhabitable. He walked until he could walk no further, than sat down under a pine tree and slept. When he awakened the dove was sitting on his arm. He felt an excitement wash over him. The dove circled his head as if to say, " Follow me. " Joseph immediately began to follow. He soon came upon a small village of American Indians. He was welcomed with songs and ritual dances.
A beautiful bronze girl caught his eye. She put out her hand for him to join her. His heart was overflowing with gratitude and love. The young girl's name was Contessa, which means supreme goddess. She was the daughter of the village chief.
Joseph had been searching his entire life for love and a feeling of belonging. He'd been raised by an aunt after his mother died.
When he reached eighteen he struck out to find whatever was missing in his life. He was now twenty-two and for the first time in his young life felt he'd found his rightful place in this vast universe, and if he had any doubts they quickly vanished when he looked up and saw the white dove circling the smoke from the sunrise pipe ceremonies bellowing toward a rainbow which had miraculously appeared on this clear day of peace and joy.
Comments
AUTHORHello Matty. Happy you enjoyed. Thank you.
Great short story!
- AUTHOR
Hello Kevin. I let my imagination run wild with the shark. I'm so glad you liked it. Thank you for sharing...
I loved it Ruby! I like lighthouses and doves with green twigs. I have never heard of a life-saving shark. That one is new. It was a wonderful story and full of surprises. You did a great job. I voted it up, shared and pinned it.
Kevin
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Hello Ann. I'm happy to be back writing again and happy when you grace my page. Thank you....
Beautiful story, Ruby, with the dove acting as his guide. I love happy endings! Great to see something from you again.
Ann
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Hello Shyron. I'm so glad you liked this story, and I'm glad to be back. Thank you so much. Hugs...
Ruby, I love this story. I think you muse was just resting, I am glad you are back.
Voted up, UABI and shared.
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Hello Phyllis. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed my story. Thank you so much....
This is a lovely story, Ruby. To be given hope and find love is always a wonderful part of life. I enjoyed reading Joseph's story.
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Hello Gals. So happy you liked my story. Thank you for reading and leaving a kind comment......
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Hello Genna. What a sweet comment, thank you for your continued support. I appreciated your email much. You are a good friend. Hugs...
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Hello drbj. Vegetarian shark, I love it. Hee..Your wit never fails to make me laugh. Thank you dear one....
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Hello Martie, so good to see you. I guess I am a romantic at heart. I hope you are feeling better. Thank you my friend. Hugs galore!!!
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Hello sunflowerforest, nice to meet you. Your comment is very true. Thank you..
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Hello Paula. I appreciate your kind words. Thank you so much....
@beautiful story I loved this story of hope and faith.
I'm so pleased that you are writing again, Ruby. I agree with Martie and Maria...this is a condensed novel that "nurses us with your words." Hugs, dear, inspiring friend.
How fortunate we all are, Ruby, that you found your muse and shared this lovely tale of hope with us. From the beautiful dove to the 'vegetarian' shark, I knew there would have to be a happy ending. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Oh, you are a romantic at heart, dear Ruby! This is a condensed novel with a happy ending :)
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Hello Mar. Did I ever tell you that you make me a happy camper each time you visit my page? Your words are so comforting and meaningful. The day I wrote this piece, I woke up and said, " Ruby it's about time you stopped feeling sorry for yourself and get back among the living. " Thank you dear one for always being there for me. Your emails, beautiful cards, ( From you and Andy ) brought a smile. I'm so glad you're my friend. Love you!!
Everything is beautiful in it's own way. So true
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Hello again Faith. Thank's for coming back. Isn't it strange how we must be inspired to write. There were days when I couldn't turn my computer on, then I went to town and bought a laptop thinking I would like the change, but I hated it. I couldn't even get my email to come up. I was lucky they let me return it. Thank's again for your friendship and understanding...
- AUTHOR
Hello Clive. I so agree with your statement. Thank you for the nice comment.....
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Hello Mary. I am thrilled that you enjoyed my story. It felt good to write again. Thank you for the awesome and beautiful comment...
Ruby.....Wonderful fantasy story, written by a very talented lady. Photo choices perfect. I love happy endings! UP+++....Have a great week-end Ruby! Paula
A story of hope and joy amidst uncertainty and despair...symbolic of your return to writing after a time of soul searching and loss.
It's dawned on me that you 'nurse' us with your words, dear Ruby - and believe me, you are one mighty fine nurse!
Love you and so very happy you have picked up your pen! Hugs, mar
Hi again Ruby,
I am so sorry for your great loss.
Well, although I am inspired by a lot of things, here of late they have not prompted me to write ...
Hugs
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Nice One.
What a great story! How nice to see you writing again. Your talent never ends.
I loved the story from start to finish. How wonderful for Joseph!
Voted up, awesome, and beautiful.
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Hello Frank. I guess this piece is more like a fantasy and finding love. I am happy you received a message. Thank you for the awesome vote....
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Hello Faith. So nice to see you on my page. I'm afraid I haven't been inspired to write, it's good that you are. I'll be watching for your hub. Thank you for gracing my hub. Love and peace my friend.
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Hello DJ. I lost a good friend, Tom and I was so depressed I didn't think I would ever write again, but I am finally coming to grips with the loss. Life goes on. I'm not as keen about going to Fl., but maybe I will. I would never forget you or any of my hubber friends, you all are like family to me. Thank you dear one....
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Hello Mike. I'm so glad you liked this story of love and fantasy. It feels good to write again. Thank you for all of your encouragement, emails and beautiful cards. Peace my friend...
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Hello John. My muse has been really mean but she finally came around. lol.. Thank you so much...
so.. his death and with the guidance of the bird brought him to heaven?.. I like the dramatic feel to your story, and the cleverness.. fantasy, or religion a message was recieved.. up and awesome :)
Hi Ruby,
I enjoyed reading this wonderful read here this day. So good to see you back and writing. I, too, have not been writing, and really no excuse as I have plenty in the works and plenty of ideas and inspiration, but I just have to sit down and hope one comes together. Life as usual in the busy summer.
I hope you are well.
God bless you
Hi, Ruby,
It is so good to see you. I wondered if you had made your move to the Keys and forgotten about your old friends.
It seems that many of us have had a slump in production of articles. I
guess it happens to most of us, from time to time.
Yes, sharks have been making the news, particularly on the East Coast.
They migrate and get hungry along the way. You put a nice twist on
the shark being a savior to Joseph instead of Joseph being lunch for the shark.
Nice story, Ruby.
Don't stay gone so long.
DJ.
Hello Ruby - What a tapestry of beauty and grace that you weave. Welcome back to the land of the distressed writers. Good to see this story and I look forward to many for as you exercise your imagination to our delight.
Hi Ruby, this is a very uplifting and short story with a happy ending. Nice work. Glad you are writing again, most of us go through those stages.
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Hello Shauna. I thought with all the bad stories about sharks biting people on the beaches, I would have a good shark do a good deed. lol. Thank's for the nice story comment..
Joseph's dark cloud beneath the sea proved to have a silver lining after all. It was his lucky day. He didn't drown, wasn't gobbled up by the shark and he found the love of his life.
Nice story, Ruby!
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Hello Bill. I was beginning to think I would never write again. It seems I lost my desire for writing until today. I'm so glad you liked my fantasy story. Thank you so much....
It's good to see a new story from you. I was hooked by the first paragraph...always a great sign for the reader and the writer. Well done, Ruby!
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