The girl's mother shakes her vehemently, waking her from sleep.
"It's time to get up."
Today is the day she goes out to sea. It will be a long time before she returns to her native land, and her heart is both grieved for the home she is leaving and joyful for the adventure that is yet to come.
Ruth always wanted to be a pirate, always dreamt of adventures on the water- battling sea monsters and finding a home with a crew on some grand ship.
Still half asleep, Ruth shakes her head. She sits up.
"Are you ready?" her mother asks, standing at her bedside.
"I don't know."
Her mother nods, then leaves her so she can ready herself.
Ruth slowly gets out of bed and pulls the curtain. Looking up to the heavens, she takes in what little time she has left. The dawn has not come, and the little bright lights fill the sky. As she opens her window and listens to the quiet calm of the world, tears fill her eyes.
She steadies herself and follows her normal routine- she brushes her soft hair, freshens her breath, eats a small breakfast.
Her mother walks into the dining room as she eats and doesn't say a word.
Their last moments together are somber, but this isn't goodbye quite yet.
"Mom, it'll be alright.”
Ruth and her mother prepare themselves to make the half day trek to the shore where the grand ship, Goliath, awaits.
Most people don't understand why little Ruth has decided to embark on such an adventure. More importantly, they don't understand how her mother could allow her to leave at the vulnerable age of 12. Alas, her mother would always say to those doubting, "I've known her to be a child of promise since she was born. She was destined for this." Most would nod their head or grunt with disapproval, but nothing others would say could sway this mother and child from fate.
So they left for the shore. Little Ruth had to hide her face with scarves, as there were many creatures of the darkness that wanted to keep her from sailing. Her mother dressed her and hid her as best she could, ensuring that her child was protected.
As they crossed the forest of Cedars, they came to a man blinded by years of neglect. His face was hideously deformed, so much that people would pretend not to see him as he begged on the side of the dirt road.
But Ruth's mother said to her, "Look child, do not be frightened by his face. Many men will simply pass him by because of his look, but I charge you to see beyond what your eyes say. Let's sit and rest with him for a while."
And so her mother and Ruth walked to the blind man and spoke," Excuse me sir, can we share a meal with you?"
"What kind of cruel joke is this?!"
"Oh sir, this is no joke." The mother replied.
"Lies! Lies!" he whimpered.
Then, Ruth did the unthinkable. She raised her little hand and touched the face of this man and began to sing,
"Little grace have you known when so many turn away, but light I bring to you in hopes to brighten your way."
…To be continued….
