Passage

Two days before we set sail, a light rain fell on the dusty valley floor. Almost all of the fields had been transplanted, the few remaining would have to dry out before planting. But the rain was a good thing. Even those of us afraid of the ocean - the great watery deeps heaving our small boat about - thought the unusual rain spoke of travel to distant lands, unknown to us, teaming with life. How strange once the clouds lifted their grey mantle, to see the great ship awaiting those brave enough to walk aboard.