Lady Saydah Island Warrior

Pahpahsano, Pahpahseto (Once upon a time),

There lived a young fisherman and his son. They were very poor and they relied on the fish they catch for food and money.

The little boy helped his father every morning gathering the huge fish nets and the long spears.

Every morning they would push their worn canoe towards the open sea and spread their fish nets as far they could.

The fisherman was always sad and found himself blaming his son for their predicament. His wife had died during child birth. And the fisherman resented his son even though he could see the love in the boy's eyes. 

Everyday the fisherman would ignore the child going on with the routine without not much of a glance at the beautiful gift from God.

The young fisherman always said a prayer before heading back to shore. "Dear God, I don't know why you did this to me. If you could lighten my burden I would really appreciate it. Amen"

Every evening they would have a bucket full of fish just enough to eat and to sell to some of the town's people.

The young fisherman watched his small boy grow skinnier and skinnier, his large brown eyes sunken and his ribs showing. But that didn't make the young father more compassionate but more annoyed. 

But despite their unfortunate circumstances the little boy always had a smile ready for his tired father. His precious eyes full of spirit and light.

"Tomorrow will be better Papa." Those watery brown eyes bright with hope.

One particular morning, after the two got done setting out their nets the young fisherman gave a different prayer.

"Dear God, I still don't know why this is happening to me. My son is oblivious of our plight and I don't know how much more I can handle. Give me a sign already. Amen"

As they were heading back to shore, there was a tug on the net. The fisherman grabbed onto the nets and started pulling it forward.

There caught in their nets was the most beautiful baby dolphin they had ever seen.

The body glimmered in the morning sun, an irridescent sheen with an almost opalesque shade. The golden eyes stared up at the fisherman as it tried to wriggle free.

The fisherman was exstatic that he pulled harder, until he felt a small hand on his arm.

"Papa, please set her free." the little boy said solemnly.

The fisherman's eyebrows drew together as he glanced at his son, truly annoyed again.

"Papa, let her go." The boy said again, this time grabbing onto the other end of the net.

Angry now, the fisherman tore the net out of his son's hands causing him to fall out of the canoe.

Terrified the fisherman frantically searched for his boy still holding onto the trapped dolphin.

The little boy could not be found and finally the fisherman let the dolphin go and jumped into the water. But the boy was all but lost.

Broken hearted the fisherman made his way back to shore tears streaming down his face.

That night he sat on the beach crying out for his son. The moon shone brightly on the sand.

He prayed once again. "Dear Lord, what have I done? Please forgive me Lord."

From somewhere far the young fisherman heard a voice...

"You almost took my child and almost lost your own. Learn to listen to the innocent, the pure hearted children for they know more of compassion. Because you have spared my child I have spared yours."

And with those very words, the fisherman heard his son calling his name from the end of the beach.

The fisherman couldn't believe his fortune and ran towards his boy, a reunion that ended with tears of joy and gratitude.

From that day forward the fisherman appreciated his son more and listened with his heart and changed his prayer.

"Lord, I thank you for my most precious gift. Amen."

Iwe ra pwapwa tori feifeino chok. (the end)