The Emperor and the Seed,Islamic Stories, -

An emperor in the Far East was growing old and knew it was time to
choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or his
children, he decided something different. He called young people in
the kingdom together one day. He said, "It is time for me to step down
and choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you."
The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued. "I am going to give
each one of you a seed today. One very special seed. I want you to
plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with
what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants
that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next emperor!"
One boy named Ling wasthere that day and he, like the others, received
a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the story. She
helped him get a pot and planting soil, and heplanted the seed and
watered it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if
it had grown. Afterabout three weeks, some of the other youthsbegan to
talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.
Ling kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, 4
weeks, 5 weeks went by.Still nothing. By now, others were talking
about their plants but Ling didn't have a plant, and he felt like a
failure. Six months went by-still nothing in Ling's pot. He just knew
he had killed his seed.
Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Ling
didn't say anything to his friends, however. He justkept waiting for
his seedto grow.
A year finally went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their
plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling told his mother that he
wasn't going to take an empty pot. But honest about what happened,
Ling felt sick to his stomach, but he knew his mother was right. He
took his empty pot to the palace. When Ling arrived, he was amazed at
the variety of plants grown by the other youths. They were
beautiful-in all shapes and sizes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor
and many of the other kinds laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him
and just said, "Hey nice try."
When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young
people. Ling just tried to hide in the back."My, what great plants,
trees and flowers you have grown," said the emperor. "Today, one of
you will be appointed the next emperor!" All ofa sudden, the emperor
spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered
his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was terrified. "The emperor
knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!"
When Ling got to the front, the Emperor askedhis name. "My name is
Ling," he replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him.
The emperor asked everyoneto quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then
announced to the crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!"
Ling couldn't believe it. Ling couldn't even grow his seed. Howcould
he be the new emperor? Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I
gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it,
water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled
seeds which would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me
trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not
grow, you substituted another seed for the oneI gave you. Ling was the
only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed
in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!"
The Prophet taught,"Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and
righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth
until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to Al-Fajur (i.e.
wickedness, evil-doing), and Al-Fajur (wickedness) leads to the (Hell)
Fire, and a manmay keep on telling lies till he is written before
Allah, a liar." [Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 8:116]

Did You Thank Allah forYour Eyesight?,Islamic Stories, -

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He
held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only
a few coins in the hat.
A man was walking by. He took a few coins fromhis pocket and dropped
them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote
some words. He put the sign back so thateveryone who walked by would
see the new words.
Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to
the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to
see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were
you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?"
The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a
different way."
What he had written was: "Today is a beautiful day and I cannot see it."
Do you think the first sign and the second signwere saying the same thing?
Of course both signs toldpeople the boy was blind. But the first sign
simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people they were
solucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the
second sign was more effective?
"It is He, Who has created for you (the sense of) hearing (ears),
sight (eyes), and hearts (understanding). Little thanks you give."
[surah Al-Mu'minun; 78]

GOOD MANNERS AND NOBLE QUALITIES

Good manners and noblequalities of mind and character enjoy a place of
crucial importance in the structure of Islamic teaching. Moral
evolutionand uplift was one of themain objects for which the sacred
Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam) was raised up.The Prophet
(Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam) himself has said:
"I have been sent down by Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) to teach moral
virtues and to evolve them to highest perfection."
Importance
An idea of the supreme importance Islam attaches to the cultivation of
good manners and noble moral qualities can be obtained from the
under-mentioned Traditions of the Prophet(Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam):
"The best of you are those who posses the best of manners."
"On the Day of Recompense nearest to me will be one who display in
one's daily life the best of manners."
"On the day of Reckoningthe most weighty item in the Balance of Deeds,
willbe good manners."
Once a Companion asked the Prophet (Sallallahu AlaiheWasallam), "What
is there that takes a Muslim to paradise?" The Prophet (Sallallahu
AlaiheWasallam) replied, "Fear of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) and
good manners."
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam), again, is reported to have
said,"A Muslim with good manners and good moraldisposition gets the
samereward as he who fasts (permanently) during thedays and spends his
nights in prayers."
The last Tradition tells that a believer who possesses good manners
and carries out scrupulously the moral duties imposed on him by Allah
(Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) but does not engage himself much in fasts and
prayers attains the degree of excellence of the man who stands up in
prayer all night andfasts all day long.
The Curse of Bad Manners
We have been warned bythe Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam) in
an equally forceful manner against the curse of bad manners. He has
said:
"A man with bad manners and a bad moralconduct shall not enter Paradise."
"No sin is more detestable to Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) than bad manners."
Some More Important Virtues
Though in the Holy Quraan and the Traditions we are taught to
cultivate all good and noble moral and social qualities and to avoid
everything that is mean or wicked, here we will take up only such
virtues that are more important and without which no one can hope to
be a good Muslim and a true believer.
Truthfulness:
Truthfulness is a matter of such supreme consequence in Islam that in
addition to speaking the truth always a Muslim is exhorted also to
keep company only with thosewho are truthful. The Holy Quraan states:
"O ye who believe fear Allah and be only with those who are true (in
word and Deed). [IX:119]
Says the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam):
"He who wishes to love Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) and His Apostle
(Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam), or wishes Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa)
and His apostle (Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam) to love him, must take
care to speak nothing but the truth whenever he speaks."
"Speak the truth even if you see your ruin or death in it, for,
surely, salvation and life lie alone in truth, and avoid falsehood
even if it may hold out to you the promise of success and salvation,
for, the end of falsehood is nothing but failure and frustration."
Once the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam) was asked,"What is the
hallmark of the dwellers of Paradise?" The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe
Wasallam) replied,"Truthfulness."
Conversely, another Tradition reads:
"To be a liar is one of the special signs of a hypocrite."
It was asked of the Prophet (Sallallahu AlaiheWasallam) whether a
believer could be a coward. He said, "It is possible." It was asked
whether a believer could be a miser. He said. "It is possible." Again,
it was asked of him whether a believer could be a liar. He said, "No".
(The idea was that a believer in Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) could
not develop the filthy habit of lying. Faith could never accommodate
falsehood; they could notgo together).
Fulfilling Promises
It is also a part of truthfulness that when a promise is made it
shouldbe fulfilled. The Holy Quraan and Traditions are very clear on
the point. Our faith demands of us never to go back onour pledged
word. Statesthe Holy Quraan:
And fulfill (every), engagement, for (every) engagement will be
enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). [XVII:34]
To fulfill the contracts which ye have made. [II:177]
And the, Traditions say:
"He who does not fulfill promises made by him has no share in the faith."
"Not to fulfill one's promises is a special sign of a hypocrite."
Trustworthiness
Closely allied to truthfulness is the qualityof trustworthiness. It is
an important branch of truthfulness. Islam has laid a special emphasis
on it also. Here is what the Holy Quraan says:
Allah doth command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom
they are due. [IV:58]
On two occasions in Holy Quraan, it has been mentioned, in the
qualities of true believers; and the peoplewho safegaurd the trusts
and their promises (i.e. pay back the trusts and fulfill the
promises). (Surah Moominun & Surah Ma'aarij)
It is reported that Prophet (Sallallahu AlaiheWasallam) often used to
say in his Sermons;
"O People! In whom there is no trustworthiness, in him there is, so to
speak, no faith."
In one Tradition Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam) says:
"Look not alone at anyone's prayers and fasts to decide about his
spiritual excellence (i.e. do not be impressed by anyone's
spirituality simply because you find him devout in his prayersand
fasts). You should also see that he is truthful when he speaks,
restores honestly what he has received in trust to whom it is due, and
remains righteous in times of adversity and suffering."
My dear Muslims! If we want to be a true believer in the sight of
Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa), too, and want to be claimant of His
blessings, it is necessary to adopt trustworthiness and honesty in
every case and to make the fulfillment of promises the principle of
life.
Remember, one amongst us, who does not have these qualities he is not
atrue believer and complete Muslim in front of Allah (Subhaanahu
Wata'aalaa) and His Prophet (Sallallahu AlaiheWasallam).
Justice
Justice is an integral part of Islamic ethics. We mustpractise it in
all spheres of life. Trhe Holy Quraan states:
Allah commands justice and doing of good. [XVI:90]
In Islam we are commanded to be just and fair not only towardsour own
people or co-religionists but also towards others even if they be the
enemies of our life, property or faith. It is candidly stated in the
Holy Quraan that:
And let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and
depart from justice. Be just that is next to Taqwaa (piety). [V:8]
The above verse enjoins justice to those also, individuals as well as
communities, who may be harbouring ill-will against us. Otherwise,
weare sure to incur the displeasure of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa)
and become grievous sinners and criminals in His sight.
To refer now to some of the Traditions:
"The most beloved of men in the sight of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa)
on the Day of Resurrection, and the nearest to Him, shall be the just
ruler, and the most hateful of men in the sight of Allah (Subhaanahu
Wata'aalaa) on the Day of Resurrection, and the farthest removed from
Him, shall be the tyrannical ruler."
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam) is reported to have enquired
one day from the Companions. "Do you know who will be the first to
come under the shadow of Divine Mercy on the Day of Requital?" The
Companions replied,"Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) and His Apostle know
best."
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam) then said, "They will be
those who accept their rights when offered to them and give willingly
the rights of other when they demand for their rights, and who judge
in respect of others exactly as they would in respect of themselves."
The pity is that we ourselves have forgotten the glorious teachings of
Islam. If we can produce these qualities in us today and become
truthful in word and deed, and honest in the matter of our trusts and
promises, and just and fair in our dealings with others, the success
of the world is bound to kiss our feet and we will attain a high place
in the paradise, too.
Compassion and Forgiveness
To feel pity on a fellow human being in distress, to be
compassionately drawn towards him, to bring him succour, to pardon the
guilty and the fault are virtues which are valued very highly in
Islam. Take these Traditions, for instance:
"Show kindness, and kindness will be shown to you; forgive, and you
will be forgiven."
"They will not obtain the mercy of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) in
whose hearts there is no feeling of kindliness for others."
"His sins will not be forgiven by Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) who
does not forgive the fault of others."
Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) will have mercy upon them that are
merciful. Treat kindly the dwellers of the earth,He who dwells in the
heavens will treat you kindly."
It is apparent from the last Tradition that our kindliness and
gentlenessare not to be confined to our own people alone. We ought to
be kind and compassionate towards friend and foe alike and to all the
creatures that exist on the earth.
It is reported from the Prophet (Sallallahu AlaiheWasallam) that once
a person who was travelling by road saw a dog licking wet earth in the
agony of its thirst. The traveller was moved by the spectacle and gave
water to the dog to drink. This simple service of the man to the
thirsting dog pleased Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) so much thatHe
blessed him with salvation.
Tenderness
Tenderness in transactions, and in all other fields of one's activity,
and the readiness to oblige and to put others at ease are all virtues
of the highest order in the Islamic pattern of morality. We will
reproduce two Traditions of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu
AlaiheWasallam) in support of our contention. Said he:
"Hell's fire is forbidden for those that are mild and gentle and make
it easy for others to deal with them."
"Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) is compassionate and likes compassion
in His creatures. He grants more to the kind and the tender hearted
than to those who are harsh and severe."
Self-Restraint
Tolerance, affability, self-restraint, and the ability to control
one's temper and to overlook what is unpleasant and disagreeable are
qualities that Islam wantseveryone to cultivate. Believers who possess
these fine moral attributes hold a very high place in the sight of
Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa).
In the Holy Quraan wherethe blessed ones are mentioned for whom
theparadise has been laid out such people are specifically referred
to:
Who restrain anger and pardon all men. [III-134]
Said the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam):
"Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) will hold back His punishment from him
who will hold back his anger."
B1essed indeed, are men who remember these verses and Traditions
during moments of provocation and exerciserestraint, and in return,
Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) holds His chastisement away from them!
Gentleness of Speech
Gentleness of speech is a religious virtue in Islam and rudeness a
sin. The Holy Quraan declares:
And speak fair to the People. [II:83]
We have it from the Prophet (Sallallahu AlaiheWasallam) that:
"To speak politely is Taqwaa and kind of charity,"
"To indulge in intemperate language and in harsh behavior is to
perpetrate an injusticeand the home of injusticeis Hell."
"Rudeness in speech is hypocrisy (i.e., the quality of a hypocrite)."
Humility
Humility is a virtue Islam wants its followers to practice as a
distinguishing feature of their moral and spiritual behavior. It does
not become a Muslim to be haughtily or vainglorious.
Greatness with Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) is not for those who look
down upon others. Instead, it belongs to those who desist from
thinking too highly of themselves and practise meekness and humility.
In the words of the Holy Quraan.
And the servants of the Most Gracious (Allah Subhaanahu Wata
'aalaa)are those who walk on the earth in humility. [XXV:63]
That Home of the Hereafter We shall give to those who intend not
highhandedness or mischief on earth. [XXVIII:83]
The Holy Prophet (SallallahuAlaihe Wasallam) has said:
"He who observes humility Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) will make him
so exalted that, ultimately, he will attain the highest grade in
paradise."
On the other hand, pride is so greatly repugnant to Allah (Subhaanahu
Wata'aalaa) that the sacred Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam) has
warned us, again and again, against it in such strong words:
"Whoever has pride in his heart even of the weight of an atom shall be
cast head-long into the Hell by Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa).
"Whoever has pride in his heart even of the weigh of the weight of a
mustard seed, shall not be entered into paradise."
"Beware of pride! Pride was the sin which first of all ruined the Devil."
May Almighty Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) save us all from the
Satanic evil of pride, and endow our hearts and minds with meekness
and humility which He admires so much and which is the symbol of His
slaves.
It needs, however, to be remembered that it is demanded of us to
practise meekness and humility in our personal matters and not in
matters where truth or faith is involved. When it comes to faith or
truth we must be bold and outspoken and give the fullest proof of
courage and firmness, for this is the Will of Allah (Subhaanahu
Wata'aalaa) for such occasions.
The way of a Muslim, in sum, is that while he is meek and humble in
his own individual sphere ofexistence, he is firm like a rock and
allows neitherfear nor weakness to come near him where faith or truth
or justice is at stake.
Courage and Fortitude
There occur periods of hardship and adversity inthe lives of men.
Sometimes there is need, sometimes there is disease, sometimes our
enemies harass us. And, so forth. For such situations the teaching
ofIslam is that we should bear them with courage and fortitude, remain
firm and stout of heart and do not waver from our principles inspite
of athousand trials and calamities that may assailus. For such men
there is the assurance of the Holy Quraan that they are the Beloved of
Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa).
For Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) love those who are patient and
persevering. [III:146]
Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) surely, is with those who
patientlypersevere. [II:153]
And to be firm and patient in pain (or suffering) and adversity and
through all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, and the
people who are Allah-fearing. [II:177]
And the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam) says:
"No boon conferred on man more precious than that of patience."
"Patience is one-half of faith."
Contrarily, impatience, chicken-heartedness and cowardice are the most
lamentable of evils against which the Prophet (Sallallahu
AlaiheWasallam) used to beg Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) for refuge
inhis prayers.
Sincerity
Sincerity is the life and soul of the entire moral edifice of Islam,
nay, of Islam itself. By sincerity we mean that all our deeds and
actions shouldsolely be for the sake of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa)
and prompted by no other urge than to earn His approbation. Apart from
it, there must be no otherdesire, motive or intention behind whatever
we do.
Monotheism which is the arch of Islam attains fulfilment through
sincerity. Faith in Divine Unity remains imperfect unless all our acts
are performed wholly for thesake of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa), and
we have no other objective before us while carrying them out except
winningof Divine pleasure and reward. States the Prophet (Sallallahu
AlaiheWasallam):
"He who loves or hates, offers favours or withholds them, and whatever
he does, does so for the sake of Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) he
perfects his faith."
It shows that a perfect Muslim in the sight of Allah (Subhaanahu
Wata'aalaa) is only he who succeeds in subordinating his entire
conduct, his social relations and all his otheraffairs to the Will of
Allah(Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) and is not influenced in them by
hispersonal desire or likes or dislikes or by any other urges or
impulsions.
Another Tradition reads:
"Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) is not regardful of your fine visages
or your wealth. He is regardful only of your hearts and intentions."
The idea of the above Tradition is that Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa)
will judge and requit on the basis of our motives and intentions.
Now, here is a Tradition with which we propose to round off the
present discussion. About this Tradition it is reported that Hadhrat
Abu Hurairah often used to faint while he related it. It says:
"The first of those who shall be called to account,on the Day of
Resurrection, shall be one who had learned thewhole of the Holy
Quraanby heart, and he who had been killed in the way of Allah
(Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa), and he who had an abundance of wealth. Then
shall Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) say to him who had got the whole
of the Holy Quraan by heart, "Did I not teach thee what revealed to
myProphet (Sallallahu AlaiheWasallam)?" He will say,"Yes , my Lord!"
Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) will ask,"And what hast thou done with
regard to what thou didst learn therein?" He will say, "I was
constantly at it in thehours of night and in the hours of day. I learn
it myself and taught it to others, and I did it all for Thy sake
alone". Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) will say,"Thou art a liar; thou
didst only desire that men should say that such a one was a recieter
of the Holy Quraan and that has been said already".
"And the master of wealth shall be brought before Allah (Subhaanahu
Wata'aalaa), and He shall say, "Did I not give thee an abundance of
wealth, so that thou wast not in want of anything?" He will say, "Yes,
my Lord! Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) will say,"And what hast thou
done with what I gave thee? "He will answer, "I regarded the rights of
kinship and gave alms and I did; so for Thy sake." Allah
(SubhaanahuWata'aalaa) will say,"Thou art a liar; thou didst desire
that men should say that such a one was a generous man,and that has
been said already."
"Then shall he who had been killed in the way of Allah (Subhaanahu
Wata'aalaa) be brought before Him, and Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa)
will say to him, "What was it that thou wast killed for?" He will
reply, "Thou didst bid us to do Jihad in Thy way and I fought and was
killed." Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa) will say,"Thou art a liar; thou
didst desire that men should say that such a one was a valiant man,
and that has been said already."
"These are the three menwho, of all creatures shallbe first sent into Fire."
Brothers! Now, let us examine our thoughts and deeds in the light of
the above Tradition and see where do we stand in the sight of Allah
(Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa)!
O Allah (Subhaanahu Wata'aalaa)! Endue our hearts with sincerity and
set right our motives andintentions and make us Thy devoted and
dedicated slaves.

Story, - The Boats of the Glen Carrig: Chapter 3

III
THE THING THAT MADE SEARCH
NOW AT TIMES, I fell upon sleep, as did most of the others; but, for
the most part, I lay half sleeping and half waking--being unable to
attain to true sleep by reason of the everlasting growling above us in
the night, and the fear which it bred in me. Thus, it chanced that
just after midnight, I caught a sound in the main cabin beyond the
door, and immediately I was fully waked. I sat me up and listened, and
so became aware that something was fumbling about the deck of the main
cabin. At that, I got to my feet and made my way to where the bo'sun
lay, meaning to waken him, if he slept; but he caughtme by the ankle,
as I stooped to shake him, and whispered to me to keep silence; for he
too had been aware of that strange noise of something fumbling beyond
in the big cabin.
In a little, we crept both of us so close to the dooras the chests
would allow, and there we crouched, listening; but could not tell what
manner of thing it mightbe which produced so strange a noise. For it
was neither shuffling, nor treading of any kind,nor yet was it the
whirr of a bat's wings, the which had first occurred to me, knowing
how vampires are said to inhabit the nights in dismal places. Nor yet
was it the slurr of a snake; but rather it seemed to us to be as
though a great wet clothwere being rubbed everywhere across the floor
and bulkheads. We were the better able to be certain of the truth
ofthis likeness, when, suddenly, it passed across the further side
ofthe door behind which we listened: at which, you may be sure, we
drew backwards both of us in fright; though the door, and the chests,
stood between us and that which rubbed against it.
Presently, the sound ceased, and, listen as we might, we could no
longer distinguish it. Yet,until the morning, we dozed no more; being
troubled in mind as to what manner of thing it was which had made
search in the big cabin.
Then in time the day came, and the growling ceased. For a mournful
while the sad crying filled our ears, and then at last the eternal
silencethat fills the day hours ofthat dismal land fell upon us.
So, being at last in quietness, we slept, being greatly awearied.
About seven in the morning, the bo'sun waked me, and I found that they
had opened the door into the big cabin; but though the bo'sun and I
made careful search, we could nowhere come upon anything to tell us
aught concerning the thing which had put us so in fright. Yet, I know
not if Iam right in saying that we came upon nothing; for, in several
places, the bulkheads had a chafed look; but whether this had been
there before that night, we had no means of telling.
Of that which we had heard, the bo'sun bade me make no mention, for he
would not have the men put more in fearthan need be. This I conceived
to be wisdom,and so held my peace. Yet I was much troubled in my mind
to know what manner of thing it was which we had need to fear, and
more--I desired greatly to know whether we should be free of it in the
daylight hours; for there was always with me, as I went hither and
thither, the thought that IT--for that is how I designated it in my
mind--might come upon us to our destruction.
Now after breakfast, at which we had each a portion of salt pork,
besides rum and biscuit (for by now the fire in the caboose had been
set going), we turned-to at various matters, underthe directing of the
bo'sun. Josh and two of the men made examination of the water casks,
and the rest of us lifted the main hatch-covers, to make inspection of
her cargo; but lo! we found nothing, save some threefeet of water in
her hold.
By this time, Josh had drawn some water off from the casks; but it was
most unsuitable for drinking, being vile of smell and taste. Yet the
bo'sun bade him draw some into buckets, so that the air might haply
purify it; but though this was done, and the waterallowed to stand
through the morning, it was but little better.
At this, as might be imagined, we were exercised in our minds asto the
manner in which we should come upon suitable water; for by now we were
beginningto be in need of it. Yet though one said one thing, and
another said another, no one had wit enough to call to mind any method
by which our need should be satisfied. Then, when wehad made an end of
dining, the bo'sun sent Josh, with four of the men, up stream,
perchance after a mile ortwo the water should prove of sufficient
freshness to meet our purpose. Yet they returned a little before
sundown having no water; for everywhere it was salt.
Now the bo'sun, foreseeing that it might be impossible to come upon
water, had set the man whom he had ordained to be our cook,to boiling
the creek water in three great kettles. This he had ordered to be done
soonafter the boat left; and over the spout of each, he had hung a
great pot of iron, filled with cold water from the hold--this being
cooler than that from the creek--so that the steam from eachkettle
impinged upon the cold surface of the iron pots, and being by this
means condensed, was caught in three buckets placed beneath them upon
the floor of the caboose. In this way, enough water was collected to
supply us forthe evening and the following morning; yet itwas but a
slow method, and we had sore need ofa speedier, were we to leave the
hulk so soon asI, for one, desired.
We made our supper before sunset, so as to befree of the crying which
we had reason to expect.After that, the bo'sun shut the scuttle, and
we went every one of us into the captain's cabin, after which we
barred the door, as on the previous night; and well was it for us that
we acted with this prudence.
By the time that we had come into the captain's cabin, and secured the
door, it was upon sunsetting, and as the dusk came on, so did the
melancholy wailing pass over the land; yet, being by now somewhat
inured to so much strangeness, we lit our pipes, and smoked; though I
observed that none talked; for the crying without was not to be
forgotten.
Now, as I have said, we kept silence; but this wasonly for a time, and
our reason for breaking it was a discovery made byGeorge, the younger
apprentice. This lad, being no smoker, was fain to do something to
while away the time, and with this intent, he had raked out the
contents of a small box, which had lain upon the deck at the side of
the forrard bulkhead.
The box had appeared filled with odd small lumber of which a part was
a dozen or so grey paper wrappers, such as are used, I believe, for
carrying samples of corn;though I have seen themput to other purposes,
as, indeed, was now the case. At first George had tossed these aside;
but it growing darker the bo'sun lit one of the candles which we had
found in the lazarette. Thus, George, who was proceeding to tidy back
the rubbish which was cumbering the place, discovered something which
caused him to cry out to us his astonishment.
Now, upon hearing George call out, the bo'sun' bade him keep silence,
thinking it was but a piece of boyish restlessness; but George drew
the candle to him, and bade us to listen; forthe wrappers were covered
with fine handwriting after the fashion of a woman's.
Even as George told us ofthat which he had foundwe became aware that
the night was upon us; for suddenly the crying ceased, and in place
thereof there came out of the far distance the low thunder of the
night-growling, that hadtormented us through the past two nights. For
a space, we ceased to smoke, and sat--listening; for it was a very
fearsome sound. In a very little while it seemed to surround the ship,
as on the previous nights; but at length, using ourselves to it, we
resumed our smoking, and bade George to readout to us from the writing
upon the paper wrappers.
Then George, though shaking somewhat in hisvoice, began to
decipherthat which was upon thewrappers, and a strange and awesome
story it was, and bearing much upon our own concerns:--
"Now, when they discovered the spring among the trees that crown the
bank, there was much rejoicing; for we had come to have much need of
water. Andsome, being in fear of the ship (declaring, because of all
our misfortune and the strange disappearances of their messmates and
the brother of my lover, that she was haunted by a devil), declared
their intention of taking their gear up to the spring, and there
making a camp. This they conceived and carried out in the space of one
afternoon; though our Captain, a good and true man, begged of them, as
they valued life, to stay within the shelter of their living-place.
Yet, as I have remarked, they would none of them hark to his
counselling, and, because the Mate and the bo'sun were gone he had no
means of compelling them to wisdom--"
At this point, George ceased to read, and began to rustle among the
wrappers, as though in search for the continuation of the story.
Presently he cried out that he could not find it, and dismay was upon hisface.
But the bo'sun told him to read on from such sheets as were left; for,
as he observed, we had no knowledge if more existed; and we were fain
to know further of that spring, which, from the story, appeared to
beover the bank near to the vessel.
George, being thus adjured, picked up the topmost sheet; for they
were, as I heard him explain to the bo'sun, all oddly numbered, and
having but little reference one to the other. Yet we were mightily
keen to know even so much as such odd scraps might tell unto us.
Whereupon, George read from the next wrapper, which ranthus:--
"Now, suddenly, I heard the Captain cry out that there was something
in the main cabin, and immediately my lover's voice calling to me to
lock my door, and on no condition to open it. Then the door of the
Captain's cabin slammed,and there came a silence,and the silence was
broken by a sound . Now,this was the first time that I had heard the
Thing make search through the big cabin; but, afterwards, my lovertold
me it had happened aforetime, and they had told me naught, fearing to
frighten me needlessly; though now Iunderstood why my lover had bidden
me never to leave my stateroom door unboltedin the nighttime. I
remember also, wondering if the noise of breaking glass that had waked
me somewhat from my dreams a night or two previously, had been the
work of this indescribable Thing; for on the morning following that
night, the glass in the skylight had been smashed. Thus it was that my
thoughts wandered out to trifles, while yet my soul seemed ready to
leap out from my bosom with fright.
"I had, by reason of usage, come to ability to sleep despite of the
fearsome growling; for I had conceived its cause to be the mutter of
spirits in the night, and had not allowed myself to be unnecessarily
frightened with doleful thoughts; for my lover had assured me of our
safety, and that we should yet come to our home. And now, beyond my
door, I could hear that fearsome sound of the Thing searching--"
George came to a sudden pause; for the bo'sun had risen and puta great
hand upon his shoulder. The lad made to speak; but the bo'sun beckoned
to him to say no word, and at that we,who had grown to nervousness
through thehappenings in the story, began every one to listen. Thus we
heard a sound which had escaped us in the noise of the growling
without the vessel, and the interest of the reading.
For a space we kept very silent, no man doing more than let the breath
go in and out of his body, and so each one ofus knew that something
moved without, in the big cabin. In a little, something touched
uponour door, and it was, as I have mentioned earlier, as though a
great swab rubbed and scrubbed at the woodwork. At this, the men
nearest unto the door came backwards in a surge, being put in sudden
fearby reason of the Thing being so near; but the bo'sun held up a
hand, bidding them, in a low voice, to make no unneedful noise. Yet,
as though the sounds of their moving had been heard, the door was
shaken with such violence that we waited, everyone, expecting to see
it torn from its hinges; but it stood, and we hasted to brace it by
means of the bunk boards, which we placedbetween it and the two great
chests, and upon these we set a third chest, so that the door was
quite hid.
Now, I have no remembrance whether I have put down that when we came
first to the ship, we had found the stern window upon the larboard
side to be shattered; but so it was, and the bo'sun had closed it by
means of a teak-wood cover which was made to go over it in stormy
weather, with stout battens across, which were set tight with wedges.
This he had done upon the first night, having fear that some evil
thing might come upon us through the opening, and very prudent was
this same action of his, as shall be seen. Then George cried out that
something was at the cover of the larboard window, and we stood back,
growing ever more fearful because that some evil creature was so eager
to come at us. But the bo'sun, who was a very courageous man, and calm
withal, walked overto the closed window, and saw to it that the
battens were secure; for he had knowledge sufficient to be sure, if
this were so, that no creature with strength less than that of a whale
could break it down, andin such case its bulk would assure us from
being molested.
Then, even as he made sure of the fastenings, there came a cry of fear
from some of the men; for there had come at the glass of the unbroken
window, a reddish mass, which plunged up against it, sucking upon it,
as it were. Then Josh, who was nearest to the table, caught up the
candle, and held it towards the Thing; thus I saw that it had the
appearance of a many-flapped thing shaped as it might be, out of raw
beef-- but it was alive .
At this, we stared, everyone being too bemused with terror to do aught
to protect ourselves, even had we been possessed of weapons. And as we
remained thus, an instant, like silly sheep awaiting the butcher, I
heard the framework creak and crack, and there ran splits all across
the glass. In another moment, the whole thing would have been torn
away, and the cabinundefended, but that thebo'sun, with a great curse
at us for our land-lubberly lack of use,seized the other cover, and
clapped it over the window. At that, there was more help than could be
made to avail, and the battens and wedges were in place in a trice.
That this was no sooner accomplished than need be, we had immediate
proof; for there came a rending of wood and a splintering of glass,
and after that a strange yowling out in the dark, and the yowling rose
above and drowned the continuousgrowling that filled the night. In a
little, it died away, and in the brief silence that seemed to ensue,
we heard a slobby fumbling at the teak cover; but it was well secured,
and we had no immediate cause for fear. [ tobe continued....]