Humble Love
On the island of Tortuga, within the safer side of the small port town was a small orphanage where a young girl named Keira had lived most of her life. The orphanage was owned by a Christian husband and wife; and they raised all of the children to know God. Keira became a Christian a few years before, and was trying to understand the bible. Now she was turning fifteen and had to go out on her own…for two reasons; One because she was too old and two because the orphanage was becoming too crowded.
The day before she had to leave Keira was up in the attic exploring the various trinkets, when suddenly she saw something glowing behind a box. She moved the box out of the way just in time to see a small book drop to the ground. She picked it up and found it was a small Bible. Keira traveled back down stairs with my new treasure.
She went to Mr. Kalf and showed him the small bible. "Hmm… I've never seen anything like this before. Why don't you keep it, Keira, I'm too old to read that small of print anyway."
The next day Keira got ready to depart, which didn't take long. Mrs. Kalf made her some provisions and gave her some money and put them in a knapsack. With her new bible in hand she bid farewell to the only life she knew and headed into Tortuga.
Keira's first thought was to head for the docks and barter for passage off the island. But once she reached the docks, she had no idea where to go or who to talk to, so she turned back the way she came. She walked slowly trying to think of what to do.
"Well what do we 'ave 'ere boys." A deep throaty voice said Keria looked up to see three men come out of the shadows of a building and toward her stumbling slightly as they went.
"Looks like an orphan what 'as lost 'er way." Commented the smallest of the three,
"I say we take 'er back wif us." The third said with and evil grin drenching Keria with his rum stained breath. She drew back as he reached out for her,
"Now, Now none o that." The first chided "Ya best be comin quietly."
"I have nothing of value, but what money I have you may take," Keria said trying to be brave.
"We best be makin sure o that" the first said as the small man snatched the bag from Keria and the third grabbed her. Keira looked vainly for an escape.
"God help me." She prayed
"And what do ya think yer doin' Jared?" a strong female voice called out. The first man jerked his head and saw a woman dressed in pirates garb approach them.
"We was just assistin' the young lass." Jared hurriedly explained.
"It didn't look like that to me!" The woman said; the small man and the one who grabbed Keira ran off leaving Jared to fend for himself.
"You best be leavin' too." The woman's eyes narrowed.
"We meant no harm Miss AnaMaria" Jared stuttered before running off himself. Now AnaMaria turned to Keria.
"What is a nice lass like you doing in this part of Tortuga?" she inquired,
"I was trying to find a way off the island." Keira explained
"Don't you have a home here?" Keira shook her head,
"I am trying to get to the orphanage in Port Royal, or anyplace that has room for me," she explained
"Well I have something better than an orphanage, why don't you come with me and become part of the crew of the Black Pearl, that way you'll get off this island and have a place to call home." Keira thought for a moment and then decided being part of a crew would be better than an orphanage and as she agreed with AnaMaria she prayed "Lord, guide me, and thank You for Your protection."
