Hi. I'm a young tugboat and my name is Tyler. This is my story where I sailed 'round the world. Well, not all the way, but you get the picture. Everyone tells me a tugboat does best tugging. Pushing. Anything than becomin' a cargo ship, or a speedboat. But, you shouldn't have to stay just one thing your whole life, ya'know. That's one boring life, innit?
Now, before I begin to tell this story, I just want you to know about my pa. He's very strict but he's always there for me. He may not seem like he cares a whole lot, but I know he does. I know he loves me, and I love him. He just doesn't think a tugboat should do anything but tug an' push. I'm going to prove him wrong.
"Tyler!" A gruff voice called. A red and black large, barnacle covered tugboat came around the bend of the main dock. He was much bigger than the small tugboat he approached, and much dirtier.
"Yes, pa?" A smaller tugboat chimed up. His name was Tyler, and he was blue and white. The bravest tugboat the other's had ever seen. This little boat did more than he needed to, much to his father's dismay.
"I need help with this cruise ship coming in. The fjord is too small for 'im to navigate on his own." The larger tugboat said not another word as he turned around. Tyler followed after immediately. Finally, Tyler's first cruise ship. He was learning so much this week.
The cruise ship was large as it halted before the fjord. Tyler was in awe as he and his father floated up to the side and the back of it. With Tyler on the side and his father near the back, they were able to navigate the large vessel through the waters of the fjord and towards the docks where he needed to let off consumers. Tyler did his very best to push and pull the boat to navigate him safely, and he was proud of the work they did when they finally and lastly pushed the ships starboard to the side of the required docks for him to drop anchor. The large metal weights splashed into the water.
"Good work." Pa said as he chugged away. Tyler smiled widely as he left back to his dock for the day. His pa would be joining shortly thereafter, if at all, but Tyler payed no mind to what his pa did. He didn't like to get too invested in other vessels' business. It was not how he was raised, it was how he thought would be kind. See, this small tugboat was the nicest and kindest tugboat the other ships have ever seen. If you needed a friend, this tugboat would be recommended. If you needed help on a project, big or small, this tugboat would be recommended. He was the most loved craft in the area, and Tyler did his best to be the kindest he could be, even towards those who weren't so kind. He thought, if he could be the first kind one to the mean, that they may realize there are others who care for them. Sometimes it didn't work, but Tyler still did his very best.
Tyler had a very best friend. The son of one of the yacht families. His name was Josh, and he was the quickest little boat around. He was sometimes called a speedboat, he went so fast. Tyler was amazed at his speed, and sometimes after work they would race and zip about, whilst not getting into other ships' ways. Tyler sometimes believes that Josh was even born into the wrong family, the way Josh speeds around. But he is very entertaining to the other ships, and Tyler thinks he's the best friend he's ever had. His only friend.
Every night, Josh would pull in to his docking area with his mother and they would both be roped to the dock to avoid drifting away in their sleep. They felt safer almost to be roped. This has happened a few times, where a rope snaps during a storm, or an animal chews through. The boat however, uses their navigation map and antenna to find their way back if they get trapped in an unknown area. This is what Pa tells Tyler almost everyday. The waters in the ocean can be dangerous. Do not stray too far from the fjord and do not even touch the ocean waters with your hull. The current could take you away before you know it, being such a small boat. Tyler always made sure to listen to Pa, but sometimes he couldn't help but look out at the vast ocean and wonder what more he could see if he just went a little further. And a little further. Just a little more further, again. There was so much to explore for one small boat.
Tyler had pulled into his dock and dropped his anchors. He sighed. Today was very exciting. The cruise ship was his first one in a long while, and he would be able to help the ship again when it was time for them to leave. He couldn't wait. He was becoming stronger and smarter each day and after each vessel he tugged. He couldn't wait to tell Josh about the ship. Josh's dock area was very near to Tyler, and they would chat constantly until it was time to sleep. Josh's mother loved Tyler very much, and Tyler (when Pa wasn't around) would sometimes refer to Josh's mother as Auntie or Aunt Krista. She was a very nice yacht and would laugh at Tyler and Josh's jokes and would cheer at their races. Josh would always win each race and Auntie Krista would congratulate the both of them.
Pa wasn't very fond of Auntie Krista. He was also not very fond of the way Tyler called her Auntie. "She is not your aunt. You are not related to her." he would say and then glide away. Tyler would do his best to not let Pa know he still called her Auntie. She payed no mind to it, as she felt Tyler was lonely at times without another guardian like she around. Tyler sometimes heard from Josh that Auntie Krista would have small fights with Pa, and he would get scared that Pa would force them to never see each other again, but Auntie Krista would always comfort the two smaller vessels and let them know that she would never force Josh to leave Tyler. They would stay put. And Tyler was glad, for Josh was his only friend.
"Don't forget to make sure the rope is nice and tight around the post so it doesn't slip off." She would remind Josh every night. Sometimes Josh would forget. Thankfully the waters were calm enough he wouldn't float far, or a local boat would float by the gently guide him back. That night, after Tyler fell asleep again without Pa at his side, he was once again alone during the night with only Auntie Krista being nearby.
Figured it was about time to write this. Much research was needed to write this one chapter, and much more will be needed, so hang tight.