The Captain and the Stowaway

A grizzled old sea dog with a long, grey beard peered down at the unexpected visitor that had somehow found its way onto his boat. "Ahoy there, ya orange devil," he growled suspiciously. "What shenanigans have landed you scurrying about my boat?"

The fox gave a slight bow, its eyes glinting with mischief. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude. I've simply gotten lost somehow."

The skipper relaxed his shoulders, sighing. "No need for apologies, but could you tell me how a critter like yourself got lost out here?"

"I was trying to cross the ocean; I thought I'd see what is on the other side. But something went wrong, and I ended up with you." The vulpine explained, taking a seat next to the Captain's chair.

The skipper lit his corn cob pipe and gave the fleet-footed animal a comforting pat. "I'm sorry to hear that. Let me fetch you one of my fresh trout for a snack, and please feel welcome to stay on my ship until we reach the port."

The furry creature smiled at the Captain. "Thank you so much! I'm very grateful for your kindness in these challenging times, and I'd love a trout."

As the Captain rummaged through his icebox, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something very peculiar about this curious canid. It was almost as if the tiny predator was playing some kind of game with him, trying to get him to lower his guard.

"What is your name, little friend?" he asked, trying to make conversation.

"I've never had one of those before – a hand or a name," replied the fox.

The skipper raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps, I'll just call you Stowaway then, and you may call me Captain."

Stowaway cocked its head. "What exactly is a Captain?" it questioned curiously.

Captain's eyes lit up with pride. "Why he is the head of the ship, ya see? The top dog!"

The fox looked bewildered. "But you are much more than a head? And I must also insist you are human and not a canine, regardless of the altitude."

Captain chuckled. "That isn't what I meant, silly fox. I'm saying I run things around here – I steer the ship and catch the fish!"

Stowaway giggled. "But I've only seen you turn a wheel, and those large metal rods seem to capture the slippery fish!"

The skipper bristled. "Aye… But then, who feeds my men and gives them lots of drink!?"

"Well, not you, surely! I would say that the fish and liquor provide food and drink for all those men." The fox's tone was lighthearted, but a sharpness to its words made the skipper's blood run cold.

Captain took a deep breath. "You're still not understanding. What I do is very important! Without me, how would we know where to go?"

Stowaway hopped onto the helm behind the wheel, reaching eye-level with the shipmaster. "But it is you who does not understand! The maps tell you where you may go; furthermore, you would not travel far without the water. No matter how badly you'd wish the ship to swim, it would not move an inch unassisted by the waves."

The skipper felt a surge of anger rising in his chest. "Well, I agree that I'd be out of business if it weren't for the ocean, but without my experience, the maps would certainly be useless! And what of the night? None of my men would survive if I weren't there!"

Stowaway snapped back even quicker this time. "Your experience is meaningless without the stars or moon which show you the way."

Captain began to tug at his hair, his voice rising. "Now listen here, I've spent thousands of hours trolling these reefs. I've learned every trick of the trade, and I am the best there is."

The fox gave a pitying tone. "Oh, Captain. You are the best you think there is, and you still have not considered all those blessings bestowed upon you."

This mysterious visitor had given the suddenly distraught shipmaster pause for thought. Before he spoke, Captain took another moment to calm his mind and digest Stowaway's words. "But if I'm not the best, then what am I? If none of my successes are my own, how do I feel fulfilled?"

"You were never empty. Your friends and family supported you endlessly, as do the stars, sky, and ocean. Those things that fulfill you have been with you all along. Sadly, you seem to have taken credit for all they have done to further you – their sacrifice, love, and souls. What good is the title Captain if you do not value what made you become one." The fox's words finally reached the skipper, who paced about the wheelhouse, hyperventilating. 

Looking out to the horizon, endless stretches of salt water only added to the distinct feeling of grief. Captain let his mind harden for many years, pushing away those he held close, and now the pent-up emotions tore away his false bravado.

The once proud shipmaster now whimpered quietly, hiding his face in his hands. "I know what you say is true, but what if I'm too old? What if I can't change? Sometimes I feel like there's no going back. Maybe I've gone down the wrong path for so long that it's the only one left."

Stowaway gently nudged him with its fluffy tail. "Please, blow your nose."

The fox continued to speak sweetly, with understanding. "Don't be so hard on yourself. There is always time to change. Each day is a chance to do better. You aren't the only one going through this; everyone prefers to feel in control – especially when they aren't." Stowaway jumped onto the Captain's lap and curled up. "May I tell you a story I think would help?"

Captain patted the fox. "Of course. Please." he sniffled, hoarse with emotion.

The wise Reynard cleared its throat. "Long ago, there once was a fox. He loved to cross any pond he found, and his pride grew more assertive every time he did. After hundreds of successful trips over many different pools, the fox believed he could never fail! Then a day came when he found a lake that could only have existed in his greatest fantasies, but the fox's pride had grown too far."

Now, Stowaway looked down, taking its turn to cry. After a moment, Captain broke the silence. "I'm guessing he didn't make it across the lake, huh?"

"It wasn't a lake, and unfortunately, I did not." A tear rolled down the fox's fuzzy cheek. "One must always remember to control their pride."

The skipper wiped his eyes and straightened up, looking at the fox with newfound respect. "Thank you, Stowaway. You've given me a lot to think about. Maybe it's time for me to let go of my pride and start valuing the things that truly matter."

"That's all any of us can do, Captain. Learn from our mistakes and keep moving forward." The fox smiled warmly.