A Pirate’s Tale by Kathy Lou

A Pirate's Story By Kathy Lou Gilman

This story is about a man named John McGee that sailed the seven seas on a pirate’s ship under the scoundrel Captain Smith. He was offered a chance to find treasure on a deserted island but found more than treasure. There was an illusionist that helped him to conquer his greatest fears and kill the captain. The crew made him the new captain and he advised the crewmates that they needed to conquer their fears by going into the cave. The illusionist advised Captain McGee that when he left the island that he would not remember where it was. McGee left and found himself in the Royal Navy and with the remembrance of the pirate ship and adventures on the island. The illusionist visited McGee, his wife, and grandchildren and offered to let them come to the island to be saved from the upcoming economic collapse. Towards the end, McGee has to decide if he wants to believe the illusionist and go to the island or to stay where he is and not be able to take care of his family.

Cast of Characters

Captain Smith-Pirate, scoundrel, and thief

McGee-1st Mate on the pirate ship

Crewmates- Pirates on board trying to find the treasure.

Monica McGee-John McGee’s wife

Jeffrey and Keisha- McGee’s grandchildren.

Gregory- Father to Jeffrey and Keisha and son to McGee and Monica.

Illusionist-Knows all, sees all

Lolita-A sad memory of wife that illusionist had on island

Prelude-“Let’s take to the sea till you find the treasure that the map could foresee. Learn of danger, romance, and mystery as you go. Wait for the captain to say, "Land Ho!

Chapter One- "Aye mate,” “According to my map, there's buried treasure hidden on the other side of the island." The first mate said, "Where is the treasure and how can we find it?” The captain paced the deck and stroked his pointy mustache from side to side. The map says, "If you can solve this riddle you will find where the gold is hidden." The first mate said with a cocky voice, "I'm pretty good at riddles how about if I give it a try?" The captain sneered and said, "If you guess incorrectly, I will have you walk the plank!" Cautiously the crew mate said, "If I guess right then what happens?" The captain shook his head, smiled and said, "McGee, if you solve the riddle you will have all the gold your arms can carry." McGee gave the captain's generous offer some thought. "Captain, I am up to the challenge. What is the riddle?

The captain rolled out the map on the table so his mate could decipher the confusing pattern of words. Towards the bottom of the map it said, "Written with silver and coated with spice something is hidden that's worth quite a price. Look not in the ashes but fall colors combined, for "X" marks the spot for the treasures you will find. The gold is not near Davy Jones trunk or hidden on a ship that had previously sunk. It is where you would least expecting it to be. When you are least expecting it, the treasure will show itself to thee." Can you help McGee solve the riddle and help him find the buried treasure?

Chapter Two-McGee walked off the ship and searched for something that would have fall colors and the scent of spice. Fortunately, it was a beautiful fall day and the leaves were changing to red, brown, and gold. He looked through the woods to see if he could find spices among the fall colors. As he walked near the tall pine trees, he found his first clue for something bright and silver was reflecting in the sunlight. It was a silver pen that was sticking up in the midst of autumn leaves. He attempted to pull the pen out of the ground and smelled cinnamon and nutmeg under the leaves. Overjoyed he threw the leaves aside and found there was a storm door under the dirt and leaves that led to an underground cave. He lifted the door and saw that there were stairs that led downwards. His curiosity got the better of him until he wiped the mud and dirt off the door and read the words carved into it . McGee pondered the question, "Could this treasure be worth the risk?"

The words on the door said, "You are closer to the treasure, but you must look in this cave for stronger men than you who were vigorous and brave have tried to find the treasure but paid the ultimate price so realize the risk, please heed my advice."

Chapter Three-McGee walked cautiously down the cellar steps and could hear the boards creak under him as he walked. Towards the bottom of the steps, there was a shining gold sign that even people with limited vision could see: The sign read, "Don't believe your eyes friend and don't believe your ears, you must decide what is truth or illusion, to survive down here. When you see the tempered stain glass and the art of the Caesars combined, then you can say and be assured that the treasure will soon be thine." McGee reasoned to himself, "My ears are playing tricks on me for I hear an army coming towards me. Is this truth or illusion?

Mysteriously the cavern filled with light as he saw the skeleton army coming towards him. McGee thought what phrase he needed to say since he was in a strange predicament. Truth or Illusion, what I see can't be, but I know that the truth is sometimes hard to see....

Chapter Four-McGee felt fear and anxiety as the skeleton army started advancing towards him and McGee started running away in a hurried and frantic manner. A sign was standing near the steps and McGee thought about what appeared to be real could really be an illusion. He turned towards the army, picked up a smooth and flat rock and threw it in the direction of the skeleton leader. The army vanquished into smoke, and the rock fell on the ground. "That was an illusion," said McGee.

He walked through the cavern and noticed that he was not alone in the dark cave and he started feeling afraid again. McGee hoped that this was just another illusion and that the fear was just in his mind. On a boulder, he saw a sword and gulped when he came to the realization that he might have to use it to ward off an attacker or something hidden in the cave. His mind went through possible scenarios with spiders, snakes, and rats that might be waiting to surprise him. Every time he thought of something fearful that might be seen or experienced, the object or thing became real and started moving towards McGee. Fear filled his heart with adrenaline as he proceeded through the cave.

McGee asked himself, “What would I normally do if I was afraid or bored? I know! I would play the fiddle!" He started visualizing his favorite instrument and the snakes, spiders, and mice disappeared, and the sword became a fiddle. "Now if I only had a bow." A bow was lying on the ground. He started tuning up and practiced playing "Sally Goodin" and "Wagon Wheel." All the anxiety and trepidation went away when he refocused on something that he loved to do. He played as he walked through the next part of the cave and met his third challenge.

Chapter Five-McGee walked through the cave, with the bow and fiddle in hand, to encounter his third challenge and obstacle. A flood of rushing water came rushing through the cave in front of him, and his choices were to either run backward, go forwards and fight the turbulent water that might eventually consume him, or find something that might save him from certain death. He thought about the obstacles he had faced and realized what helped him through was finding truth from illusion, music, and faith. He believed that his faith would help him to understand that there was a way out and followed the current that was leading towards another part of the cave. He went against the flow but eventually the rushing water lead him downwards towards an underground wonder of undiscovered relics. In the midst of the artifacts, he found the area where there were treasures from the Caesars of long ago.

Chapter Six-McGee realized that he needed to find tempered stain glass among the artifacts in order to find the treasure he was seeking. There was no stained glass where the Caesars had their statues and idols. No stained glass near fine art from earlier periods of history. McGee wondered where the stained glass would be until he looked in the windows and saw Catholic symbols in tempered glass and that the religious figures were looking at the Caesars. McGee realized that he had found the area where the treasure was. Under mountains of gold, relics, jewelry, and silver was an old metal rusted safe. A voice said, "What have you learned?" McGee looked around and said, "Who are you? Why are you talking to me?" The voice said, "I am the illusionist and the dreamer of dreams. What lesson would you say you have learned?" McGee thought for a few minutes and replied, "I learned the importance of truth and that truth is more believable than fiction. I have learned to understand if I voice my fears that I bring validity to them. I found out that faith could help you conquer anything even when we don't know the outcome."