The captain standing on the sinking ship

The story is about views on bravery, cowardliness, loyalty and madness depending upon the situation

The captain standing on the sinking ship

The deck of the ship was filled with hundreds of people, shouting and screaming for

their lives, when one strong man was convincing them, that everything is going to be

fine. After all, he was the captain of the sinking ship, who He has dedicated more than 7

years of life, just for preparation of how he will save 'others' when his 'own' ship will start

sinking...

Everyone was trying to jump off to the rescue boats, but it was captain's choice about,

"Who shall leave and who shall stay!"

He was shouting, comanding the stronger one and inducing the weaker one by those

illusions of god and faith. Finally those screams turned into prayers, expecting that at

least he will show up somewhere from the sky. After all it was the charm which always

works!

His eyes were rotating all around the ship seeking some weaker faces from the crowd

and mouth was busy in shouting, "Ladies and children first!"

When everyone was rushing towards deck, he noticed one calm man with bottle of

Champagne in one hand walking towards him.

"What's the matter? Don't you want to leave?" Asked the captain.

"Oh, no. I am a prisoner, so they said there is no space for prisoners in the boats. They

gave me this champagne bottle and told me to enjoy my few last moments of life!"

"Oh, Very disappointing!" Said the captain.

"Disappointing? I am rather happy! Finally I am free from the cage of rules and

principles of humanity!"

"How funny this scene is;

Everyone is so blind with the masks of how to behave and how not to behave, that they

can't even see, the death approaching!" Exclaimed the prisoner.

"Does this seem funny to you?" Shouted the captain with anger.

"Oh yes! I mean, look at that man there, helping you to evacuate. And everyone will call

him brave or courageous.

The man there shouting 'ladies and children first' will be symbolized for humanity. I will

be some crazy stupid fellow and you will be just a responsible captain, because dying

here for rescuing others is part of your duty for them...

Does honor and respect matters so much? Your loyalty is killing you captain!"

The captain kept ignoring him, doing his duties.

"Well well, I was just like you, But look what it costs! Stupid people and there stupid

ethics...

How crazy this world is; even what people think matters more than your life..."

Finally the last rescue boat left, leaving few men on the ship and the captain was

released from the burden of responsibility.

At last, the captain got some time to pay attention to the prisoner's words.

"You said you were just like me. A man who has bound himself with some meaningful

principles. Then what led you to prison?"

"Oh, I followed a different one!

Survival of the fittest!"

Captain started laughing, when he satisfied himself, that the prisoner is a lunatic!

"Such a big lie it was! Even it is now! Isn't it captain?"

Captain's smile vanished in a moment. He thought for a while, and took one empty

glass from his cabin and came to that prisoner,

"O, come on! Open that bottle now. It's time to say cheers!"

He opened that bottle;

"Cheers!" They both exclaimed

"You are right! After all, I was just the captain of the sinking ship!"

-Niteesh Sane ©