MOST PRECIOUS THING IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD
Story by Aaron Shepard
The old sea captain was not sure he had heard right. “What did you say, my Lady?”
The Lady stopped pacing about her parlor and looked at the captain in annoyance. Many were the merchants rich and proud in this great port city of Stavoren. But this woman, called by everyone “the Lady of Stavoren,” was richest and proudest of them all.
“I said I want to hire you and your ship to bring me the most precious thing in the world.”
“But what is the most precious thing?” asked the captain. “And where do I find it?”
“If I knew,” said the Lady coldly, “I would already have obtained it. I ask you to discover and bring it to me. I will make sure you have ample gold to buy it, whatever it turns out to be.”
“Forgive me, my Lady,” said the captain, “but I still don’t understand.”
The Lady sat facing him. “Look around you, Captain. Have you seen a more magnificent mansion?”
“Never, my Lady.”
“I spared no expense to build it, and I have filled it with the most costly items from all the ports visited by my ships. Yet whatever I do, my rival merchants find a way to copy me.
“I must show them once and for all that I am their better. That is why you must bring me the most precious thing in the world. I’ve chosen you for the job because it needs someone of your experience. Of course, I will pay you handsomely.”
“Thank you, my Lady. I will do my best.”
“You had better, dear Captain. If you fail, you and your ship will never find work in Stavoren again.”
The next day, the captain sailed from Stavoren, in search of the most precious thing in the world.
Months passed. Everyone in Stavoren knew of the captain’s quest. Wherever the Lady went, she heard people guessing what the most precious thing would be.
“A pearl as big as an egg,” said one...read more
