The Cruise Liner
Once, a long time ago, there was a magnificent cruise liner. Everyone who saw it was impressed by how big, strong and modern it looked. People longed for the chance to board the ship, and were excited when those in charge announced that it was going on a long journey to a new and exciting place, and that anyone who wanted to come on board was welcome.
Thousands upon thousands came, and all were welcomed. There was room for everybody, although there were some difficulties with complaints from certain travellers about noisy neighbours, or people who behaved in ways that they felt were inappropriate. However with a little bit of re-arranging, and the designation of certain parts of the ship as “quiet” or “noisy”, everyone lived in relative comfort, and for the most part were at least civil with each other.
The Captain gathered everybody together and told them that they were all travellers on a long journey. He knew the way to go, had checked the co-ordinates and had set the course. It would take a long time, but so long as the ship did not waiver from that course, everyone would get to their final destination, which he had heard was beyond their wildest dreams.
For a long time the journey went well. The different groups of passengers generally kept apart, doing their own thing in their own way. However once a week they gathered together to have a banquet and a ball. On these occasions popular songs were played, everyone learnt the words and sang along. During the banquet the Captain would stand up and remind everyone of the course he had plotted, and that by sticking to this course they were getting closer every day to their destination.
However, as time went on disagreements began to arise. Some of the travellers from the lower deck tried to introduce some new songs, and even suggested that instead of the ship’s orchestra, they might use their accordion to accompany the singing. This was roundly condemned by the other travellers, who insisted that everyone knew the songs they had always sung, and they were a way of remembering the land they had come from. When the lower deckers realised that they could not win, they asked the Captain if they could take one of the lifeboats and set sail on their own. He agreed, thinking they were troublemakers. They left, setting their own course, but telling the Captain that they hoped to arrive at the same destination.
The journey went well for a while, until one day one of the crew posted as a look out reported that there was a large object ahead, right on the course they were heading on. Everyone gathered to discuss the problem. Several people suggested that the Captain should alter his course to bypass this obstacle, but he insisted that once a course had been set it could not be altered. A number of travellers decided to abandon the ship, taking life rafts, feeling that they could find a different way through the difficulties ahead, and still arrive at the final destination.
At the banquet that night the room was only half full, but the songs were sung, and the Captain read out his usual message, and confirmed that nothing would change.
The following day the obstacle was much closer. Many people, including some of the crew, came to the Captain to ask if there was maybe a different way of achieving their aim. They could see no way of continuing if they carried on in the same way. The Captain accused them of lacking faith in him and the magnificent ship they were travelling in. The travellers looked at the ship, and realised that though it had been just what they needed when they set out, now if they were to complete their journey something very different was necessary. They took some of the best and most useful parts of the ship, those they felt would help them on the journey, and built a new craft. It still had something about it that told you it was a boat, but it looked very different from the cruise liner. So they cast off and began to steer and row their own course, aiming for the final destination that the Captain had told them so much about.
At the banquet the captain was amazed to see just a few travellers left. He could not understand why the others were not there any more. After all, everyone had always enjoyed these banquets, and nothing had changed. So they bravely sang the usual songs, though it was more difficult with hardly any musicians or singers, and the Captain read out the course, and reminded them that once a course is set it must never be changed.
The next morning the obstacle was very close. The remaining travellers spoke to the Captain, and he confirmed his intention to plough straight on. He insisted that the ship had always sailed in this direction, and it had got them this far. He said that if people really believed in the ship they would not doubt the course it had sailed on since it was built. When he had said that a number of travellers decided they would rather take there chance swimming, and jumped overboard.
That night at the banquet the Captain was alone. He sung the songs, and read out the course, and reminded himself that it must never be altered.
The following morning the ship struck the iceberg and the Captain went down with his ship, still holding the wheel firmly on the course he had always followed.
The other travellers reached their destination safely.
Once, a long time ago, there was a magnificent cruise liner. Everyone who saw it was impressed by how big, strong and modern it looked. People longed for the chance to board the ship, and were excited when those in charge announced that it was going on a long journey to a new and exciting place, and that anyone who wanted to come on board was welcome.
Thousands upon thousands came, and all were welcomed. There was room for everybody, although there were some difficulties with complaints from certain travellers about noisy neighbours, or people who behaved in ways that they felt were inappropriate. However with a little bit of re-arranging, and the designation of certain parts of the ship as “quiet” or “noisy”, everyone lived in relative comfort, and for the most part were at least civil with each other.
The Captain gathered everybody together and told them that they were all travellers on a long journey. He knew the way to go, had checked the co-ordinates and had set the course. It would take a long time, but so long as the ship did not waiver from that course, everyone would get to their final destination, which he had heard was beyond their wildest dreams.
For a long time the journey went well. The different groups of passengers generally kept apart, doing their own thing in their own way. However once a week they gathered together to have a banquet and a ball. On these occasions popular songs were played, everyone learnt the words and sang along. During the banquet the Captain would stand up and remind everyone of the course he had plotted, and that by sticking to this course they were getting closer every day to their destination.
However, as time went on disagreements began to arise. Some of the travellers from the lower deck tried to introduce some new songs, and even suggested that instead of the ship’s orchestra, they might use their accordion to accompany the singing. This was roundly condemned by the other travellers, who insisted that everyone knew the songs they had always sung, and they were a way of remembering the land they had come from. When the lower deckers realised that they could not win, they asked the Captain if they could take one of the lifeboats and set sail on their own. He agreed, thinking they were troublemakers. They left, setting their own course, but telling the Captain that they hoped to arrive at the same destination.
The journey went well for a while, until one day one of the crew posted as a look out reported that there was a large object ahead, right on the course they were heading on. Everyone gathered to discuss the problem. Several people suggested that the Captain should alter his course to bypass this obstacle, but he insisted that once a course had been set it could not be altered. A number of travellers decided to abandon the ship, taking life rafts, feeling that they could find a different way through the difficulties ahead, and still arrive at the final destination.
At the banquet that night the room was only half full, but the songs were sung, and the Captain read out his usual message, and confirmed that nothing would change.
The following day the obstacle was much closer. Many people, including some of the crew, came to the Captain to ask if there was maybe a different way of achieving their aim. They could see no way of continuing if they carried on in the same way. The Captain accused them of lacking faith in him and the magnificent ship they were travelling in. The travellers looked at the ship, and realised that though it had been just what they needed when they set out, now if they were to complete their journey something very different was necessary. They took some of the best and most useful parts of the ship, those they felt would help them on the journey, and built a new craft. It still had something about it that told you it was a boat, but it looked very different from the cruise liner. So they cast off and began to steer and row their own course, aiming for the final destination that the Captain had told them so much about.
At the banquet the captain was amazed to see just a few travellers left. He could not understand why the others were not there any more. After all, everyone had always enjoyed these banquets, and nothing had changed. So they bravely sang the usual songs, though it was more difficult with hardly any musicians or singers, and the Captain read out the course, and reminded them that once a course is set it must never be changed.
The next morning the obstacle was very close. The remaining travellers spoke to the Captain, and he confirmed his intention to plough straight on. He insisted that the ship had always sailed in this direction, and it had got them this far. He said that if people really believed in the ship they would not doubt the course it had sailed on since it was built. When he had said that a number of travellers decided they would rather take there chance swimming, and jumped overboard.
That night at the banquet the Captain was alone. He sung the songs, and read out the course, and reminded himself that it must never be altered.
The following morning the ship struck the iceberg and the Captain went down with his ship, still holding the wheel firmly on the course he had always followed.
The other travellers reached their destination safely.
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