The Big Blue Boat.
Billy had a sailing boat that he made with his grandad in his garage during the winter months.
It was only a few feet long but it looked just like a real sailing boat and he was so proud of all the intricate work they had done together to make it look perfect.
The boat was bright blue,
Billy's favourite colour,
And it had crisp white sails.
It was a real nautical treat.
Grandad had explained to Billy that once the warmer weather arrived they could go to the local lake and set it afloat for its very first sail.
Billy dreamed about that day,
Imagining he was steering the boat,
Even though he knew it wouldn't be possible.
Still,
The thought of it made him smile.
Finally the big day came.
The sun was shining and there was a gentle breeze in the air.
Grandad and Billy took the boat to the lake and Billy's excitement grew with each step as he moved towards the water.
When they reached the lake,
Grandad helped Billy place the boat on the water.
It floated perfectly,
Its sails catching the gentle breeze.
Billy watched in awe as it drifted smoothly just like he had imagined.
But after a while a strong wind began to blow.
The boat rocked back and forth and Billy started to panic.
Grandad,
What if it tips over?
What if our boat sinks?
Grandad placed a comforting hand on Billy's shoulder.
Billy,
Look at the water.
See how it moves,
Sometimes calm and sometimes rough.
Billy nodded,
Still watching his boat sway in the waves.
Well,
Grandad continued,
The water is like our thoughts.
Sometimes they're smooth and sometimes they're stormy.
Just like the lake,
No matter what,
The water always settles again.
Billy looked at his boat bobbing up and down in the waves.
Slowly the wind eased and the boat steadied.
He took a deep breath and felt a sense of calm.
See,
Grandad said with a smile,
The boat didn't need to fight the water,
It just had to go with it.
And things settled down.
Billy grinned,
Feeling a sense of peace wash over him.
He realised that even when his thoughts felt wild and scary and panicky,
They didn't stay that way forever.
Just like the lake,
They would always calm down,
If he just was patient and waited.
As they sat by the water,
Watching the little boat float gently back to shore,
Billy insightfully saw for himself something he will never forget.
No matter what happens,
Everything will be okay if we just stay patient and things just settle down all by themselves.
How cool is that?
I've been Becca Gardner.
Thank you for listening.
