There was once a boy who lived in the city of London. He lived with his mother, they were poor but had a strong bond between them and they knew it was much more important than money.

They lived in a small house that was only one room. They were happy but his mother had always hoped great things for her son.

Shortly after the boys thirteenth birthday his mother sat him down to talk.

"Son" she said, "I have signed you up to go on my brother's ship, your uncle's ship. It is heading to tropical islands in the Asian pacific and should be a journey of a few months."

The boy could not believe what he was hearing, he was terrified. "Why?" he said "Why would you do this." 

She said, "It is sad for me too but it is for your benefit, you must leave the city and get a taste of adventure and this is the best opportunity I have for you. 

So the boy packed for his journey and the next week made his way down to the docks of the Thame river.

The boy followed his directions and stopped at the edge of the dock next to a fierce looking sailing ship named "The Sea Lion."

The boy stood there baffled and scared. During which the captain, his uncle, was watching from afar. He repelled down the side of the ship and landed safely on the dock. He turned to the boy and said, "So you must be my nephew, huh?" 

To which the boy replied, "Yes sir."

"A little smaller than I expected but that's alright" said the captain. There was a silence and then his unlce spoke again, "Come aboard, you ought to meet the crew."

The boy had never seen such rugged looking men in his life. He had never felt smaller in his presence than he did then.

Sailors laughed as the boy walked by, but they were quickly silenced by there captain. The boy noticed how much respect the sailors held for his uncle and wondered why it was so. The captain was not particularly tall or strong, but nonetheless the sailors were silenced.

Here is where you will sleep" said the captain he pointed at a small cot amongst the other small cots the sailors slept in.

"Sleep well" said the captain "This will be your last day without work for many to come"

The boy slept terribly. He was filled with worry and doubt about what his journey held for him.

In the morning the boy started his work. It was an endless list of tasks that grew by the day. His job was the help the cook, mop the deck, keep things tidy, and anything else the crew or captain asked of him.

He was often treated like a servant and was insulted by the sailors with comments like "Oi cabin boy, ow bout a foot rub"