
We could be anywhere—ocean stretching from horizon to horizon. The sun beats down in a featureless sky, shards of light dancing on little waves. Our small outrigger is lost, and I’m scared.
The old navigator points away to the left. “Guam.” And to the right, “Lizard’s Pool.”
“What’s Lizard’s Pool?” I ask.
He grins, hiding a private joke. “No such place.”
“Then how can you navigate by it?”
“Can’t see Guam either, right? The gods didn’t trouble to put an island there, so we must invent it.”
And we sail on, steering the trackless Pacific by imaginary islands.
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Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Anything for mental strength and survival 😂
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It’s actually a very complex system of navigation used by traditional navigators in the south Pacific islands
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Should learn more about it.
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A real sense of feeling lost and not giving a….
🙂
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Thanks for reading
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I’d laugh if the thought of being lost at see weren’t so scary. Great write!
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Thanks so much, Bear
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Just wait for those imaginary friends to appear. 😀
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Great idea!
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Something quite enchanting about that idea, just navigating with imagination only. Nice.
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It really is a thing. Thanks, Iain
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Not to worry, when it gets dark he can follow the stars. Safe journey before the storm strikes.
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They do also use a complex star compass that they carry in their heads
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But is it the same for everyone?
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For all traditional navigators, yes
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I’d have to say being lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on a small vessel would be terrifying at best. Thank goodness one of them can take their minds off of the reality. Good dialogue.
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You’re very welcome.
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What a way to navigate. I’d be worried. Well done.
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Makes sense though when you think about it
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Apparently there are island people who can navigate by inborn instinct.
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I think it takes years of training, memorising star charts and other lore
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He has the stars ❤
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And years of training
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I think I would be skeptical as well but what choice does he have but to trust the navigator. Nice beginning to a story about a great adventure.
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Thanks so much, Brenda
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with a navigator like that, the risk of getting lost is highly unlikely. 🙂
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I think you’re right
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Dear Neil,
From the comments I’d say the naviagator has things well in hand, despite his passenger’s apprehensions. Crisp dialogue.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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A particularly evocative piece of writing, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Linda
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The old navigator seems very unconcerned, perhaps his passengers should be too. Nice one, Neil.
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THanks so much, Keith
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There is something to be said about the power of positive thinking.
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And for the power of imagination
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Yeah I would be scared too. Nothing to see for weeks on end. Incredible navigators
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I’m in awe of what they can do
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thanks Neil , a real adventure unfolding here.
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I love this, it has the sense of an old folklore tale ❤️
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Thanks so much
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Wow. Love this. I could imagine being right there. Brilliant writing, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Fleur
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You are welcome, Neil 🙂
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Very interesting. Sometimes we do need guidance that is not always concrete and visible
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Thank you so much
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Sounds fun – inventing islands!
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It’s when you start inventing people on them that you become a writer
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