The Everlasting Horizon

Keelo woke up to the daily crow of the rooster in the morning. The sky was pitch black as always, and the air was freezing cold. Keelo knew that the cold was only a temporary relief, before the blistering sun sears the island during the day.  The familiar spray of the sea hit Keelo in the face as he emerged from his small hut. He took a deep breath, and exhaled in relief. He always found the sea’s presence comforting; after all, this is where he grew up, and his father before him, and so on. He went back in his hut to grab his paddle and straw hat.  Inside, he couldn’t help but notice how cute his wife and daughter looked when they were sleeping in scrunched up positions next to the central fire. My Pearls, he thought. My precious Pearls. To Keelo, his family really was his pearls; they’re the only thing in this world which he can truly call his own.

His walnut colored boat stood out against the sandy beach in contrast. Keelo paced towards the boat, humming to himself. Here we go again, he thought. He pushed his boat from the sands towards the crashing waves with all his strength. The boat floated in one place for a while, patiently waiting for its master to climb aboard. Keelo threw his paddle into the boat, and climbed aboard. His net was still nestled on the wooden floor of the boat. Keelo knew what came next. He held the shaft of his paddle with both of his arms, placing the spade of the paddle into the crashing waves, while holding the hilt aloft. Keelo then rowed further out into the sea, while the morning sun slowly perched out of the horizon. The waves got stronger as Keelo rowed further out in the sea, but the waters looked very smooth. Keelo finally found at a spot in the middle of the ocean, calm, but not completely static. Keelo grasped one end his net tightly, and flung the huge net with both arms into the air. The net spread itself fully in the air, and then landed in the smooth waters. The net floated aloft in the water for a while, silently waiting for unsuspecting prey. He held on to one end of the net, waiting to sense any tugging or pulling from the submerged part of the net.

Nothing to do but wait, he sighed.

This was Keelo’s daily routine for as long as he can remember. Afterall, his family depended on whatever Keelo caught at that day. Clams, oysters, pearls, corals, exotic shards; these were the commodities most prized for. Anything short of that can only guarantee a few days worth supplies and rations.  “Spirits, yield me a good catch today…” murmured Keelo. As he watched the gentle waves surfing past him, Keelo had anxious thoughts buzzing in his head.

Supplies? Good for a week. Clothes? All washes. Oars? Must buy a new one… and the tax collectors.. Oh the damned tax collectors.. can’t let a man live in his own--                      But then his greatest worry came to daunt him once again.

“Leela…” croaked aloud Keelo. “ Oh my daughter… I cannot find it in my heart to force you into something that which you don’t approve of, but I cannot let you waste your future as well!”

 Keelo felt agony and despair seize him His worries started to gnaw at his core. Before Keelo knew what was happening, he broke in tears. He had always been strong for his family, being stoic for better or for worse. But in truth, Keelo’s spirit at this point was like a glass vase, ready to be toppled at any moment. Right when Keelo thought he would completely break down, his net tugged with force. The net tugged tighter and tighter, till Keelo had to use all his strength to reel in the net. “ What in spirits’ name…?!”, exclaimed Keelo. Keelo struggled to pull in the net closer and closer to the boat, until the weight of the net forced Keelo to set aside his oar. He used all his strength to haul in the catch; the boat almost capsized in the effort. From what Keelo could see, it resembled some sort of strange box.. The boat almost swayed sideways. Keelo beheld the strange box, apprehension and excitement blurring his vision. “A chest?” mused Keelo in wonderment.  Keelo noticed that the lid was slightly ajar, and a golden luster gleamed within. Keelo’s heart pounded suddenly. Keelo prayed that he won’t be disappointed this time. With shaking hands, he grasped the lid of the chest, and he closed his eyes. He slowly opened the lid fully, and he could feel the golden gleam illuminate his face. Keelo was sweating, for he had never experienced such tension since he first met his wife. Keelo slowly opened his eyes, and his eyes feasted on the sight. The chest housed thousands of gems, stones, and gold coins. Keelo wanted to faint at the sight, but all he could do was let out the longest gasp in his life. “ By God, even Cortez can’t match such wealth!” said Keelo in bewilderment. At that instance, Keelo’s dreary gloom for his life suddenly changed into visions of expectancy. Keelo’s broken spirit mended itself, with optimism pouring through the cracks. The visions started to flood his mind already; a better house, good food, and fine clothes. But Keelo found relief in the one problem that he could finally solve; his daughter’s future. “She won’t have to live like a popper’s daughter anymore”, said Keelo tearfully. “She can finally marry”.

 Keelo closed the lid of the chest, and grabbed his paddle. He rowed his way back to the beach, but before he set shore, he was frozen still. Keelo saw Leela at the far side of the shore, holding hands with a young, tan boy about her age. He looked strong, built, and good natured; faults couldn’t be discerned at first glance, Keelo concluded. They were laughing and playing, until the pair got real close to each other. Soon, the two kissed. A cold breeze swept past Keelo’s unflinching eyes. The ocean suddenly seemed much larger than it actually was. “My daughter... she has found her love…!” breathed Keelo. He stared at the chest which lay beside him, still gleaming with Keelo’s hopes. He glanced at the couple, and then at the box.  Without a second thought, Keelo heaved the immense chest, and chucked it across the boat and into the gulping water.  He then turned towards the sun, closed his eyes, and took the longest breath of life. He felt that only now, has he found the true bounty of life.