Creative Writing Prompt - May 8, 2014: X Marks the Spot

Writer's Digest has weekly prompts that gives you the baseline of a story and then you finish her off. Here was last week's prompt that I did. I'll do this week's prompt sometime this weekend. I'll attempt to do this every week. Let me know what you think either here or on Facebook. I'm always open for improvements.

X Marks the Spot

You’re a pirate on a small pirate ship, that consists of only you, one other pirate and a captain. Recently you ransacked another ship and found a treasure map. After weeks of following it, you’ve finally found the island where “X” marks the spot. Write a scene where you find the buried treasure, only it’s not exactly the treasure you expected to find. 

My Story:

At last! At week’s end I have come across the mark. A grand X lay within the grains of the sand, ready to be torn apart. Beneath, the glorious prize in which I have escaped many obstacles in order to obtain.

“Grab eh shovel an’ get ta diggin’ fellas!” the captain bellowed from behind. However, I was too eager. I dug, flinging sand back like a dog awaiting his bone’s return. My companions joined me with more suitable tools and we commenced in the final search.

“Me got it!” my other comrade screamed with joy. We all were on our knees and we pulled the chest out from beneath the depths of the sand. It was a water worn chest with gold notches, missing gems, and flaking leather, yet it was the most beautiful object I have ever embraced.

The captain grabbed an axe and gave one good heave to knock the lock off of it. I had the honor of opening it. With one great push, I threw the top open and saw…a glass bottle.

“Der be no treasure here!” my mate groaned.

“What may dat der be den?” the captain quizzed.

I took the bottle and opened it. Inside was a single note with one single word:

Ithaka

“Argh! Maybe der be treasure in that place!” my captain said with hope. I shook my head.

“No Captain, Ithaka is the treasure.” I smiled, threw the bottle in the chest and kicked it shut.

“Come on fellas. I know where the treasure is. Grab the chest and let’s go!”

* * * *

For those of you who might not know. Below is Ithaka by Constantine P. Cavafy (one of my favorite poems of all time)

When you set out for Ithaka
ask that your way be long,
full of adventure, full of instruction.
The Laistrygonians and the Cyclops,
angry Poseidon - do not fear them:
such as these you will never find
as long as your thought is lofty, as long as a rare
emotion touch your spirit and your body.
The Laistrygonians and the Cyclops,
angry Poseidon - you will not meet them
unless you carry them in your soul,
unless your soul raise them up before you.

Ask that your way be long.
At many a Summer dawn to enter
with what gratitude, what joy -
ports seen for the first time;
to stop at Phoenician trading centres,
and to buy good merchandise,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensuous perfumes of every kind,
sensuous perfumes as lavishly as you can;
to visit many Egyptian cities,
to gather stores of knowledge from the learned.

Have Ithaka always in your mind.
Your arrival there is what you are destined for.
But don't in the least hurry the journey.
Better it last for years,
so that when you reach the island you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaka to give you wealth.
Ithaka gave you a splendid journey.
Without her you would not have set out.
She hasn't anything else to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaka hasn't deceived you.
So wise you have become, of such experience,
that already you'll have understood what these Ithakas mean.