The Journey of the Little Broken Boat Continued

I see The Falls up ahead and I worry. What if I never make it down? Will my whole life be for nothing? No! I must not think that way. I have to make it down. I need to make it down. I will make it down. Life doesn't just end at the climax. I will make it down and I will be happy and relieved when I do. And I will be happy. I will be happy. That is all I ever wanted.

Sometimes I am a little broken boat being tossed about in a winding river. For now, the wood that is my body, and the sail that keeps me moving, is working just enough to keep me from crashing into the jagged rocks that protrude from the vicious foaming waters. As my simple, thin frame clings together with all the strength it can muster while being thrown around like a leaf in a tornado, my mind is a whirlwind of thought, never slowing down or weakening in the slightest. Every once in a while, there is a small path of calm waters branching out from the river. If I could only bring my torn and frail sails into the direction of the path so that I may have a chance to slow down and rebuild myself. Maybe, if I can make it into the calm stream, I can become even bigger so that I am ready when I must rejoin the river. Then I can power through and finally make it to the Ocean, where real life is. Where I can find myself and become what I was meant to be. That seems to good to be true though, too unfair, because I have it easier than some. Some little broken boats don't even have a sail! Some, are almost missing half of their wooden frame! Why should I get the chance to rest and rebuild myself when so many before me have made it to the ocean in much worse shape than I? I am weak and I can go on, so I do. I pass the calm streams every time they come, and I power through. Faster. Faster. Weaker. Weaker. How can I possibly go on? Then one day, The Falls. The final terror in my journey to the Ocean. I look down at all of the missing wood in my hull. The water rushes in faster than I can tip it out. I am filling up with water and fear. I cannot survive The Falls. I cannot survive the crushing blow of being alone while falling apart, board by board, nail by nail. I cannot, but I must try.