Back in December our daughter entered an essay contest. She did not win, but this was a huge learning experience for her. She learned how to compile notes, how to put her notes together and that writting takes many "rough drafts"...and she learned the beautiful art of graceful "loosing"...
We are all very proud of her and thought her story was wonderful and thought you'd enjoy it as well.
The essay contest was centered around a picture of two children holding life jackets on the Titanic.
RISING COURAGE
Lucy and William Benson, along with Margret Betty, their nanny, were leaving for America on the Titanic this lovely, crisp morning. Mama and Papa Benson were saying all of their goodbyes to the three travelers. Mrs. Benson whispered in her son’s ear, “Take care of your sister.” William reassured his mother that he would let no harm come to her.
Papa called, “Time for you three to go now.”
On board the Titanic the travelers heard a loud noise then the ship began to move. Soon everything and everyone on shore were too tiny to see so they ventured towards their stateroom. Lucy’s breath was taken away when she saw the grand staircase. She whispered to William, “That is the most beautiful staircase I’ve ever seen in my whole life.” When they arrived at their room she immediately noticed how it smelt of roses and that the beds were brand new. William, who was an avid reader, longed to visit the Titanic’s well-stocked library.
“That is fine, I will meet you and Lucy in one hour at Café Parisienne.” responded Margret.
“Yes, Ma-am, that sounds wonderful.” said the two children.
In the library William found a book that interested him very much. Settling himself on one of the couches and began to read the Titan. Lucy made a new friend, Ruth Becker. Ruth was fourteen, the same age as William. The two got along well and spent most of their time chatting over sewing, baking and archery.
When William looked at the clock, he reluctantly closed the book and walked over to Lucy and Ruth, “Lucy its time to go.” On their way to Café Parisienne Lucy gleefully said, “William, Ruth reminds me of Aunt Sue. She has the same gentle sprit about her.” Lucy grabbed both of his hands and exclaimed, “Oh! Can you hardly wait to arrive in America and give our favorite aunt a hug.” William looked down at her nodded and smiled.
Café Parisienne took a moment to get used to. William gasped, “Lucy, this is just like the pictures of the sidewalk café’s in the French book back home!”
“Why, you are right. Look! Ivy crawling up the walls and oh, my it smells of freshly baked bread and coffee.”
After a splendid lunch of soup and baguettes, Margret took them to the pool. William and Lucy laughed as they tossed the big ball back and fourth while Margret read and watched. After swimming they went to a splendid room filled with mechanical horses and bicycles. Lucy pretended she was a grand princess fleeing to safety as she rode the horse, while William and Margret enjoyed a bike race. “Oh, what fun that was but let us take to the deck for some fresh air.” exclaimed Margret.
As they were strolling, all three noticed a lonely looking man. William walked close to the man and said, “Hello, my name is William Benson and this is my sister Lucy and Margret Betty our care taker.”
“Guglielmo Marconi is what they call me,” said the man with a twinkle in his eye.
Lucy’s eyes grew huge as she exclaimed, “We’ve heard about you from the newspapers back home. You are the inventor of the radio signaling system.”
Laughingly, Mr. Marconi responded, “Yes, indeed.”
“Look, look a family of dolphins,” cried Lucy.
“Marvelous,” whispered Mr. Marconi. They watched them play for a while before they departed for the evening. “Good-bye for now children, Ms. Betty.”
The days that followed were very much like the first one. William especially enjoyed meeting Mr. Anderson, the ship‘s designer. He also thought it very grand to have met Captain Smith.
Saturday night was unusually cold and Captain Smith told his crew to be more alert as it was a calm, moonless night making it difficult to see their way. At about 11:40 p.m., one of the look-outs spotted an iceberg. He immediately sounded the alarm. The bridge officer gave an order for the wheel to be turned as far as it would go. He telegraphed the engine room to reverse all engines, but the starboard bow side of the Titanic scraped the iceberg, missing a head-on collision, but not avoiding all of it.
Scrapping, banging, and rocking awoke most of the passengers. Margret woke up with a jolt and was worried. On deck, Captain Smith was ordering his crew, “Get passengers on the boat deck and have them put on their life jackets.” Meanwhile Margret had almost convinced herself that it was nothing and was drifting off to sleep when a knock came and then a voice shouted, “Get up, life jackets on, up on boat deck at once!” Sensing the urgency she moved quickly. “William! Lucy! Wake up. Quick life jackets on,” she shouted.
As they arrived on the boat deck what they saw was enough to stop a heart, panic everywhere. The boats were being lowered. Lucy saw Ruth and ran to her asking, “What is going on?” “I-I-I don’t know.” came the shaky reply. Captain Smith was nearby and shouted, “Come on Ladies, young William onto boat 11.”
William froze and looked long at Lucy then at Captain Smith and other men. With tears in his eyes he said, “I will not go before the other men!” “Lucy, Ruth and Margret must go, but I will stay.”
“Noooo you can’t,” cried Lucy with desperate eyes.
“I must,” was Williams solemn reply. A strong hand rested on William’s shoulder, “You are a brave young man, God be with you!” said Captain Smith as he hurried away.
William turned to Lucy and spoke with much passion, “Lucy we will see each other again.” Lucy started to cry and he held her tight as he whispered, “Don’t loose heart, Lucy. I love you forever.” One last hug and William helped her onto the boat.
As the boat was being lowered another boat came on top of them. William prayed asking for the Lord to spare their lives. As the oar man slashed the ropes it sent both boats to the water, inches from one another. Seeing Lucy was safe he tried to gain courage for what lay ahead.
Over all the confusion he heard the hymn that the musicians were playing, “Nearer to Thy God”. At this moment it meant more to him than ever and he whispered, “God please give me courage to face this.”
William could feel the boat ripping in two as he clung to the railing. The lights went out and then all was lost.
Lucy awoke on the Carpathia and called out, “Oh, William, it was only a drea….” She stopped as she realized what William and many courageous men had given. Sinking slowly to her knees she thought, “Now I know what a savior means.”
THE END
