AND SO IT HAPPENED...

When I was doing my Nautical degree course, the institute where I studied used to take us for visiting merchant ships. During one of such visits we were lucky enough to be welcomed onboard an Indian war-ship. The officers and crew of that ship were very friendly and they invited us to the bridge (navigation area) where we met the Captain of that ship. He was a jovial fellow, unlike the kind you see on war-ships. He explained us the good, bad and ugly side of being on a warship especially during the war scenarios. Also told us a few the so called sea-stories, one of which caught our attention too well. Thought of sharing that story with the readers hence I'm posting it below.

A mariner who reads the below story, would find it equally amazing and funny. But a non-mariner may not feel the same way with out a little explanation. So let me first introduce the terms PORT and STARBOARD specially for the sake of non-mariner readers. These are the shipping terms used to denote LEFT and RIGHT sides of a ship respectively. These two are very important terms as far as a mariner is concerned or rather to whom ever goes to sea for a living. In other words, these are the two very first words that a mariner needs to know even before he sets his foot on a ship. There is also an very old saying (which is absolutely bullshit - but a saying is a saying, right?)

''The one who knows the port and starboard of his ship, doesn't require stars to navigate''

Such is the importance of those words. Anyways, I do not wish to bore you readers with further explanation. Here is the story,

Once upon a time there was a famous sea captain. This captain was very successful at what he did; for years he guided merchant ships all over the world. Never did stormy seas or pirates get the best of him. He was admired by his crew and fellow captains. However, there was one thing different about this captain. Every morning he went through a strange ritual. He would lock himself in his quarters and open a small safe. In the safe was an envelope with a piece of paper inside. He would stare at the paper for a minute, and then lock it back up. Afterward, he would go about his daily duties. For years this went on, and his crew became very curious. Was it a treasure map? Was it a letter from a long lost love? Everyone speculated about the contents of the strange envelope.

One day the captain died at sea. After laying the captain's body to rest, the first mate led the entire crew into the captain’s quarters. He opened the safe, got the envelope, and opened it and... The first mate turned pale and showed the paper to the others. Four words were on the paper; 2 lines with 2 words each:

''Port - Left''
''Starboard - Right''