Pirate Ship To Spain
My obsession for children’s literacy has been with me for a long time. Back in college, as President of “Synergy” our Sociology Club, I initiated a bi-county wide book drive. These books were then donated to lower funded schools and youth organizations. In my final year, we were able to donate a little over 3000 books!! A child reading is a child learning, and a child with a higher success rate in life. Allowing their minds to explore and wander is a beautiful thing. There is nothing better than seeing a child sitting down and reading a book, or a parent reading to their children. This book is about adventures you have when reading.
I hope after each story, their minds continue to think and imagine their own adventures in life.
There once was a ship
full of pirates and maps.
The Captain was Francis,
the Flamingo of the Seas.
He had a silly crew
they danced
and sang raps
about the ocean so blue.
While all the crew was singing
The captain came a running.
“Ahoy there crazy rascals,
I found us a treasure map.”
They all ran to see the map
And what it showed
“You see that X?”
the captain pointed
“That is where we find our buried treasure.”
Captain Francis explained that the
treasure was located in a far-off
land called “Spain.”
They had never sailed that far before.
“Listen up me hearties, raise the masses and batten down the hatches you blimey boogers, we set sail for Spain and it’s riches.”
The Captain was shouting as they danced in excitement.
With his one good eye,
Captain Francis surveyed the seas.
He spotted snakes swimming on
top of the water.
“Crickey’s mates, trouble ahead.” Captain shouted as he pointed.
“We have slithering snakes coming at us.”
“Captain them ain’t no snakes.
That’s a giant ship eating octopus.”
Little Jamsey the Blade exclaimed.
“All hands-on deck, prepare to fire the cannons.”
Francis frantically bellowed as he
climbed up the mast higher to see
the creature.
The crew fired at the sea creature
And soon it swam away.
Silly them….
They thought he was gone.
“I just want to join you on all your adventures. I’m not a monster, I am Oliver the Octopus.”
He cried out from under the ship.
“Captain Francis, he wants to be our friend.”
Second Mate Brebee muttered as she
jumped overboard to join Oliver.
The rest of the crew looked over the
side to see where Brebee had gone.
Cabin boy JoshyPoo then jumped
overboard also, and Bosun Hayhay
joined him as well.
They started to swim and play with
Oliver, and Francis realized that the
octopus could be a big help on their
adventure. He would be able to
swim ahead of the ship and help
guide them.
“Arrghh, how fast can you swim Matey?” the captain asked Oliver.
“I’m mighty fast sir, why do you ask?” Oliver responded.
“Well, I was thinking you could be my lead at the bow of the ship. You can see what my one eye can’t, so you could help steer the boat.” Answered Captain Francis.
Olivers eyes got big and bright
and his tentacles started to wave all
around causing waves.
“It would be a great honor to guide your ship Captain. I will be the best crew member you ever had! Where are we going? India, China, Australia, the Moon? I’ve been all over the world.” Oliver excitedly asked.
“Ahahaha you hilarious bobbing blob of sea barnacles. We can’t sail to the moon, not yet anyway.”
Captain shouted as he took the
treasure map out to show Oliver
their destination.
“This ship is setting sail for the magical lands of Spain. To find the buried treasures is our mission.”
Francis proudly said as he smiled at the X on the map
“Well, gosh, we are not far from there. I was just there visiting my old friend Sammy the Sea Squid.”
Oliver replied.
Oliver swam in front of the great ship, Brebee was at the helm steering.
Joshypoo was high up in the mast
watching for land, and Hayhay
was getting the anchor ready.
Oliver was swimming so fast through
the water, as the ship followed it
was bouncing up and down.
“Ohhhh I don’t feel so good.” Joshypoo gurgled as he swayed back and forth.
“We are almost there pal, hold on to your innards.” Oliver hollered from below.
Just then, Captain Francis spotted
something up ahead through his
telescope.
“Land Ho mateys!!!” the captain shrieked in excitement.
“Brebee straight ahead, hold that wheel tight, keep us on path. Let the wind blow the sails.”
Francis shouted as he ran to the side of the ship for a closer look at the land mass ahead.
“Oliver, is that Spain out there?”
Questioned the Captain
“Yess sir it sure is Spain. Isn’t she pretty captain!”
As the ship got closer to land, the
crew got ready to go explore this
place. Hayhay got the shovels, and
Joshypoo thought it would be a
good idea to bring a few empty
sacks for their treasures.
“We’re all set Captain.”
Joshypoo and Hayhay announced as
they arrived on the shores of Spain.
Captain Francis and the crew started
off on their exploration for the
buried treasure. Francis checked the
map as they walked through the
trees.
“15 more steps to the left and it looks like we will be where the X is according to this here treasure map.”
The captain shouted to the others.
Just as they neared the spot,
they heard a noise coming from the bushes.
“Grrrrr, no one gets near that treasure. I am Davey the Mean and horrible Monster of the island treasures.”
A loud voice yelled and suddenly they
saw a creature running towards them.
“I’m Captain Francis Flamingo of the Dreaded Sea Surfing Pirate Vessel. I found this treasure; you can’t stop me!”
The Captain yelled as he pulled out his
pirate sword.
The Monster came running at them
waving his club and growling. The
crew started to throw rocks at
Davey, hitting him on his head.
“Ouch that hurts. Stop doing that to me.”
Davey cried out as he rubbed his head.
“You are attacking us, so we are simply defending ourselves.”
Joshypoo said as he grabbed another
rock from his pocket.
“I’m not trying to hurt you; I’m only doing what I’m supposed to do…protect the treasure. I just wanted to scare you off.”
Davey yelled as he plopped down on
the ground to cry.
“How are we to know that Mr. monster. You came running at us all scary and loud with your club in the air.”
Hayhay exclaimed as she walked over
to him and helped rub his sore head.
“I am most sorry. I will allow you to take this treasure as my apology to all of you.”
Davey declared as he put his hand out to shake with Hayhay.
“Well thank you, we accept your apology and appreciate you allowing us this treasure. Would you like to come aboard the ship for some sweet tea and cake when we are through here?”
Captain replied as he gave Davey a pat
on his back.
“Well, I’m supposed to stay here and protect, but it’s so lonely here by myself. I would love some sweet tea and a bit of cake. Thank you.”
Davey very enthusiastically replied as
he got up to join the Captain and
crew.
All of them continued the steps to the
buried treasure.
There it was. They all started to dig,
and suddenly Brebee hit
something with her shovel.
“Keep digging, let’s get it out.”
Francis yelled
“Yippy YaHoo, I’m so happy we found it.”
Hayhay sang loudly.
“Let us bring it to the ship to see what is inside of it. Oh, my goodness it is heavy. Everyone lift.”
Captain said to the crew.
A colossal chest was pulled up from
the hole they dug. It was gold
and ohhh sooo shiny. As they put it
on the ground, the lid flew open.
It was full of gold coins, pearls,
beads, jewels, diamonds and
gems of all sizes. It was
beautiful.
Francis, Hayhay, Joshypoo, Brebee,
and Davey all just stood there
looking in amazement at all the
colors.
Suddenly they heard Oliver yelling from the water.
“Did you find it, are you all ok, what’s going on, where are you?”
Oliver cried loudly out to the Captain
and crew.
“Oh, my goodness this is taking way
too long. I’m afraid something horrible has happened to my new friends and I have no legs to walk on land to find them.”
Oliver cried to himself in concern.
“Don’t you worry your slippery little self; we are all fantabulous and, on our way, back to the ship safe and sound.”
Captain Francis shouted out to Oliver.
As they all departed the trees and
stepped back onto the beach, Oliver
saw them and was so delighted to
see them all, and with a new
friend!
Davey carried the chest onto the ship
and placed it on the deck. Joshypoo
introduced Oliver and Davey, and
Brebee got out the tea and cake.
“Do you think it would be alright if I went home with all of you? I have no family here and I’m lonesome.”
Davey asked with tears in his eyes.
“You’re a good guy Davey, and I would be proud to have you on my crew. You got a family here with all of us now!
Well mates this was a mighty excellent and successful trip. We made two amazing new friends, explored a new land, and got our buried treasure. Let us set sail for home!”
Captain Francis cheered loudly.
The Dreaded Sea Surfing Pirate Vessel
headed into the sunset to go home as
everyone on board was eating,
singing, and dancing. Even Davey
was happy as he finally got his
sweet tea and cake and was part
of a family now.
Oliver was swimming and leaping
in the water all around the ship
playing and laughing with some nearby dolphins, fish, and a sea turtle.
Everyone was happy and had a most excellent adventure.
Look for more of Francis the Flamingos Amazing Adventures.
Get creative and have fun with the coloring pages and the maze!
