Henry Every had a nickname.
Pirates LOVE nicknames. (It’s basically the best part of being a pirate. For sure, it’s the cheapest part of being a pirate.)
His nickname was Long Ben.
Nobody called him Henry. Not even his mom. Probably.
Now, Long Ben wanted one thing more than anything in the whole entire world.
Treasure.
Not a little treasure. Not a medium treasure. ALL the treasure. Every last shiny, golden, glittery piece of treasure.
“ARRR,” said Long Ben. “One day I shall be the RICHEST pirate who ever sailed the seven seas!”
Pirates say “ARRR” when they want to make a point. Or when the point of a sword be pointing at them. Or when they stub a toe. Or sneeze. Basically, “ARRR” works for everything. Long Ben knew this well and said “ARRR” often.
His crew nodded. His crew always nodded. Smart crews nod. Not-so-smart crews nod off and find themselves marooned. (That’s pirate for “left behind on a deserted island.” It is not a good thing. Unless you really like sand.)
So Long Ben sailed his ship, a fine vessel called the Fancy. Now, Fancy was actually a very sneaky name for “Nancy,” a woman he loved who was already married to another pirate. A pirate with a bigger ship. A faster one. (This is why pirates have trust issues.)
Changing just the first letter, you see, is the pirate way of saying something without actually saying it. Very sneaky. Very pirate-y. Like this. Barge — named after Marge, your grandmother. Or Dory — named after Cory, your best friend who always forgets things. Or Galley — named after Sally, your aunt who made the best soup and therefore seemed like a natural fit for the ship’s kitchen.
So Long Ben sailed all the way to the Red Sea. It’s not really red, but it does have reeds and lots of sand around it, so on windy days, Reedy Red Sandy Sea is a good place to make port — because that’s where the REALLY good treasure was.
And then?
He found it.
Two ships. ENORMOUS ships. Belonging to the Great Moghul of India himself. (Not Nancy’s husband.) Piled so high with gold and jewels and silks that the ships sat low in the water like a very rich, very slow turtle.
“SHIVER ME TIMBERS!” hollered Long Ben.
Long Ben was a tall, long fellow who, even in excessive heat, found his timbers (bones) chilled.
He captured both ships. Every last coin. Every last gem. Every last silk pillow. (Pirates love a good silk pillow. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Why, it wouldn’t be surprising to learn that Bed, Bath, and Over My Dead Body and Beyond was started by a pirate. They do love a good pillow. And a chocolate on top.)
Long Ben was now the richest pirate who had ever, EVER sailed the seven seas.
So Long Ben retired. He sailed away to a quiet little cottage with all his treasure piled around him.
And then he sat there.
With all his treasure.
And waited to feel happy.
Hmmm.
The gold just sat there, being gold. The jewels just sat there being jewelly. The silk pillows were actually quite nice. But still.
Something was missing.
He didn’t have friends — they’d all sailed away or gotten into trouble. Some got dropped into the sea for getting into trouble. He didn’t have family nearby. He didn’t even have a good story to tell anymore, because nobody was allowed to know where he was.
The most famous pirate in the whole world sat alone in a cottage surrounded by treasure.
Pirate Pause:
Have you ever REALLY wanted something — like really, really, REALLY wanted it — and then you got it… and it just wasn’t as great as you thought?
You don’t have to answer. I’m still just a tall sea tale. I can’t hear you.
End of Pirate Pause.
Here’s the thing about getting everything you want.
Sometimes you finally get the thing. The toy. The candy. The turn. The prize.
And it’s great! For about five minutes.
Then you’re just… sitting there. Holding the thing. Waiting for the happy to show up.
Long Ben waited a long time.
Then — we don’t know; we weren’t there — he might have realized what true treasure is.
God made you and everyone for something that never gets boring and never runs out. Not stuff — but people. People are the true treasure. Yes, yes, like pirates, people can be smelly, and mean, and selfish. But sometimes they can also say nice things like, “You smell. You’re mean. And that’s MINE!”
And while that may not sound nice, it at least acknowledges that you exist. And that’s something. Because knowing deep down that YOU are already somebody’s treasure — even a smelly treasure — makes you valuable.
That feeling? The one no treasure chest in the world is big enough to hold? That’s knowing that you matter, you are seen, and that with a bath, you might even get a hug.
Long Ben had everything he ever wished for.
Except for friends and family.
And he died poor.
Turns out treasure can’t keep you warm at night. People can.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21
Let’s Talk About It:
- Have you ever really, really wanted something — and then got it — and it wasn’t as great as you thought?
- What’s something in your life that makes you happy that you could NEVER put in a treasure chest?
- God calls YOU His treasure. How does that make you feel?
Remember: The best treasures don’t fit in a chest. 💛
Sundays, you’ll find the Pirate Preacher in Moore Square, Raleigh, NC, and at the bus station. There, Team Jesus passes out food, water, chips, and cookies. We also lay hands on and pray with other so they may enjoy the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10). His books are read by countless inmates and used to introduce others to Christ.
The Pirate Preacher is an award-winning author of middle-grade, YA, and adult fiction who loves to surf. Send a message in a bottle to the Pirate Preacher: PiratePreacher.org@gmail.com