"Arrrr ... snarled the bad, bad old pirate, tying a (not so clean) snot rag around his neck for a bib.  "I be ready fer me grub!" 

"Aye, aye Sir," answered a young sailor close by, scrambling to get his plate.

"God, bless me Captain's plate," he whispered, silently to himself.

"Don't ye be prayin' fer me lad!" yelled the old pirate, slamming his fist onto the table.  His bread jumped off the plate and onto the floor.  Picking it up he ate it anyway.

"Aye aye ... aye Sir," said the young sailor as he turned to leave.  But that night he knelt to pray.  "Heavenly Father," said he, "Me Captain be needin' you, right bad.  I ask ye, save 'im in Jesus name!"

Outside he heard angry voices.  Through the window, he saw his Captain on the plank.  Swords and daggers were pokin' and pushin' him to the end.

"God, show me what to do!" He cried.  Grabbing a small lifeboat he lowered it down, down into the water below.  There he waited ...

The captain heard his name called out, on his way down.  Wet and grateful he crawled into the boat.

"Show me how ta talk ta yer God, Son," he said.  "I be needin' ta thank 'im right about now.  This nite, Davy Jones 'ad a locker wit me name on it, but I be needin' it no more!"

"Captain," said the boy, "Ye be talkin' ta God no different than ye talk ta me.  Just say, yer knowin' now how wrong ya been bein' an ask fer 'is forgiveness.  He be listenin' ...

A salty tear slid down the old man's cheek.  "God, I be askin' fer yer forgiveness.  Jesus, I be wantin' yer help ..."  Then he added, "I 'ave no ship ta sail fer ye, I 'ave nothing left ... but I am yers ta command!"

"Amen," said the young sailor, removing his hat.  Off they sailed into the nite.  Nobody knew they were there, except for God, of course.  And He's the one who matters most!  Yes, God had an exciting plan for their lives!