The Good Companion

Ethel King-Shaw is professor emerita of curriculum and instruction in
the Department of Teacher Preparation at the University of Calgary.

With a crew of five men, a commercial fishing vessel named The Good
Companion set sail for the deepwater fishing grounds. The superstitious
captain did not believe in tempting fate. No changes were to be made
that might cause a reversal of their good luck, an instruction that
included no women aboard. A severe gale led the captain to seek shelter
in a nearby bay. To his chagrin, the crew rescued a girl lost at sea.
That night those on the ship had a common dream in which the crew and
the girl became a bird that flew above the storm. Next morning they
tried to return the girl to shore, but

the storm worsened and they had to continue with their passenger. They
reluctantly set sail for the deep waters and began fishing. The girl
learned many new skills and was very helpful. After 10 days they
returned to port with a full load of fish. The girl left, having still
not been fully accepted by the captain.

On a later trip the crew remembered the good times when the girl was on
board and that she had not brought them bad luck. During another fierce
storm, the crew was fighting desperately to save the ship. The captain
suddenly remembered the girl and heard the flapping of wings. His vision
of her changed his long-held beliefs. He and the crew returned safely
under quite different conditions.

Although this well-crafted tale is primarily a realistic story, the
spectre of the young girl illustrates how superstitions affect
people’s lives. Readers will enjoy the plot and the dramatic
illustrations. Highly recommended.