Restless Rover Rudy Ray Rogers

While other kids avoided the library and rushed to the playground during recess, Rudy went to the library to read about famous sea captains, such as Englishman William Bligh, James Cook, Blackbeard, Ahab, Sir Francis Drake, and Christopher Columbus. He learned that mutineers on Captain Bligh’s ship, the Bounty, set him adrift in a small boat. Miraculously, Bligh reached the island of Timor and eventually returned to England.

Of all the sailors, however, the one who captured his interest the most was James Cook, who was famous for three voyages in the Pacific Ocean. One of them went down in history as the first recorded journey (circumnavigation) around the world. Rudy was amazed that Cook sailed into uncharted areas of the globe. His eyes were the first to view vast oceans that no human being had ever seen. Not only was he a great sailor, but also he was a courageous captain who led his men during times of extreme danger.

Rudy was a handsome, athletic lad, and his classmates were puzzled because he never participated in their playground games. They called him “Restless Rover Rudy Ray Rogers” because all he talked about was his plans to become a ship captain and sail the seven seas. Even his parents were dismayed by his wanderlust nature and worried because he ignored schoolwork and studied complicated nautical books instead. He only shrugged and said to them, “I make perfect grades in school; the courses are easy for me but are uninteresting. I intend to be a sailor.”

Once, while walking along a dock beside the ocean, he saw a beautiful sailboat known as a sloop. He went aboard, and after looking closely at everything above and below deck, he fell in love with it and knew this dreamboat had to be his. Reluctantly, Mr. and Mrs. Rogers agreed to help him get a loan, and its owner was eager to sell it for a modest price. Rudy knew exactly what to name it: The Wanderlust.

With maps in hand, Rudy sailed for the South Sea Islands. Using a short-wave radio, he kept in touch with his parents, and because he was an excellent photographer, he took pictures of the many beautiful islands he visited. To his surprise, these photographs were in high demand by travel magazines, and soon, he was able to pay off the bank loan. Of course, he never stopped exploring and became a famous sailor, as was his dream. He was known by all as an ocean explorer: Restless Rover Rudy Ray Rogers.

NOTE: Jimmy Reed is a retired college professor and author of several books. This story is from his latest, a children’s book entitled FROM A TO Z, TO YOU FROM ME. Each story in the book maximizes the use of an alphabetical letter, enhanced by alliteration and assonance. The book is available on Amazon, or can be purchased directly from the author. His email address is jimmycecilreedjr@gmail.com

Jimmy Reed is an Oxford, Mississippi resident, Ole Miss and Delta State University alumnus, Vietnam Era Army Veteran, former Mississippi Delta cotton farmer and ginner, author, and retired college teacher.

Copies, including personalized autographs, can be reserved by notifying the author via email (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).