What if I told you Ferry’s Tale of Pig Island was a true story?
In my youngest days I was always a sensitive soul. I grew up with a stern father, lots of uncles, and many cousins who loved the ocean. I loved it too.
On the weekends we would go fishing in Nassau, mostly around Coral Harbour and Rose Island.
I didn't particularly enjoy the rough and tough boating days because I was constantly ridiculed for not knowing how to catch or clean a fish. The fish were too squirmy and scaly for my likings.
These experiences led to a lot of laughter and tears at my expense - a common outcome - on my end.
One day while we were out fishing with tears in my eyes, my uncle dropped me off on a small island right off of Nassau. My young mind assumed they were abandoning me on that island because I wasn't a fisherman the rest of my cousins and uncles.
“…all we really need is support & help gaining confidence.”
Once my tears had dried up, I glanced down the beach to find an older fisherman near the tip of the alcove. He had sun bleached locks and was holding a large fishing net in one hand and had a bucket tied around his waist. I watched him as he casted his net and hauled in fish every now and then.
The fisherman walked over to me and asked me if I knew how to fish. He made me take out a fish from his bucket and hold it, but this too was a failure. The fisherman then used a thin tree branch to slide under the gills of the fish in his bucket. He handed the branch to me and told me to tell my cousins and uncles I caught them.
Not long after I saw my uncle’s boat headed right for the island. While they were all happy to see me, they were more interested and impressed at the fish in my hand. The fisherman was still standing on the beach and I explained to them that he helped me.
A similar message is portrayed in Ferry’s Tale. All Ferry ever really needed was support and someone to help him gain confidence. The Swimming Pig’s Island has always fascinated me, but even more so, it has always made me feel that there is a lesson one could learn about a magical island, tucked away in the beautiful islands of The Bahamas. I wanted to take my story and turn it upside down for all the children who may feel different than others, not good enough, or challenged by something.
I wrote this book to honor my uncles who showed me tough love, but still tried their best to get me out of my comfort zone and learn something new.
In Ferry’s Tale, you realize Uncle Harpoon had grown up with similar challenges and wanted to teach Ferry to persevere through his fears.
There are many experiences from my youth in the islands of The Bahamas I hope to continue to share. I want to remind children that they always have a friend and supporter everywhere they go - even if it's a plump pig named sinker!
