From the lifeboat I saw something in the water.
I cried, “Richard Parker, is that you? It’s so hard to see. Oh, that this rain would stop! Richard Parker? Richard Parker? Yes, it is you!”
I could see his head. He was struggling to stay at the surface of the water.
“Jesus, Mary, Muhammad and Vishnu, how good to see you, Richard Parker! Don’t give up, please. Come to the lifeboat. Do you hear this whistle? TREEEEEEE! TREEEEEEE! TREEEEEEE! You heard right. Swim, swim! You’re a strong swimmer. It’s not a hundred feet.”
He had seen me. He looked panic-stricken. He started swimming my way. The water about him was shifting wildly. He looked small and helpless.