NIGHT CAME TOO SOON 

Part 3

Those were happy days for the little boat. It was now admired
 by women and children who liked to stroke it and patted by the
 men who were proud of their work.

One day, at the end of August, the little blonde girl came with
 her father, looking pensive.

Her father asked her to name the boat, and,
 without hesitation, she said:"ESTONIA".

Her tall father 's eyes grew moist and his voice cracked
 when he answered:''You couldn't have chosen a better name, child."

He stooped and gave her a small brush.

"You can paint the name on the boat but make sure
 it's in very small letters...over here."

"But father, it won't be seen there!" cried the girl.
 "Even the boat won't know it has a name!"

"It will know," said the father. "And so will we.
 It's best to use small letters in wartime..."

His voice was hoarse and sad. His heart was heavy
 because he was a great patriot and loved this land. Leaving it
 for any length of time was painful to him but he had to take
 his family and close friends to safety.

The little girl looked up at him and said no more.
 She took the little brush, dipped it in white paint and carefully
 painted "ESTONIA" in very small letters in the place her
 father had shown. It looked very nice and she stood back
 to admire her work. Her father had turned his back while she
 was working with great concentration, the tip of her tongue
 visible in the effort. The father was crying and didn't
 want his child to see his sorrow.

"You have a name now, boat," she whispered."I'm sorry it
 can't be bigger but, you see, there are reasons. I hope you
 like it." And she patted the boat with pride and affection.
 The boat felt loved and wished it could tell her how proud it
 was of it's name - it hoped the girl knew.

"ESTONIA" was it's name.  It had a definite ring to it.
 If only the little girl could know how it had longed for a name!
 Now, at last, it was ready to float on waters.
 It felt it could face anything.
 However, it was November before it would be put to a real test.

                                             


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