My name is Robinson Crusoe. I was born in the city of York, England, in the year 1632. My family was comfortable and respected. We were not rich, but we had enough money to live without serious worries.
My father was originally from Germany. He came to England and became a successful businessman. My mother came from a good English family. I was their youngest son.
I had two older brothers. One became a soldier and died in a battle against the Spanish. I never learned exactly what happened to the other. In time, my parents would know very little about what had happened to me, either.
From the time I was young, I had one great dream. I wanted to travel across the sea.
I did not want to become a lawyer, a businessman, or a farmer. I wanted to visit distant countries, see strange places, and experience adventures that other people only read about in books.
My father did not agree with me.
He was an old and sensible man. He wanted me to stay in England, find a respectable occupation, and live a peaceful life.
One morning, he called me into his room. He was not feeling well and was resting in bed.
“Robinson,” he said, “why do you want to leave your home? You have everything you need here. You can have a good life without going to sea.”
I told him that I wanted to see the world.
He looked at me sadly.
“My son, there are three kinds of people in this world. Some are very rich, some are very poor, and others live between these two conditions. The people in the middle often have the happiest lives.”
He explained that poor people suffered because they lacked money and comfort. Rich people, however, often suffered from ambition, jealousy, and endless worries.
“But a man who lives in the middle,” he continued, “can enjoy peace, health, friendship, and reasonable comfort.”
He believed that I could have such a life.
He warned me about the dangers of the sea. Ships could sink. Storms could destroy everything. Sailors could become sick or die far from their families.
“Why should you risk your life when you can live safely at home?” he asked.
His words were full of love and concern.
Then he began to cry.
He told me that my older brother had also refused to listen to his advice. My father had warned him not to join the army, but he went anyway and died in battle.
“I do not want to lose another son,” he said.
For a moment, I felt deeply ashamed.
I promised myself that I would stay in England and forget my dreams of adventure.
But that promise did not last.
A few days later, my desire to travel returned. Every time I saw a ship or heard someone speak about distant lands, I felt restless.
I could not imagine spending my entire life in one town.
Several months passed.
One day, I spoke to my mother.
“Mother,” I said, “I cannot be happy unless I travel. Please ask Father to allow me to make one voyage. If I do not enjoy it, I promise I will return home and never leave again.”
My mother became angry.
“Your father has already told you what he thinks,” she replied. “I will not help you do something that may destroy your future.”
She said that my father loved me too much to encourage such a dangerous plan.
I was disappointed, but I still refused to give up my dream.
For almost a year, I continued thinking about the sea. I had no real plan, no experience as a sailor, and very little understanding of the dangers ahead.
I only knew that I wanted to leave.
Then, in September 1651, an opportunity appeared.
I was visiting the town of Hull when I met a young friend. His father owned a ship that was preparing to sail to London.
My friend invited me to join him.
“You will enjoy the journey,” he said. “You do not need to pay anything. Come with us and see what life at sea is like.”
It seemed like the perfect opportunity.
I did not ask my parents for permission. I did not write them a letter. I did not even stop to consider how worried they would be.
On September 1, 1651, I boarded the ship.
As we sailed away from Hull, I watched the land slowly disappear behind us.
At first, I felt excited and free.
I believed that my great adventure had finally begun.
But before the day was over, the weather changed.
Dark clouds gathered above the sea. The wind grew stronger, and the waves became larger.
Soon, the ship began to rise and fall violently.
I had never experienced anything like it.
My stomach became sick. My head hurt, and I could hardly stand.
As the storm continued, I became terrified.
I thought the ship would sink and that I would die before reaching London.
Suddenly, I remembered my father’s warnings.
He had told me that the sea was dangerous, but I had refused to listen.
Now I understood his words.
I prayed to God and promised that, if I survived, I would return home immediately.
I would never board another ship.
I would obey my father and live a quiet life in England.
For several hours, I remained frightened and miserable.
Then, slowly, the wind became weaker.
The waves grew smaller, and the sea became calm again.
The next morning, the sun rose over the water. The sky was clear, and the sea looked beautiful.
My fear began to disappear.
I stepped onto the deck and looked around.
My friend saw me and laughed.
“Well, Robinson,” he said, “were you frightened by that little wind yesterday?”
“Little wind?” I answered. “I thought we were all going to die!”
He laughed again.
“That was nothing! You will see much worse weather if you become a sailor.”
I felt embarrassed.
As the day passed, I began to forget my promises.
The sea looked peaceful, and the excitement of adventure returned.
I did not know that a far more dangerous storm was waiting for us.