[00:36.35]1 My first sea journey
[00:40.05]Before I begin my story, I would like to tell you a little about myself.
[00:49.62]I was born in the year 1632, in the city of York in the north of England.
[00:59.39]My father was German, but he came to live and work in England.
[01:07.04]Soon after that, he married my mother, who was English.
[01:13.22]Her family name was Robinson, so, when I was born, they called me Robinson, after her.
[01:25.53]My father did well in his business and I went to a good school.
[01:33.33]He wanted me to get a good job and live a quiet, comfortable life.
[01:39.75]But I didn't want that.
[01:42.41]I wanted adventure and an exciting life.
[01:47.42]'I want to be a sailor and go to sea, ' I told my mother and father.
[01:56.08]They were very unhappy about this.
[02:00.50]'Please don't go, ' my father said.
[02:04.88]'You won't be happy, you know.
[02:07.79]Sailors have a difficult and dangerous life. '
[02:13.47]And because I loved him, and he was unhappy, I tried to forget about the sea.
[02:22.71]But I couldn't forget, and about a year later, I saw a friend in town.
[02:31.98]His father had a ship, and my friend said to me,
[02:38.52]'We're sailing to London tomorrow.
[02:42.48]Why don't you come with us? '
[02:45.85]And so, on September 1st, 1651, I went to Hull, and the next day we sailed for London.
[03:00.13]But, a few days later, there was a strong wind.
[03:06.48]The sea was rough and dangerous, and the ship went up and down, up and down.
[03:14.98]I was very ill, and very afraid.
[03:20.81]'Oh, I don't want to die! ' I cried.
[03:26.69]'I want to live! If I live, I'll go home and never go to sea again! '
[03:37.61]The next day the wind dropped, and the sea was quiet and beautiful again.
[03:45.98]'Well, Bob, ' my friend laughed. 'How do you feel now? The wind wasn't too bad. '“
[03:55.77]'What! ' I cried. 'It was a terrible storm. '
[04:02.44]'Oh, that wasn't a storm, ' my friend answered. 'Just a little wind.
[04:10.93]Forget it. Come and have a drink. '