The harbor lights were burning low,
The sails were up, prepared to go.
Prince William grinned and called to Fitz,
“Let’s race my father—see who wins!”

The captain bowed, his eyes were bright.
“We’ll beat them to the shore tonight.”
Their ship—the White—stood bold and wide,
With music, food, and cheer inside.

“Let’s feast before the trip begins!”
The prince declared with toast and grin.
The crew all danced and clapped their hands,
Then raised the anchor off the sand.

They laughed and sang beneath the moon,
Their voices chasing back the gloom.
The sea was still, the stars were clear,
But something brushed the edge of fear.

“Let’s hug the coast,” the young prince said.
“We’ll catch the king—he’s just ahead!”
Fitz paused and frowned. “There’s rocks below.”
But William waved. “It’s fine! Let’s go!”

The ship turned east, the wind stayed light.
They skimmed along through silver night.
But just ahead, Fitz saw too late—
The roaring rocks, the twist of fate.

He turned the helm and yelled, “Hold tight!”
The ship leaned left with all its might.
The sails flapped wild, the crew turned pale,
As gusts of wind replaced calm sail.

They bumped and scraped but didn’t break.
The crew fell still. No songs. No cake.
They drifted slow to calmer seas,
Their laughter now replaced by peace.

Prince William stepped onto the sand.
He turned to grasp Fitz-Stephen’s hand.
“Next time,” he said, “we’ll play it slow—
And let the wiser captains row.”

_{“Over the Water, Before the Dawn” by Nina D. Smith. Published by Bright Bunny Books © 2025. Retelling of “The Wreck of the White Ship” from The Parkhurst Boys and Other Stories of School Life by Talbot Baines Reed, originally published in 1914.}

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“Over the Water, Before the Dawn” is best suited for grades 6–8 because it uses accessible poetic language, explores themes of pride and responsibility, and presents a historical-inspired adventure in a modern, relatable format.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Prince William ignored Fitz-Stephen’s warning about the rocks? What does this tell us about his character at the beginning of the story?
2. What does the story suggest about leadership and listening to others? Can you think of a time when you or someone else learned a lesson the hard way?
3. How does the poem’s structure (rhyming couplets, changing rhythm) help show the shift from celebration to danger? What effect does it have on the reader’s experience?

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