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Across the Strait Ruben pressed his forehead to the ferry window as the harbour slipped behind them. He had signed up for the junior navigation challenge at the island’s community centre. The prize was a place in a sailing course, but Ruben wanted something more: to show himself that he could finish a difficult task. His friend Losa glanced at the folded map in his hands. “There are six checkpoints,” she said. “We’ll need to pay attention when the ferry docks.” At the island, a gust of wind snatched Ruben’s map and sent it skittering across the wharf. He chased it, caught it near a stack of crates, and smoothed its creased corners. For a moment, he wondered if the challenge was beyond him. Then he remembered the evenings he had spent learning the map symbols. Ruben and Losa set off. At the third checkpoint, they took a wrong turn and lost time. Ruben wanted to hurry, but Losa suggested they stop and check the map carefully. They found the right path and reached the final marker just before the event ended. Ruben did not win the sailing-course place. Still, he grinned as he handed in his completed card. The journey had been like a test of balance: every setback had made him steadier. On the ferry ride home, he was already thinking about what he might try next.