Tales of the Sea, and of Our Jack Tars

"Tales of the Sea" by W.H.G. Kingston is a collection of exciting stories that take place on the open ocean, where a boy named "Happy Jack" ignores his father's plans and chases his dreams of sailing the seas to live a life full of adventure. These stories mix daring escapades with the close friendships between sailors but also show the tough side of life on a ship. The first story, "Happy Jack," tells how Jack joins the ship "Naiad" to begin his journey. The early parts show how he gets used to being a sailor and makes friends with the others on board. As the stories continue, they highlight how Jack stays strong and cheerful, even during difficult times like when a terrible storm puts the ship and everyone on it in danger, which prepares him for more adventures.