During the troubled years that followed the decline of the Old Kingdom, a powerful dynasty arose at Thebes and struggled to reunite Egypt.

The greatest ruler of this family was Mentuhotep II. He brought Upper Egypt under his authority and then conquered the north. Around 2055 BC, the Two Lands were united once more, marking the beginning of the Middle Kingdom.

To restore Egypt’s wealth, the kings of the Middle Kingdom organized expeditions by land and sea. Officials, soldiers, sailors, miners, and craftsmen traveled in search of gold, turquoise, amethyst, incense, ivory, and other valuable materials.

One surviving papyrus from this period preserves the remarkable story of a sailor who became stranded upon a mysterious island ruled by an enormous serpent.

The Returning Expedition

On a ship sailing north from Nubia toward Egypt sat one of the king’s most trusted officials. The commander stared miserably across the deck.

He had led an expedition into Nubia, but a series of disasters had prevented the men from returning with the full amount of gold expected by the king.

As the ship carried them closer to Egypt, the commander imagined the anger and disappointment awaiting him at court. Another official approached and sat beside him.

“May all your wishes be fulfilled, Commander,” he said. “Look around you. The crew are embracing one another and thanking the gods for bringing us safely home. We have crossed the Nubian border without losing a single man.

“Listen to my advice. Wash yourself, shave, and dress in your finest clothing. When the king questions you, answer calmly. Do not stammer or show fear. If you speak wisely, he will understand that the expedition’s failure was not your fault.

“Speech can save a man.”

The commander shook his head.

“Your words cannot help me, my friend. Why waste water washing a goose that will be slaughtered in the morning?”

The official smiled sadly.

“Then let me tell you what happened during my first expedition. Perhaps my story will show you how suddenly misfortune can become good fortune.”

He settled against the commander’s chair and began.

The Voyage Across the Sea

“When I was a poor young sailor, I joined a royal expedition bound for the turquoise mines across the Red Sea.

“Our ship carried one hundred and twenty men, the finest sailors in Egypt. They had faced storms before and feared nothing upon the water.

“For many days, our voyage was peaceful.

“Then, without warning, a terrible storm rose around us.

“The wind screamed across the sea. Towering waves struck the ship, and one enormous wave shattered the mast.

“The crew fought desperately to save the vessel. Men hauled upon ropes, emptied water from the hull, and tried to control the damaged sail.

“But nothing could save us.

“Within moments, the ship began to sink.

“Every sailor was swept into the sea.

“All of them drowned except me.

“A great wave seized me and carried me away from the wreck. I remember being thrown through the water until another wave hurled me onto the shore of an unknown island.

“I used the last of my strength to crawl beyond the reach of the surf. Beneath a pile of driftwood, I found shelter and collapsed.

“For three days and three nights, I lay there exhausted and alone.

“At last hunger forced me to rise.”

The Island of Plenty

“I walked inland and discovered that the center of the island was like a carefully tended garden.

“Birds sang among the branches of date palms and fig trees heavy with fruit. Cucumbers grew beside clear pools filled with fish. Grapes, melons, vegetables, and every kind of good food surrounded me.

“Everything appeared cultivated, yet I could find no people.

“I gathered fruit and fish until my arms were full.

“After eating, I remembered that I owed my survival to the gods.

“Using the copper knife at my belt, I cut a branch and fashioned a fire drill. When the flames were burning, I placed part of my meal upon them as an offering.

“As soon as the food began to hiss in the fire, a thunderous sound echoed across the island.

“At first I thought it was the roar of the sea.

“Then the ground shook beneath my feet.

“Trees bent and branches snapped as though a powerful storm were sweeping toward me.

“But it was not a storm.

“It was an enormous serpent.”

The Lord of the Island

“The serpent was more than thirty cubits long. His body glittered with golden scales, and his brows appeared to be inlaid with lapis lazuli.

“He rose above me like a tower.

“I fell upon my stomach and waited to die.

“‘Who brought you here, little one?’ the serpent demanded. ‘Answer me at once, or I shall burn you to ashes.’

“I was too terrified to speak.

“The serpent lifted me gently in his jaws and carried me to his lair.

“He placed me upon the ground without harming me.

“Again he asked, ‘Who brought you here, little one?’

“I kept my face lowered and answered.

“‘I sailed aboard a royal ship with a chosen crew. We were traveling toward the land of the turquoise mines when a storm destroyed our vessel.

“‘All my companions drowned. I alone survived. The waves carried me to this island.’

“The serpent bent his enormous head toward me.

“His voice became gentler.

“‘Do not be afraid, little one. Do not let your face grow pale. You are safe here.

“‘A god has chosen you to live and has brought you to this island of the ka, a place filled with every good thing.

“‘You shall remain here for four months. Then a ship will arrive carrying sailors you know. They will take you safely back to Egypt.’

“I could hardly believe his words.

“Then the serpent sighed, and his golden coils trembled with grief.

“‘I understand what it means to lose everyone you love,’ he said.

“‘Once, seventy-five serpents lived upon this island. They were my brothers, sisters, children, and companions.

“‘Dearest of all was a young daughter whom the gods gave me in answer to my prayers.

“‘One day, a star fell from the heavens.

“‘Fire swept across the island and destroyed my entire family. By chance, I was away when it happened.

“‘When I returned and found their bodies burned together, I wished that I had died beside them.’”

The Sailor’s Promise

“When I heard his story, my fear disappeared.

“I kissed the ground before him.

“‘When I return to Egypt, I shall tell the king of your greatness and generosity.

“‘I shall send you precious oils, incense, spices, and perfumes. I shall sacrifice cattle and birds in your honor, and I shall ask the king to send a ship filled with the finest treasures of Egypt.’

“The serpent’s body shook with laughter.

“‘You possess no wealth, little one, and Egypt is not a land rich in incense and myrrh.

“‘I am the Lord of Punt and master of the myrrh groves. This island already possesses more perfumes, spices, and precious oils than your country could ever send me.

“‘Besides, once you leave this island, you will never find it again. It will vanish beneath the waves.’

“I felt ashamed of my foolish promise.

“Yet the serpent did not mock me cruelly. He treated me with kindness, and I lived safely upon his island for four peaceful months.”

The Ship Appears

“One day I climbed into the branches of a tall tree.

“Far across the sea, I saw a sail upon the horizon.

“As the ship drew nearer, I recognized several members of its crew.

“I scrambled down and ran to tell the serpent.

“But he already knew.

“By his magic, he was drawing the ship toward the island.

“‘Farewell, little one,’ he said. ‘Soon you will see your family again.

“‘Remember me kindly. That is all I ask.’

“Then the serpent gave me a magnificent cargo.

“There were bundles of myrrh, precious oils, spices, perfumes, incense, elephant tusks, giraffe tails, hunting dogs, monkeys, and many other treasures.

“I kissed the ground before him.

“‘Within two months, you will reach Egypt,’ he promised. ‘You shall embrace your family and prosper for the remainder of your life.’

“I went down to the shore and called to the approaching sailors.

“They welcomed me with astonishment and joy.

“Together we praised the lord of the island.

“The crew helped carry the precious cargo aboard, and we sailed directly back to Egypt.”

The Sailor Returns to Egypt

“When we reached the royal palace, I presented the cargo to the king.

“He marveled at the myrrh, incense, ivory, animals, and every other treasure from the mysterious island.

“When I told him the story of the golden serpent, he praised the gods for preserving my life.

“The king rewarded me richly.

“He appointed me as one of his officials and gave me land, servants, and wealth.

“That is how a poor sailor who had lost his ship and every companion returned home more successful than he had ever dreamed.”

The official finished his story and looked at the commander.

“So do not despair.

“We cannot know when bad fortune will change or what gifts the gods may bring us. Speak wisely before the king, and perhaps this failure will not destroy you.”

The commander listened, but he remained troubled.

“A man may comfort someone who possesses water,” he said, “but what good is it to give a bird water just before it is killed?”

The ship continued north toward the royal court.

The surviving papyrus ends without revealing what happened when the commander stood before the king.

Yet the sailor’s message remains clear.

Misfortune may come without warning. A person may lose everything and believe all hope is gone, only to discover that the gods have prepared an unexpected path home.