The compass,
by Leonor Henríquez

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I have lost mine for a long time.

I am a ship adrift.

But the compass came up because it came as part of an “adventure kit” I gave to my grandchildren.

A backpack that contained a butterfly net, a magnifying glass, a pair of tweezers to catch insects and a compass.

Of course, the question was not long in coming.

– And what is this? – the children asked in unison.

–  A compass – I told them – it is used to avoid getting lost when you go on an excursion.

I don’t think my answer satisfied them and neither did I, so I immediately went to investigate its origins and mechanism.

My research turned out to be quite interesting.

The word compass comes from the Italian bussola (small box). It is an instrument consisting of a box inside which a magnetized needle rotates on an axis and points to magnetic North.

This device was invented by the Chinese in the 1st century, and then brought to Europe by the Arabs in the 12th century. It is attributed to Flavio Gioia (1250-1300), Italian inventor and navigator, who perfectioned it, which marked a new era in the history of navigation.

Anyway, interesting facts.

I resumed the conversation with my grandchildren to explain everything I had learned, but of course, they were already on to something else.

I was amazed, looking at the little needle of the compass of the “Adventure kit” which moved hesitantly until it found North with all determination. I took it as a metaphor for life.

Then my grandchildren, changing the subject exclaimed:

– Nana, let’s put up the Halloween decorations.

October is already all about Halloween, so I agreed and proceeded to take out my decoration: a broom that I place every year on the threshold of my door which indicates that the witch is at home. Plus, the cobwebs that I keep all year long.

Kids looked at me skeptically.

-“Is this all the decoration?

-Yes – I said.

I will resume the compass conversation later.

In the meantime, I laughed.

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