Старик и море

           Theturtlessawthem,approachedthemfromthefront,thenshuttheireyessotheywerecompletelycarapacedandatethemfilamentsandall. Theoldmanlovedtoseetheturtleseatthem andhelovedtowalkonthemonthebeachafterastormandhearthempopwhenhesteppedonthemwiththehornysolesofhisfeet. 

           Helovedgreenturtlesandhawks-billswiththeireleganceandspeedandtheirgreatvalueandhehadafriendlycontemptforthehuge, stupidloggerheads,yellowintheirarmour-plating,strangeintheirlove-making, andhappilyeatingthePortuguesemen-of-warwiththeireyesshut. 

           Hehadnomysticismaboutturtlesalthoughhehadgoneinturtleboatsformanyyears. Hewassorryforthemall,eventhegreattrunkbacksthatwereaslongastheskiffandweighedaton. Mostpeopleareheartlessaboutturtlesbecauseaturtle’sheartwillbeatforhoursafterhehasbeencutupandbutchered. Buttheoldmanthought,Ihavesuchahearttooandmyfeetandhandsareliketheirs. Heatethewhiteeggstogivehimselfstrength. HeatethemallthroughMaytobestronginSeptemberandOctoberforthetrulybigfish. 

           Healsodrankacupofsharkliveroileachdayfromthebigdrumintheshackwheremanyofthefishermenkepttheirgear. Itwasthereforallfishermenwhowantedit.Mostfishermenhatedthetaste. Butitwasnoworsethangettingupatthehoursthattheyrose anditwasverygoodagainstallcoldsandgrippesanditwasgoodfortheeyes. 

           Nowtheoldmanlookedupandsawthatthebirdwascirclingagain. 

           "He’sfoundfish,"hesaidaloud.