Старик и море

           Thehawks,hethought,thatcomeouttoseatomeetthem. Buthesaidnothingofthistothebirdwhocouldnotunderstandhimanyway andwhowouldlearnaboutthehawkssoonenough. 

           "Takeagoodrest,smallbird,"hesaid. "Thengoinandtakeyourchancelikeanymanorbirdorfish." 

           Itencouragedhimtotalkbecausehisbackhadstiffenedinthenightandithurttrulynow. 

           "Stayatmyhouseifyoulike,bird,"hesaid. "IamsorryIcannothoistthesailandtakeyouinwiththesmallbreezethatisrising. ButIamwithafriend." 

           Justthenthefishgaveasuddenlurchthatpulledtheoldmandownontothebow andwouldhavepulledhimoverboardifhehadnotbracedhimselfandgivensomeline. 

           Thebirdhadflownupwhenthelinejerkedandtheoldmanhadnotevenseenhimgo. Hefeltthelinecarefullywithhisrighthandandnoticedhishandwasbleeding. 

           "Somethinghurthimthen,"hesaidaloudandpulledbackonthelinetoseeifhecouldturnthefish. Butwhenhewastouchingthebreakingpointheheldsteadyandsettledbackagainstthestrainoftheline. 

           "You’refeelingitnow,fish,"hesaid."Andso,Godknows,amI." 

           Helookedaroundforthebirdnowbecausehewouldhavelikedhimforcompany. Thebirdwasgone. 

           Youdidnotstaylong,themanthought. Butitisrougherwhereyouaregoinguntilyoumaketheshore. HowdidIletthefishcutmewiththatonequickpullhemade? Imustbegettingverystupid. OrperhapsIwaslookingatthesmallbirdandthinkingofhim. NowIwillpayattentiontomyworkandthenImusteatthetunasothatIwillnothaveafailureofstrength.