Старик и море

           Helethishanddryintheairthengraspedthelinewithitandeasedhimselfasmuchashecould andallowedhimselftobepulledforwardagainstthewoodsothattheboattookthestrainasmuch,ormore,thanhedid. 

           I’mlearninghowtodoit,hethought. Thispartofitanyway. Thentoo,rememberhehasn’teatensincehetookthebaitandheishugeandneedsmuchfood. Ihaveeatenthewholebonito.TomorrowIwilleatthedolphin. Hecalleditdorado. PerhapsIshouldeatsomeofitwhenIcleanit. Itwillbehardertoeatthanthebonito. But,then,nothingiseasy. 

           "Howdoyoufeel,fish?"heaskedaloud. "Ifeelgood andmylefthandisbetterandIhavefoodforanightandaday. Pulltheboat,fish." 

           Hedidnottrulyfeelgoodbecausethepainfromthecordacrosshisbackhadalmostpassedpain andgoneintoadullnessthathemistrusted. ButIhavehadworsethingsthanthat,hethought. Myhandisonlycutalittleandthecrampisgonefromtheother. Mylegsareallright. AlsonowIhavegainedonhiminthequestionofsustenance. 

           ItwasdarknowasitbecomesdarkquicklyafterthesunsetsinSeptember. Helayagainstthewornwoodofthebowandrestedallthathecould. Thefirststarswereout. HedidnotknowthenameofRigelbuthesawitandknewsoontheywouldallbeout andhewouldhaveallhisdistantfriends. 

           "Thefishismyfriendtoo,"hesaidaloud. "Ihaveneverseenorheardofsuchafish. ButImustkillhim. Iamgladwedonothavetotrytokillthestars."