Старик и море

           Theboxwiththebaitswasunderthesternoftheskiffalongwiththeclubthatwasusedtosubduethebigfishwhentheywerebroughtalongside. Noonewouldstealfromtheoldmanbutitwasbettertotakethesailandtheheavylineshomeasthedewwasbadforthem and,thoughhewasquitesurenolocalpeoplewouldstealfromhim,theoldmanthoughtthatagaffandaharpoonwereneedlesstemptationstoleaveinaboat. 

           Theywalkeduptheroadtogethertotheoldman’sshackandwentinthroughitsopendoor. Theoldmanleanedthemastwithitswrappedsailagainstthewallandtheboyputtheboxandtheothergearbesideit. Themastwasnearlyaslongastheoneroomoftheshack.Theshackwasmadeofthetoughbud-shieldsoftheroyalpalmwhicharecalledguanoandinittherewasabed,atable,onechair,andaplaceonthedirtfloortocookwithcharcoal. Onthebrownwallsoftheflattened,overlappingleavesofthesturdyfiberedguanotherewasapictureincoloroftheSacredHeartofJesusandanotheroftheVirginofCobre. Thesewererelicsofhiswife. Oncetherehadbeenatintedphotographofhiswifeonthewallbuthehadtakenitdownbecauseitmadehimtoolonelytoseeitanditwasontheshelfinthecornerunderhiscleanshirt. 

           "Whatdoyouhavetoeat?"theboyasked. 

           "Apotofyellowricewithfish.Doyouwantsome?" 

           "No.Iwilleatathome.Doyouwantmetomakethefire?" 

           "No.Iwillmakeitlateron.OrImayeatthericecold." 

           "MayItakethecastnet?" 

           "Ofcourse."