Старик и море

           Theywerenearlyaslongasthefingersoftheoldmanandtheyhadrazor-sharpcuttingedgesonbothsides. Thiswasafishbuilttofeedonallthefishesinthesea, thatweresofastandstrong andwellarmedthattheyhadnootherenemy. Nowhespeededupashesmelledthefresherscentandhisbluedorsalfincutthewater. 

           Whentheoldmansawhimcomingheknewthatthiswasasharkthathadnofearatallandwoulddoexactlywhathewished. Hepreparedtheharpoonandmadetheropefastwhilehewatchedthesharkcomeon. Theropewasshortasitlackedwhathehadcutawaytolashthefish. 

           Theoldman’sheadwasclearandgoodnowandhewasfullofresolutionbuthehadlittlehope. Itwastoogoodtolast,hethought. Hetookonelookatthegreatfishashewatchedthesharkclosein. Itmightaswellhavebeenadream,hethought. IcannotkeephimfromhittingmebutmaybeIcangethim. Dentuso,hethought.Badlucktoyourmother. 

           Thesharkclosedfastasternandwhenhehitthefish theoldmansawhismouthopenandhisstrangeeyes andtheclickingchopoftheteethashedroveforwardinthemeatjustabovethetail. Theshark’sheadwasoutofwaterandhisbackwascomingout andtheoldmancouldhearthenoiseofskinandfleshrippingonthebigfish whenherammedtheharpoondownontotheshark’sheadataspotwherethelinebetweenhiseyes intersectedwiththelinethatranstraightbackfromhisnose. Therewerenosuchlines. Therewasonlytheheavysharpblueheadandthebigeyesandtheclicking,thrustingall-swallowingjaws.