Старик и море

           Imustthinkofnothingandwaitforthenextones. Iwishithadreallybeenadream,hethought. Butwhoknows?Itmighthaveturnedoutwell. 

           Thenextsharkthatcamewasasingleshovel-nose. Hecamelikeapigtothetroughifapighadamouthsowidethatyoucouldputyourheadinit. Theoldmanlethimhitthefishandthendrovetheknifeontheoardownintohisbrain. Butthesharkjerkedbackwardsasherolledandtheknifebladesnapped. 

           Theoldmansettledhimselftosteer. Hedidnotevenwatchthebigsharksinkingslowlyinthewater,showingfirstlife-size,thensmall,thentiny. Thatalwaysfascinatedtheoldman. Buthedidnotevenwatchitnow. 

           "Ihavethegaffnow,"hesaid. "Butitwilldonogood. Ihavethetwooarsandthetillerandtheshortclub." 

           Nowtheyhavebeatenme,hethought. Iamtoooldtoclubsharkstodeath. ButIwilltryitaslongasIhavetheoarsandtheshortclubandthetiller. 

           Heputhishandsinthewateragaintosoakthem. Itwasgettinglateintheafternoonandhesawnothingbuttheseaandthesky. Therewasmorewindintheskythantherehadbeen,andsoonhehopedthathewouldseeland. 

           "You’retired,oldman,"hesaid."You’retiredinside." 

           Thesharksdidnothithimagainuntiljustbeforesunset. 

           Theoldmansawthebrownfinscomingalongthewidetrailthefishmustmakeinthewater. Theywerenotevenquarteringonthescent. Theywereheadedstraightfortheskiffswimmingsidebyside. 

           Hejammedthetiller,madethesheetfastandreachedunderthesternfortheclub.