THE YOUNGBOY AND THESEA
Subt i t l edTheYoungBoyandt heSea. ASequelt oEr nestHemi ngway' s TheOl dManAndTheSea
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TheYoungManandTheSea
THE YOUNGMAN AND THESEA Subt i t l edTheYoungBoyandt heSea. Asequelt oEr nestHemi ngway' s TheOl dManAndTheSea
I keor haDel e
i i
TheYoungManandTheSea ©2015byDel eI keor ha ©2016Baki nNi ger i aLi mi t ed Al lr i ght sr eser ved.Thi sbookoranypor t i ont her eof maynotber epr oducedorusedi nanymannerwhat soever wi t houtt heexpr esswr i t t enper mi ssi onoft hepubl i sher exceptf ort heuseofbr i efquot at i onsi nabookr evi ew. Fi r stPr i nt i ng, 2016 I SBN9783521233
Publ i shedBy Baki nNi ger i aLi mi t ed 215Ademol aAdet okunboCr escent , Val l eyMal lA2225, WuseI I , Abuj a, 900288Ni ger i a +2348051111669
Pr i nt edi nNi ger i aby Net wor kPr ess Typeseti n11pt .Geor gi a
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TheYoungManandTheSea
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TheYoungManandt heSea ByDel eI keor ha
Theyoungmansatbesi det heski f f , t ear sst r eami ngdownhi s bl ushedcheeks.Hewasyoung.Ever yt hi ngabouthi m wasyoung. Hest ar edatt heboat .Thi swast hever yboatonwhi chhe st ar t edhi st r ai ni ngasf i sher manwhenhewasf i ve.Hi sf at hert ook hi mt ot heol dman.Thenhewasnotasol dashei snow. Onhi sf i r stf i shi ngt r i p,hewasf i ve.Hewasnear l yki l l ed.The ol dmanbr oughti nt hef i sht oogr een, andhenear l yt or et heboatt o pi eces,vi gor ousl yf l appi ng,bangi ng and sl appi ng i t st ai l .I tal l camebackt ohi m now.Theol dmanhadhaul edhi mi nt ot hebow wher et hecoi l edl i neswer east hef i shsur gedt oat t acki ni t sbat t l e t or egai ni t sf r eedom.Hef el tt hepai nt hathi thi m ashef el l .How he wat ched t he ol d man si l ence t he f i sh’ s exuber ance wi t h cl ubbi ngt oi t sheadasi fhewaschoppi ngdownat r ee.Thebackof hi sheadachedasher ecal l edt heor dealsovi vi dl y.Ever yt hi ngf r om whent heyf i r stwentt oget her .I twasal lcomi ngbackt ohi m now. Bl oodsmel landsmearwasal lovert heboat ,ast heol dman wi t ht hehar poonsmashedt heheadoft hef i shr epeat edl yandwi t h ur gencyasi ft hei rl i vesdependedoni t .Andt r ul yi tdependedoni t ast heywer ei ndangerofbei ngsubmer gedi ft hecombatwentany bi tl onger .Ther ewasbl oodal lovert heboat .Thebl oodsmel lal l overhi m was sweet .I twas an exci t i ng advent ur e,a f r i ght f ul exper i ence.Hel ear ntt hatl i f ewasf ul lofdanger ,ofst r uggl es;t hat amanmustf acet hesest r uggl esanddanger swi t hcour ageand wi n.Theol dmant aughthi m“ cour age” .“ Af i sher manmusthave r esol ut i on. ”hehadsai d. Thatwast enyear sago,wheni tseemedhi sl i f ewasj i nxed. Theysai dhewast ot al l y“ gaf eo” . Hel ookedar oundt heski f ff r om hi ssi t t i ngposi t i on.Al lar ound i tbor eobvi ousmar ksofast r uggl e;ast r uggl ewhi chnooneal i ve coul dt el lexceptSant i ago;f ort hatwast heol dman’ sname. Thewhi t enakedl i neoft hebackboneofagi antf i shwhose
TheYoungManandTheSea
gr eatt ai lst oodupwel lbehi ndt heski f f ’ sst er n,poi nt edi t st ai l upwar ds.I tsur el ymusthaveast or yt oi t .Thedar kmassoft he f i sh’ shead, t hepr oj ect i ngbi l landal lt henakednessbet ween, wer e el oquentt est i monyt hatt heol dmanmusthavegonet hr oughan or deal .To r et ur n wi t h somet hi ng t hatwas not hi ng was r eal l y chal l engi ng.ButSant i agowasback.Sl eepi ng,butal i ve.Thatwas al lt hatmat t er s.I twoul dhavebeent r agi ci fanyt hi nghadhappened t ot heSant i ago,f ormanyhavebeenl ostatsea,manyhavebeen at t ackedbyschoolofshar ks, andsomedi dnotl i vet or ecountt hei r or deal .ButSant i agohadonl ybr ui sesonhi sol dhands.Butt hey wer eol dbr ui sest hathar dl ybl ed.Hewi l ll i ve. Theyoungman’ smi ndwander edt ot heevent sofhi sf i r stday atsea.Hecoul dhearhervoi cecl ear l ynow. “ Whatar eyoudoi ngher eManol i n? ”I tsai d,f ort hatwast he youngboy’ sname. Atf i r st , hewast ooper pl exedt or espond.I fhehadnothear di t hi msel f ,hewoul dhaveswor nt hati twasnott her oar i ngoft he wavest hatspokesodi st i nct l y,buthi sownconsci ence:hi sown sel fconj ur i ngi magesandvoi ces.Buthehear dher .I twast he voi ceofawoman.Thevoi ceoft hesea. “ Whatar eyoudoi ngher e, youngboy”shespokeagai n. Hewast oosur pr i sedt or espond.Andmaki ngaconver sat i on wi t ht hesea,henevert houghsuchat hi ngpossi bl e.Butont hi s mai denvoyage,Sant i ago,t heol dmanwasal waysspeaki ngt o hi msel fhet houghtatf i r st , buthewasal waysaddr essi ng‘ l emar ’ . Butt heyoungmanneverwant edt ospeakt ot heseat hen, even t houghhehadwi shedi tmanyt i mes;t oaskherwhyshewascal m andcr uel ,gent l eandghast l y;happyandheavy;l ovi ngl ycar r yi nga boatmer r i l yasi tr owsupont hewat er si nacal m andwear yday. Andequal l yi namoment ,wi pi ngupf ur yt hathasover t ur nedt hem andsomet i mesdr ownedmanywhent her ewasnotanyt or escue. Hewi shedt oheart hevoi ceagai n,butt her ewassi l ence.She wasgone, exceptt hewat er sorwhatr emai nedofher , whi chf l owed cal ml y. The boatwas a mess.The br oken base oft he headl ess har poonandt hemakeshi f tbandl aymangl edandbl oodi edont he
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Del eI keor ha:TheYoungManandt heSea
f l oor .The young boy t r i ed t or econst r ucti n hi s mi nd what t r anspi r edont heol dman’ sl astf i shi ngexpedi t i on.Hehadbeen wi t hhi mf ort enyear ssi ncehewasf i veandnow;hehadseeni n suchal ongt i mewhatmanyf i sher menseei nal i f et i me. “ Whydi dInotf ol l ow hi m onhi sl astt r i p” ?Heaskedhi msel f wi t hdi st r aughtandsel f r epr oach.Hewasonl yobeyi nghi sf at her whot ookhi mt oanot herboataf t ert heyhadcaughtnot hi ngaf t er Hehadnol uckatal l .Atf i vehi sl i f ewasal r eadyatcr ossr oads; hi spar ent swer esor i cht heycoul dnotaf f or dt osendhi mt o school .Thei rhomewasahousesor oyal ,hi sbedwasabedof newspaper s.Andt hr ought hesl i t si nt hewoodf r om whi chi twas bui l t ,sunshi ne and moonshi ne,and even i nsect s peep athi m wheneverhewasasl eep. Hesmi l ed;“ ki ngi nashack”waswhatRosannecal l edhi m.She washi sf r i endandshemeanti ti naf r i endl yway.I twasnotan i nsul t .Shedi dnotl aughathi m whenshesai di t .Sher eal l ymeant t heki ngpar t .Heunder st oodwhatshemeant .Thoughhel i vedi na shack,hehadt hedi gni t y,t hemaj est y,t hedest i nyandgr aceofa ki ng.Hebel i evedher . Hewi shedhehadbeenwi t ht heol dman.Theboyhadbeen wi t ht heol dman.Butaf t erf or t ydayswi t houtaf i sh,hi spar ent s t ol dhi mt heol dmanwasnowdef i ni t el yandf i nal l y‘ sal ao’ whi chi s t hewor stf or m ofunl ucky, andont hei ror der shadgonet oanot her boat :al uckyboathi sf at herhadsai d.Theycaughtt hr eegoodf i sh t hef i r stweek. Butwi t ht heol dmant hi ngswer edi f f er ent .Theol dmanhad manyt r i cks, andhel ovedhi m. Her emember edhi sf i r stdayatsea.Bef or et hegr eat“ l emar ” hewasagr ai nofsand.Ther ewasnoendt ot hemaj est yoft he wat er s, evenast hesundi ppedasi tpr et endedt or ecl i nei t sheadt o ki ssherl i ps. He was r emember i ng ever yt hi ng now.How he soughtout sar di nesf oruseasbai tf ort hei rf i shi ngt r i ps.How t heywoul d r et ur nf r om eacht r i pandeachcat chwi t hl ot soff i sh;butwhat f asci nat edhi m muchmor e, wer et hebi gf i shes:t hedol phi nandt he shar ks,t hei rr het or i calschooloff i shesandt hel onebi r dswhi ch
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TheYoungManandTheSea
t heol dmanusedashi snavi gat i ngcompass;ashi si ndi cat ort hat abi gf i shwasdownt her esomewher e. Thatwasmanyyear sago.Tenyear st obepr eci se.Now he wasayoungman.Theol dmansai dsoni net ydaysagowhenhe boughthi m abot t l eofbeeratt heTer r ace. Hel ookedacr ossatt hef i sher men,someol d,someyoung, somei nbet ween,nei t heryoungnorol d,aboutt went yoft hem. Theysatatt heTer r acemaki ngf unoft heol dman. Hehadcaught not hi ngf orei ght yf i vedaysandwhenheevent ual l ycaughtt he bi ggestf i sh ever ,t he shar ks at ei t .Bef or et hen,t he boywas r ecal l edbyhi sf at heraf t ert hef i r stf or t ydaysatseawentwi t houta cat ch. Hel ookedatt hef i sher menatt heTer r ace.Theysatdown gossi pi ng.Theol dmani snowdef i ni t el y“ sal ao”t heysai d.Hehad t hewor stf or m ofi l ll uck.Thatwaswhyt heboy’ sf at hersenthi mt o anot herboat . Hel ookedagai natt hef acesofsomeol df i sher menont he Ter r ace, l ooki ngdownatt hewat eramongt heempt ybeercansand deadbar r acudas.Pedr i cohadal r eadyst r i ppedt hehuget ai lbar e andt hebackboneoft hegr eatf i sh;api eceofr el i cwai t i ngf orhi gh t i det osympat het i cal l yf l ushheri nt ot hesea. I st hi swhatamani supagai nst ?Canamaneverwi n?Hewas f i f t eennow andaman,andmustgai nmor eexper i ence.“ Theol d manhadr esol ut i onandexper i ence”t heboyt hought . Hest oodup;wal kedupt her oadt ot heol dman’ sshack.He wasst i l lsl eepi ng.Thi swast het hi r dday.Hewasast r angeol d man,buthel ovedhi m.Theol dmanwasseawi se.Heknew t he t r i cksoft hesea.Heknew manyt r i cks:How t of i sh,how t osai la boat ;howt ot easet heseaandr i det hewaves;andt heyhadmade moneyt oget herbef or e.Hegavemeameasur eoff r eedom or r at heral otofi t .Butwi t hf r eedom comesr esponsi bi l i t yandwi t h r esponsi bi l i t ycomesal otofsl aver i es.Andr esponsi bi l i t yr est s bet t eron some shoul der st han on ot her s.ButIcoul d car r y r esponsi bi l i t ywel l ,onet hatf r eedom mayi mposeori t ssl aver i es cont r i ve.Hi smi ndwander i ngt ophi l osophyandsager y, awayf r om t hesavager ywhi chhecoul donl yi magi nef r om t hecar cassoft he
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Del eI keor ha:TheYoungManandt heSea
f i sh;t hei mager yofman” st oi landbat t l eagai nstt heel ement s, f or ces. Theyoungboysatbesi det heol dman.Hi shear tf ul lofwor r y becauseoft heol dmanhi sf r i end;whohadsl eptt wof ul ldaysona cupofcof f ee?Hehasnotbeenabl et oeatt hef l yi ngf i shand bananahehadr oast edyest er day.Theywer est i l lont hef l oornow. PoorSant i ago,hewasbr eat hi ngheavi l y,hi ssnor i ngl ouder t hem ever . “ He musthave been weakened by t he or deal ”he sai dt o hi msel f . Pedr i cocal l ed1 andt heol dmanwasnotevenabl et ost eerat f i r stwhenhet r i edt owakehi m up. Butwhenheevent ual l ywoke, hel ookedcal ml yatbot h Manol i n,f ort hatwast heyoungboy’ s nameandPedr i co.Thensi l ent l yandasqui ckashewoke,f el l asl eepagai n.Thatwasyest er dayaf t er noon. Theyoungboywat chedt heol dmanst eeragai nasher oused hi m,cr umpl i ngashedi dso,t henewspaperspr eadont hespr i ng bed t hathadbeenhi sbed. Theshackwasbar e, madeupoft oughbud-shi el dsoft her oyal pal m -t he“ guano” ;wi t habed,at abl e,onechai randchar coalon t hebar ef l oorf orcooki ng.Theguanohadhungoni t sbr ownwal l s andover l appi ngl eaves,acol our f ulpi ct ur eoft hesecr ethear tof Jesusandanot heroft heVi r gi nofCobr e.Theol dmanst eer edas het r i edt ogetup. “ Manol i n”hesur pr i si ngl ysai dwi t hexci t ementmi ngl edwi t h concer n. “ Don’ tsi tup, ”t heboysai d. ”“ Youneedal lt hest r engt hyou canget . ” “ Nevermi ndManol i n, ”sai dt heol dman.“ Myheadi scl ear now. ” “ Iwaswor r i ed, ”t heboysai d. “ Iknowyouwoul dbe, ”t heol dmansai d.“ Butmyheadi scl ear now.I thasal waysbeencl ear .Thought hatbl oodyf i shwant edt o 1
vi si t ed
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TheYoungManandTheSea
dr i vemecr azy.Mysl eepwasal labouti t ;t hewr est l i ngbet weena man, t heseaandt hemonst er ”hebl ur t ed. Hewasal waysgi vent oaxi oms.I twei ghedwel lwi t hhi sage. Theol dar eexpect edt obewi ser , event hought heymaynotal ways bet ot heeyesoft hemoder nt echi e.Butt heol dmanwasseawi se. “ Don’ twor r yaboutt hepast , ”t heboysai d.“ West i l lhavet oday andt omor r owt of ace.West i l lhaveal i f eandal i f et i me!I st hatnot whatyoual wayssay?“ Sodon’ twor r yaboutt hepast ,t hat ’ swhat youof t ensay. ” “ Myf at heral wayst ol dmet hat .Ibeti t ’ smyhabi t ;orper hapsi t i st hehabi tofol dage, ”sai dt heol dmanashesatup. ” Hel ookedar oundt her oom andsawt hecupofcof f ee. “ Iam sohungr ynow, ”t heol dmansai d. “ Ibr oughtyouhotcof f eei nt hemor ni ng, buti t ’ scol dnow. ” “ Iwasexhaust edwhenIcamebackt ot heshack. ” “ Di dyouseet heboat ? ” “ Ihave, andi t ’ snowascl eanast hemor ni ngsea, r eadyt osai l . ” “ Howl onghaveIsl ept ? ” “ Thr eedays. ” “ Thr eedays? ” “ Youmademewor r y.Al lofuswer ewor r i ed. ” “ Iam hungr ynow.Icanmakedowi t ht hatcupofcof f eef ora st ar t , ”t heol dmansai d. “ Nevermi ndt hecof f ee.I ti scol dnow.ButIhaveaf eastf or you.Butyou’ vesl eptt hr eet i r esomedays. ” “ AndImi ssedt hel eague.Di dDi Maggi owi n? ” “ Iwi l lt el lyouaboutt hatl at er .Butf i r st , youhavet oeat . ” “ Butwhati st her et oeat ? ”Theol dmanasked.Theyhadal ways pl ayedt hef oodgamewhent her ewasnof oodt oeat .Theycoul d t al kaboutnonexi st edf ood,asi fi twast her e.I tcoul dbeonet hat evenki ngswoul dbepr oudof .Mostt i mes,i twasaboutapotof yel l ow r i cewi t hf i sh.Butt hi st i met her ewasmuchf r om bot h Pedr i coandRosanna. “ Pl ent y, Sant i ago.Pl ent yenoughf oraf east , ”sai dt heboy.
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Del eI keor ha:TheYoungManandt heSea
“ Af east ? ”t heol dmanexcl ai med, doubt f ul l yl ooki ngatt heboy beami ngwi t hsmi l ef ul lofmocki ngmi schi ef . Hewasusedt ot hei rf i ct i onalt al kaboutf oodandnet s,whi ch hehadsol dl ongago.Yett heyst i l lwentt hr ought hechar ade.I t wasoneoft hoset hi ngshel ovedaboutt heboy.Somuchwar mt h, undyi ngt enaci t y;somuchuncommonf ai t h, i r r esi st i bl er esol veand i nf ect i ousopt i mi sm.Whent hewor l dwasar oundhi m,hecoul d dat eanyt hi ng. “ Sower eal l yhaveaf east ? ” “ Yes,Sant i ago.Af eastf i tf orhundr ed.Pedr i cobr oughtbl ack beansandr i ce,f r i edbananas,somest ew andahundr edvi si t or s andadmi r er s. ” “ Imustt hankhi m, ”t heol dmansai d.“ Hehasbeent hought f ul . ” “ Ther ei sal soanot herf ourbot t l esofbeerMar t i nsent , ”sai dt he boy. “ Ihopeyousentt ohi mt hebel l ymeatoft hebi gf i shIpr omi sed hi m? ”t heol dmanaskedwi t hl ear nedhumi l i t y. Heknewt her ewasnobel l yoft hef i shi twaspur ef i ct i on.The at t ackoft heschoolofshar ksmadesur eofi t .Theyhadst r i pped whatwasl ef tofhi scat chandhehadl ef tt hem t obi t ewhatt hey coul daf t erhehadgi vent hem abl oodynose. “ YesSant i ago.Theshar ksdepr i vedhi m ofhi sr at i onanyway, ” t heboysai dandsmi l ed. “ Iwi l lgi vei tt ohi m whenwef i shagai n, ”t heol dmansai d. “ Iwashopi ngso, ”t heboysai d.“ Wecancat chanot herbi gf i sh, andt henyoucangi vehi mt hebel l ymeatandkeepyourpr omi se. Goodmenshoul dal wayskeept hei rpr omi ses. ” Theol dmanl ookedatt heboy,hi smi ndt aki ngat ur nashi s t hought sr el i ved t het or t uoust i meshehad spenti nt hegr eat st r uggl ehehadwi t ht hegr eatf i sh.Hedespai r ed. “ Myl uckhasexhaust ed, Manol i n.Ihaveusedi tupwhenIwas young. ”t heol dmansai d;sel f doubtcr eepi ngi n.“ Iam sal ao. ” “ Youcannotbe.Don’ tl ett hatbot heryou, Sant i ago. ” “ Ihavel osti tManol i n, ”Il ett hem t akemyf i sh.Myl ucki s f i nal l ygone. ”
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TheYoungManandTheSea
“ Thenweshal lf i ndi t , andbr i ngi tback. ” Thatwaswhathel ovedaboutt heboy.Hehadf ai t hi nhi m.He bel i evedi nhi m.Hel ookeduponhi m asi fhewasCast r oi nHavana. “ Icannotgi veupnow.Idi dnotgi veupagai nstt hedent usos. Butt heywer et oomany.Theywoul dhaver ockedt heboat .ButI f oughtback.Ibr oke t hei rbl oody heads.When nextt hey see Sant i ago, t heyshoul dl eavemyf i shal one! ” “ Youar ebacknow, Sant i ago” , t heboysai datt heol dmanwho washol di nghi sgl assandt hi nki ngofmanyyear sago. Theboysmi l edashel ookedatt heol dman,admi r at i onmi xed wi t hador at i onwr i t t enal loverhi sf ace.Hehadwi shedhewashi s f at her , buthi sf at herwasagoodman. “ Yourl uckwi l lhol d.I twi l lt r i umphagai nstt heodds.I tal ways does.Ihavebeenwi t hyouf ort enyear snowandIam wi serf ori t , ” t heboysai d. ” “ Myl uckwi l lhol d? ” “ I twi l l ,Sant i ago.Youwor khar dandi twi l levent ual l ycome. Har dwor ki st hebr ot herofl uckandf or t uneyouuset osay. ”So dr i nkyourcof f ee.Eat .Yourl uckwi l lpr evai l .Iknowyoust i l lhavei t apl ent y. ” “ Idoubti fIhavenott r ul yl osti tast heysay.Ihadi tasayoung manl i keyou.Per haps, i thasdeser t edmei nmyol dage” “ Donotsaysuchat hi ng,Sant i ago.Wewi l lwor khar derand l uckwi l lr et ur n.Andi fyouhavel osti t , Iwi l lbr i ngbackt hel uck. ” “ Youar eyoungandst r ong.Donotwast ei twi t hme. ” “ Yes.Atl eastIam youngandyouhaveexper i ence.Imust l ear n.Youhavel uck;l ot sofl uck. ” “ Butyouar ewi t hanot herboat ? “ Notanyl onger , Sant i ago;notanymor e. ” “ Andwhy? ” “ Henevergoesf ari nt osea,exceptIl ur ehi m wi t ht r i cksyou showed me.And even i nt he shal l ow wat er s wher e we f i sh, somet i meswemi ssourwayhome;andIhadt ot r i ckhi m sot hat wewon’ tbel ost . ”
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Del eI keor ha:TheYoungManandt heSea
“ Youdi d? ” “ Idi d, ”sai dt heboy.“ Ihadt ot r i ckhi mt omai nt ai nhi spr i deas aman.Theywoul dhavel aughedathi m,t heot herf i sher men,i fi t becameknownt hathewasl ostandcoul dnotf i ndhi swayhome. ” “ Thest ewi sexcel l entandt her i cet oo.Youmustt hankPedr i co f orme, ”t heol dmansai dasat ewi t hr el i sh. “ Rosannebr oughtt hatonet hi smor ni ng. ” “ Yourgi r l .Youl i keher ? ” “ It hi nkso. ” “ Thenyouwi l lmar r yher ? ” “ Mar r y? ”t heboybl ur t edout .“ Iam f arf r om t hat ,Sant i ago.I mustmar r y my f i shi ng f i r st .Bad f i sher men st ar ve and t hei r f ami l i es. ” “ Youwi l lnotst ar ve. ” “ Youwi l lmakeagoodf i sher manoneday, ”t heol dmansai d. ” Idon’ twantt obeagoodf i sher man,Sant i ago.Iwantt obea gr eatonel i keyou;acommanderoft hesea.Iwantt obei nt heSea, whatDi Maggi oi si nhi sgames. ” “ Youwi l lbe. ”Sai dt heol dman.“ Iknowyou.Doyour emember t hedayIl ef tyout ol eadt heboat ? “ Yes. ” “ Youwer et ent hen.Youcaughtt hr ee. ” “ Ihadl ear ntt het r i ckoft heci r cl i ngbi r ds.Theypoi nt edmet o t hem.Yout aughtmet hat .Sant i ago. ” “ Youhadbeenwi t hmet henf orf i veyear s. ” “ AndIcanr ememberwhenwet ookt hem andhadi tbut cher ed andt akenont hepl ankst ot hef i shhouse.Themoneyyougave me.Weusedi ti nt hehousef ort woweeks. ” Hewat chedast heol dmanat ef r om t hepotofyel l owr i cewi t h f i sh.Hehadeat enathome. “ Won’ tyoueat ? ” “ No.Iat eathome. ” Theysati nsi l ence,eachonel osti nt hought ;i nmemor i esof t hei rf i shi ngt r i pst oget heral lt heseyear s.Somegr eatandsome
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TheYoungManandTheSea
notsogr eat .Butt hel astni net ydayshadbeent r aumat i c.Theyhad caughtnot hi ngt oget herandhehadt ol eavebecausehi spar ent s or der edhi mt oanot herboat . “ Iam neverl eavi ngyouagai n, ”t heyoungmansai d.“ Iam not goi ngback. ”Hewasr esol ved.Buti twasar esol vewi t hat i ngeof angui sh. “ Ishoul dneverhadl ef t .Youwer eal lal one. ” “ Iwas, andImi ssedyousomuchIhadt ot al kt omysel fsot hat Iwoul dnotf al lasl eeporf al li nt ot hesea. ” “ Pl ease,Sant i ago,t akemeback.Ihavenot hi ngt ol ear nf r om myot herboatnow.Theyhaveabet t erboatbutwor seheads.They havenoambi t i on,onl yf i shi ngt oear nal i vi ng.Theydonotl ovel e mar .Shewasj ustapoul t r yt hatf eedst hem.And. . . ”hi svoi ce t r ai l ed. “ Whati si tManol i n? ” “ Youmustt akemeback.Iam nothappyt her e.Iwi l lt el lmy par ent s. ” “ ButIhavenot hi ng,Manol i n.Thehar pooni sgone;t hekni f e head, t her eel s. ” “ Donotsendmeaway,Don’ tsendmeaway.Iwi l lgetmoney f r om Rosanneandwecanr et oolt heboat . ” “ Rosanne?Shei sasmal lgi r l .Wher ewi l lshegett hatki ndof money? ” “ Idonotknow.Butherpar ent sar er i ch.” “ Maybeshewasj oki ng? ” “ Shewasn’ t .Shewant edt obuymeaboatofmyownl astyear , ” Theboysai d.Iaskedherr at her , t obuyi tf oryou. “ Forme? ” “ I tdi dnotwor kout .Sant i ago.ThatwaswhyIdi dnott el lyou. ” “ Thankyou”t heol dmansai d, “ f orbei ngsot hought f ulofme. ” “ Shesai dherf at hersai di fi twasf orme,hewi l lbuy;butt hat youwer e. . .nevermi nd. ” “ Youcoul dhavehadyourownboat , ”t heol dmansai d. “ Iwasn’ tr eadyt hen.AndIam st i l lnotyetr eady,now.Idonot
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Del eI keor ha:TheYoungManandt heSea
bel i evet hatt obeaf i sher mani sj ustt oknowhowt ocat chaf i sh. Youhavet oenj oyi tt hewayt hegr eatDi Maggi oenj oyedpl ayi ng basebal l . ” “ And, youst i l lhavemanyt r i ckst ol ear n. ” “ Yes, al lt het r i cksyouhaveacqui r edi nt heseyear s. ”“ Takeme back, Sant i ago, Pl ease.Wecanj oi nf or cesandwi nagai nstt hesea, t heshar ksandagai nstanyt hi ng.Il ove“ l amar ”andshel ovesme. Youst i l lhavel uck.Youar et heonl yoneIknow, whoknowst hesea t hewayyoudo.Thati ni t sel fi smor et hanl uckt ome,i fi ti snot l ucki t sel f . ” “ It hi nkIdohavel uck. ” “ Ofcour seyouhave. ” “ Ihavenotbeeneat enupbyshar ksl i keCor nel i o, “ t heol dman sai d. “ Andyouhavel i vesol ongt obeol d.Manywer enotsol ucky. Theydi edyoung, l i keRosanne’ sbr ot her . ” “ AndIknowt hesea.Iknowmanyt r i cks. ” “ Andyoucaughtabi gmar l i naf t erei ght ysevendays, ”t heboy sai d.“ Youhavel uckf orbi gt hi ngs. ” “ Andmaybenonef orl i t t l et hi ngs, “t heol dmanj oked. ‘ Yourl ucksar et oomany, ”sai dt heboy.“ Fart oomany.You mustshar et hem wi t hme, ”hesai dwi t hr esol ut i on. ” “ Thesal aobr i gadej ustcan’ tseei t . ” “ Maybe.Butyoumusteat , ”t heboysai d.“ Andt henwemust pl anournextf i shi ngt r i p.Youmustbemadest r ong. ” Hel i kedt hemeal .Hi sf i r sti nasl ongast hr eedays.Hel i ked t het ur t l et hatwasi ni tt oo.Hehadeat ent hem al lt hr oughMayt o best r ongi nSept emberandOct oberf ort het r ul ybi gf i sh.Theydi d hi m wel l .Hewasi nver ygoodbodycondi t i onwhenhef oughtt he f i sh.Whenhehadonl yr awandunsal t edf i shf ormeal . Af t erhehadf i ni shedeat i ng,t heboycl ear edandwashedt he f l askandpl at es.Ther ewasnobonel ef tont hepl at e.Theol dman at et hem al l .Bones, f i shboneshesai d, wasgoodf ort hebodyand f orf i shi ng, keepsamanst r ongandheal t hy. Theyl ef thi sshackandwentt ot hepi er .Ast heywal keddown
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t he pat ht owar ds t he pi er .The ol d man smi l ed as a t hought cr ossedhi smi nd.Thesmi l er oset ot hesur f acel i ket het i deofa r i si ngsea. “ Andwhati si tSant i ago? ” “ Justat hought ,Manol i n.It ol dt hebl oodyf i shasi tpul l edme al ongf orf ourhour s, “ Fi sh, I ’ l lst aywi t hyouunt i lIam dead. ” “ Youbel i evedi twaswhatyouwer ebor nf or .Tocat cht hegr eat f i sh. ” “ Yes,Manol i n.ButIhave neversi nce Iwas a boy,seen anyt hi ngl i kei t :Af i sher manwi t hmyboatoft r i cks, bei ngt owedby af i sh. ” “ ButIhaveseeni t , ”sai dt heyoungman.“ Wi t hyourboatal l t heseyear s. ” “ Yes!You have,Manol i n,butnott hi s.Ihave notseen a f i sher manwi t hmyboatoft r i cks, bei ngt owedbyaf i shf orsol ong: f ourhour s!I twasi ncr edi bl e:t hef i sh.Shewasi ncr edi bl e.I tnever showedi t shead.I tneverj umped,f orf ourhour swi t ht hehookon hi smout h. . ” “ Youmusthavepr ayed.Youal wayspr ayed. ” “ Idi dandIcoul dnot . ”Henowr ecol l ect edhi spl edge. “ Ipr omi sedt osayahundr ed“ Ourf at her ”andahundr ed“ Hai l Mar i es” .Ihavesl eptf orgoodt wodaysonacupofcof f ee.Ihavet o f ul f i lmypr omi se” “ Thr eedays,Sant i ago,nott wo.Don’ twor r yaboutt hat .Iwi l l hel pyousaysi xt yourf at her s” “ Andsi xt yHai lMar i es” “ Youcansayt her emai ni ngf or t y.I tbef i t syourol dage.Iwi l l evenaddt wohundr ed“ TheLor di smyshepher ds”sot hatwewi l l havesai denoughi nr eser vet ogi veusl ucki nournextt r i p.Imust getexper i enceSant i ago and you mustt each me.You ar et he gr eat estf i sher manandImustl ear nf r om you,Il ovet ocar r yyour t ool s? ”t heboysai d. “ Butyourf at herManol i n…”as he l ef tsayi ng t he t hought spr i ngi ngt hr oughhi smi ndl i kewaves. “ Myf at herwi l lunder st and.Iwi l lconvi ncehi m. ”Manol i nsai d
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Del eI keor ha:TheYoungManandt heSea
event ual l y. “ Buthewi l lbedi sappoi nt ed. ” “ EvenGodsomet hi nghashi sdi sappoi nt ment s.Thatwaswhy i tgr i evedhi mt hathemademan;whyJesust hesecondAdam cameaf t ert hef i r stAdam f el l . ” “ Iam notr el i gi ous, Manol i n”ButIhavehear dGodcr eat edusi n hi si mage”andsomusthavet hecapaci t yt oexhi bi tourpassi on, t hedi vi neonesofcour se,nott hef r ai l t i es.Thatwoul dbeabsur d. Unchar act er i st i cofhi m. ” Theywal ked up t he r oad t oget her .The ol d smi l ed on t he dr eamst hathadhaunt edhi m:Hesawhi msel fcont est i ngwi t ht he bi gf i shi nt hei rbat t l edofwi l es;r el i vi ngt hehor r i bl eexper i ence, t he cont estwi t ht heshar kand hi sut t erdef eatal loveragai n.He dr eamtofl i onst oo.Theypur suedhi m andhepur suedt hem.They pl ayedt oget herandt heydi dal i t t l ewr est i ng.Whent hel i ongr ew hungr yandbl oodt hi r st yandat t ackedhi m,hecl ubbedhi m asi fi t wer eashar k,becausei tsuddenl ychangedi nt oashar k.I twasa hor r i bl edr eam. Hesaw t heboy.Tear sr unni ngdownhi seyes,t el l i nghi m he shoul d have t aken hi m.They woul d have caughtt he shar ks t oget her .Hesawt heboycheerhi m up.Buti twasadr eam.Ast hey wal ked, hel ookedatManol i nandsmi l ed.Manol i nsmi l edback.He seemedt ounder st and.Hewashappyt heol dwasl essbot her ed now. “ Youar esmi l i ngSant i ago, ”sai dt heboy. “ Yes, ”t heol dmanr epl i ed.“ I tcur esal otofmi sf or t une.Iwas t hi nki ngofyou.Yout ol dmewewoul dbel uckynextt i me,onl yi t wasadr eam. ” “ Andwewi l lbel ucky.Manyt hi ngst hatoncewer edr eams becamer eal i t i es.Youof t ensaysoyour sel f . ” “ Youneverdoubt edme, ”sai dt heol dman. “ Ihavef ai t h, Sant i ago.I si tnotDecember , t hemont hwhent he bi gf i shcomesagai n?Youwi l lt eachmemanyt r i cksandwewi l l cat cht hatbi gf i sh.I twi l lbeourpr i ze. ” “ Wehavecaughti tni net i mesbef or eandi thasescapedni ne
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t i mes. ” “ Wemaybel uckyt hi st i me.Teni sal uckynumber , ”t heboy sai d. Theywer eatt hehabournow.Theysaw amanbyt heol d man” sboat .Theboatwasneat l ypul l edupt hehabour .Ol dboati t was,butser vi ng wel l .Al li tneeded wasa man wi t h cour age, st r engt handexper i ence. Theboyt hought . Ther ewasast r angerbyt heboar d.Thest r angermanwas exami ni ngt hebackboneoft hef i shnow”al ookofaweonhi sf ace, f asci nat edbyi t ssi ze. Theol dmanst oppedandwat chedt heyoungboywal kupt o t hest r anger .Hest oppedagai nt henst r ol l edt owar dsRodr i gowho wasbeckoni ngonhi mf r om t heTer r ace. Hest oppedagai nt o wat cht heboyandt hest r anger .Hecoul dnothearwhatt heywer e di scussi ngabout , buti twasani mat ed. “ Youownt hi sboat ?Thest r angersai d. “ Yesami go, ”sai dt heboy,admi r i ngt heci t yout f i twi t hwhi ch t heSt r angerwasdr essed.Thecarbyt heTer r acemustbehi s.He knew ever yonewhol i vedwi t hi nt womi l er adi usf r om t her e.None oft hem hadsuchacar .NotevenRosanne’ sdadwhowast he r i chesti nt hel i t t l et ownbesi det hesea. Sant i agol ookedathi m andsmi l ed.Theboywasgoodand qui ckwi t t ed. “ How Iwi shedhewer emyson. ”Het hought .“ Iwoul dhave gambl edwi t hhi m” .Hi ssunbur nedeyeswat chi ngt heyoungboy ashewal kedt owar dhi m. “ Ihavesol dt hebackboneoft hegi antf i sh, ”sai dt heboy. “ Sol di t ? ”sai dt heol dman.“ Whowi l lbuyt hatgar bagewai t i ng f ort het i de? ” “ Hehas, ”sai dt heboypoi nt i ngt ot hest r angerwhonowcame, andgavet heboysomemoney. “ Twent ydol l ar s? ”sai dt hest r angerashegavet heboymoney. “ Weagr eedont went yf i ve, “ sai dt heboy.“ Makei tt went yf i ve. ” “ Al lr i ght , ”sai dt he st r anger ,as he gave hi m anot herf i ve dol l ar s.
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Del eI keor ha:TheYoungManandt heSea
“ Iwi l lneedsomeonet ohel pmebr i ngi tupandl ookaf t eri t wi t houtbr eaki ngt hespi ne?Sai dt hest r anger .Theol dmanl ooked att heboywi t hwonder .Maybei twasanot herdr eam.Oneoft hose dr eamst hathascont i nuedt ot or t ur ehi m,andsomet i mesmock hi m si nceAf r i ca. Hel ookedagai nashesawt hemoneyi nt heboy’ shand,ashe l i st enedt ot hehaggl i ngbet weent heboywi t ht heSt r anger . Hewasanol dman,buthewasawi seman.Hest uckt owhat hewasgoodat .Theboyhadbeenhi sunof f i ci almanagersi ncehe wast wel ve.Hehadbr oughthi mf or t une.Atl eastcompar edt o ot her s. “ Yougett heskel et onupunbr oken? ”sai dt heSt r anger . “Icoul dar r anget hat ,hi r et womor emenf orf i vedol l arand hal f ” “ Iwi l lgi veyouf i vedol l ar s. ” “ Thatwoul ddo.Thought hehal faddedt oi twoul dbebet t er . ” “ Iwi l lsendf oracr aneandat r ai l erandmyr ecover yt eam t o comeandt aket heBi gf i shspi net ot hemuseum, ”t hest r anger sai d, gi vi ngt heboyf i vedol l ar sashesai dso. “ Al r i ghtAmi go, ”sai dt heboy. Thest r angerwal kedawayt ohi scarpar kedneart het er r ace. “ Andwhatj usthappenednow, ”askedt heol dman. “ Isol dt hef i shspi neyoucal lawr eck.Di dyounotsayi twas usel ess? Theol dmanwasst i l lst unned.Hehadbeenaspect at ori na moment ousevent .Hewasnotl ostt owhatj usthappened.The si gni f i canceofi twasgr eat .Hi scur sehadt ur nedt obl essi ng.Hi s l i f ewasaboutt ochange.Hi sf or t unehadchanged.I twast heboy. Thi sboywashi sangel . “ YouseewhatIsai d. ”Sai dt heboy.“ Iwi l lbr i ngbackt hel uck Sant i ago,andwear egoi ngt osai lagai n. ”Hespokewi t hgl ee.He hadneverf ai l edt obel i evet hathewoul dsai lagai n.Heal wayshad money.I tal wayscamet ohi m. “ Moneyl i kesyouManol i n.Yourl ucki sr eal l ysomet hi ng. ”He hadnodoubtabouti t .
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TheYoungManandTheSea
Theyoungmanhadnot hi ngt osayt ot hat .Hehadal waysbeen f avour edbyal l . “ Thi ngsal wayswor kedoutf orme. ”Hesai d.Heevenmade hi msel fnott ooagr eeabl esomet i messot hatt heywoul dl eavehi m al one.Thatwas, exceptwhenhewentt ot heot herboatagai nsthi s wi sh. Theol dmanwal kedal i t t l edi st anceandsatonat r unkofa t r ee,hi seyesmoi stwi t ht hr eat eni ngt ear shel dbackbymanhood; i nnocence,chi l dhood,cycl i cembr aces,gul agofcar di nalpl easur e, apr onspr i ngs;yout hf ul ,memor i esofgr aces,r ecol l ect i onofever y censur e, dr eams, t hatwast hewor l d;whati shappeni ng? “ I t ’ snotaf ai l ur eaf t eral l ”sai dt heyoungman.“ Youmustmake ourpl ansnow. ” “ Butwhydi dyousel li tf orsomuch?Event hewhol ef i shwoul d nothavecostasmuch. ” “ I twashi seyes, ”sai dt heboy. “ Hi seyes?Whatabouthi seyes?“ askedt heol dman. “ Sant i ago,you t aught me t ol ook out ;t o envi si on my envi r onment ;t aughtmet hateyesar eel oquent , mor eel oquentt hat or at or sandcanspeakcl ear erwor dst hanwor dst hemsel vescan evermust er .Di dyounot ? ” “ Idi d.Yes, ”r epl i edt heol dman,bewi l der edatt hemeani ngof t heboy’ sr esponse. “ Whi l ewewer ecomi ngt owar dst hepi er ,t heyhadspot t edus af arusandpoi nt edhi mt ous.Theysai dIwast heboyhandt ot he boat manandt hatwast heboat mancomi ng. ” “ Iwantt obuyyourf i sh, ”hesai d. “ I twasnoonandi twasomi nous.I twast het i meweof t ensai l outf orsea. ” “ So? ”askedSant i ago. “ Hesai dhewant edt obuyt hespi neoft hef i shandIt houghti t wasaj okeandt ol dhi m hecoul dhavei tf orf or t ydol l ar s.Hel ooked ast r angerwhol i kel ydoesnotknowwhataf i shwaswor t h, andhe want edt omakeaj okeatme.Sot hej okewasonhi m.Hesai dhe woul dpayt went yf i veandagr eedaf t ersomehaggl i ng. ”
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Del eI keor ha:TheYoungManandt heSea
“ For t ydol l ar s?Why? ” “ I st hatnott henumberofdaysyouwer eoutatseawi t hme? ” “ Yes, ”sai dt heol dman. “ I tcamet omymi ndwhenheaskedhowmuch.Ij ustsai df or t y. Ial sosawi ti nhi seyes.Hel ookedatt hef i sht hewayyoul ookat yourmar l i nwhenwecomet oshor e.Pur eadmi r at i on,f asci nado” t heboysai d. “ Youmeanyousawheneededi tsomucht hr ought heeyes? ” “ Idi d.When he sai d he coul d pay anyt hi ng f ori t ,Ij ust ment i onedanyt hi ng. ” “ Butwhyi nt hewor l dwoul danyoneneedt hatcar cass?What usecoul di tbeusedf or ? ” “ Thest r angersai dheneededi tf ort hemuseum. ” ‘ Museum? ” “ Yes!Sohesai d.‘ I t ’ sf ort hemuseum,hesai d. ’Iusedt ohear Rosannesaysomet hi ngaboutar chaeol ogyorsomet hi ng.‘ Manol i n l et ’ sgot ot hemuseum i nHavana.It houghti twasapl aygr ound.I t i sl i kel yasi ght seei ngpl ace. ” Theot herf i sher menhadal r eadygat her edandwer et al ki ng ani mat edl y.Theymustnowknowt hatt heyspoket ooear l y.I ti snot al waysasi tappear si nt hi swor l d. Theol dmanandt heboycoul dnothearorover hearwhatt hey wer esayi ng.Butgoi ngbyt hewayt heyl ookedatt hem,andt hei r gest i cul at i nghandspoi nt i ngatt hef i sh,t heboatandt heSt r anger , t heydi scer nedt heymustbet al ki ngaboutt hespi neoft hef i shand i t ssal e. “ Theymustbewonder i nghowmuchwesol di tf or . ” “ Lett hem Sant i ago,t heydeser vet owonder .Di dt heynotsay youwer esal ao,amusi ngt hemsel veswi t ht hatl i e?Now l ett hem expl ai nt hi s. ”Theboysai dwi t hannoyanceatt hem,event hough t heywer enotwi t hi near shot . Theol dmanl ookedatt heboy.Heal waysangr yatanyonewho woul dmaket heol dmandi st r aught .Thosewer et heonl yt i mehe sawhi m angr y. “ DoyouknowManol i nt hati fyour eal l yl ookcar ef ul l y;not hi ng
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i sawast ei nt hi swor l d. ”Theol dmansai d,st i l lr umi nat i ngi nhi s mi ndwhatal lt hesemeant . “ Wecandr eam agai n, ”Theboysai d. “ Iwi shyouwer emyboyManol i n. ”i fyouwer e, Iwoul dt akeyou outandgambl e. Butyouar eyourf at her ’ sandyourmot her ’ s.You ar el ucky, chi l d.Youar eal uckychi l d. ” “ ButI ’ m yourboy Sant i ago.Iam, ”sai dt he boy,l ooki ng bemusedatt heol dmanwi t ht hegl ar eoft hesun. “ Iwi shyouwer emyboy. ”Theol dmansai dagai n.“ I fyouwer e, Iwoul dt akeyououtandgambl e. Butyouar eyourf at her ’ sand yourmot her ’ s.You ar el ucky,chi l d.You ar eal uckychi l d, ”he r epeat ed. “ Sant i ago, ”t heboysai d, l ostatwhatt osay. Heal wayscal l edt heol dmanbyhi sname.I twasacust om t heyhadst ar t edsi ncehewasf i ve. “ Ial waysf eelhappywhenyoucal lmebyname, ”sai dt heol d man. “ I ti st r ue.Youaskedmet ocal lyoubynamesi nceIwasf i ve. Butwhi l ei nt heot herboat , Ihadt ocal lt hef i sher man, ‘ Mast er ’ .But notsowi t hyou, Sant i ago. ” Whyi twasso, hehadnotbeenabl et odi scer n.I twasawkwar d atf i r st , butnowi twasnat ur al . “ Theot herf i sher men, t heyscol dedmeatf i r stf orcal l i ngyouby name?I twasdi sr espect f ulanddi st ast ef ult heysai d.Butevent hey hadt oaccepti taf t eryousai dt ot hem t hatIwasyourboyandt hat Iwasf ol l owi ngyouri nst r uct i on. ” “ Fi sher menshoul dcal lt hemsel vesbyt hei rownnamesandt he boywasaf i sher man.ThatwaswhatIsai dandwhatIst i l lsay. ” “ Butt heysai dIwasaf i sher man’ sboy.Butyousai daboy f i sher man. ” “ Yes, Ir emember .Isai daf i sher man’ sboyandaboyf i sher man wer e di f f er ent .Manol i ni s a boy f i sher man.Thatended t he ar gument s’ . “ Andwhatdoesaboyf i sher manmean?Theboyaskedf i nal l y havi nganoppor t uni t yandbol dnesst oaskSant i agowhathehad
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Del eI keor ha:TheYoungManandt heSea
want edt oaskt hepastt enyear s. “ Nevermi nd, ”Sant i agosai d.“ Letusear nt hef i vedol l ar sand saf eguar dt he t went yf i ve, ” i gnor i ng t he quest i on,i tcoul d be answer edatanot hert i me.I fhehadt akent enyear st oaskhi mt hat quest i on,hecoul dwai tanot hert enyear sf ort heanswer .Hewas anol dmanandhewasawi seol done. “ Thet i dei sshowi ngsi gnsofr i si ngi nanhour , ”sai dt heboy. “ Sowemustr ai set hegi antf i sh’ sbackboneup,ori twoul dbe damagedbyt het i de, orwor sest i l l , washedawayi nt ot hesea. ” “ Ter r i bl esal ao. ”Wemustnotal l ow t hatbadl uckt ohappen, ” sai dt heol dmanr esol ut el y. Whent heol dandt heyoungf i sher menatt het er r acel ear nt t hatt heol d man had sol dt hebackbonef ort went yf i ve,t hey t houghti twasabl oodyj oke.I thadneverhappened.Noonehave everseenorhear dsuchat hi ng:buyi ngr ubbi sh.Theymadef unof t heol dmanandoft heboy.Mi sf or t uneandi l ll uckmusthavemade t hem i nsaneanddel usi ve, t heymocked. Theboysmi l edandshowedt hem t het hi r t ydol l ar s. “ I ft hi si ssal ao, mayi tcont i nuet ohappen. ”Hesai di nj est . Thei reyesbul gedout .Thi r t ydol l ar swaswor t ht hr eeweeksof f i shi ng on a l ucky mont h.The ol d man’ s“ sal ao” became quest i oned by some.They began t o di scuss abouthi s good f or t une;t hathi sl uckmusthaver et ur ned.Somesai di twast heboy whobr oughtbackt heol dman’ sl uck.“ Theol dmani sf i ni shed. ” Theyswor e.Buti fi twast heboy, howcomet heot herboatt heboy wentt odi dnotf ar easwel l .Butt heycaughtf i shesal mostona dai l ybasi s.Theboyi sal uckyone. Ther ewasr enewedvi gourandexci t ement , aseasi l yf el tast he t i desatsea.Ever yonewaspl anni ngt osai li nt ot hesea.Eachwi t h adr eam ofcat chi ngabi ggersi zeoff i sh.I twast hevani t yofal l menoft hel and.Womenhadnobusi nesst her e. Manol i ndaydr eamed.Maybet heycoul dcat chabi gf i shor event heel usi vebi gf i sht hatvi si t edever ySept ember .Theycoul d makemoneyoutoft hebone, t heoi l , t hebel l ymeatandevenoutof t hegut s.
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TheYoungManandTheSea
Butt he news t hatt he ol d man,orr at hert he young man Manol i nsel l i ngt hespi neoft hef i shwr eckgal l opedt hr oughoutt he smal lhabourt own.Theeventwasl egendar y.Somesai di tmustbe t heboywhobr oughtbackt heol dman’ sl uck.Al mostever yone ar oundt heTer r aceandi nt hesmal lshor et ownhadsomet hi ngt o sayabouti t . Theywer enowsett osai lagai n;atl eastt heyhadt hemoneyt o r ef i tt he ski f f .And even buynew equi pment .A new castnet anot herhar poon,r eel s,andaf i shi ngnet .Butsai l i ngagai nmust wai tf ort heol dmant or egai nhi sheal t handhi sst r engt h.Theyhad br oughtandboughtshar koi l ,smear edandr ubbedi tonhi sbody, andgavehi m somet odr i nk.Thatshoul ddoal i t t l emagi c. Sant i agowasnotsi ck.Hewasonl yexhaust ed. Theboyl ookedar ound.Hewasi nt hef i r str oom oft heshack t hatwashi shouse.Hehadj ustwokenupandr i senf r om t hecot . Thedooroft hehousewasunl ocked.Heopenedi tandwal kedout t our i nat ebyt heshack.Fr om hi sdoorhecoul dseet heol dman st i l lasl eep. Theboyr emember edt hest r angert hatboughtt hebi gf i sh’ s backboneatt hehar bour .Hecoul dseehi m cl ear l yi nhi smi nd:t he wayhewasdr essed,t hecar ,andevent heeaseandcar el essness orcar ef r eemannerwi t hwhi chhebr oughtoutt hemoneyhegave t o hi m.Heseemed t o makel otofmoney.Hemustsur el ybe maki ngal otofmoney. Her et ur nedandent er edi nt ohi sshackandl ookedar ound:He waspoor ,buthewasnott heonl yone.Ther ewasacoti nt hef i r st r oom wher eheal wayssl ept ,achai rbyt hebed,t hatal waysbor e t hepai nf ulwei ghtofhi st ower i nghei ghtwhenhi ssl ept .Hewas al waysbar ef oot .Hei magi nedhi msel fi nt hest r anger ’ swonder f ul shoes.Hebentoverandt ouchedhi sf oot .i thadbeenchar r edand har denedbyt hewal ki nt hecol dr ocks.Hi shandswer enotl i ket he ol dman’ shandst hathadhar denedt hr oughsuf f er i ngandt oi l . Theywer ebr ui sedi nhi sl astt r i p, butt heywer eheal i ngnow. Abeaut i f ulgi r lf l oat edi nt ohi svi si on. “ Whydon’ tyoucomet oschoolwi t hme? ”sai dshe. “ Wecoul dl ear nal ot ,t henaf t er war dswegot oHavana,get
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Del eI keor ha:TheYoungManandt heSea
goodj obs,dr i veabi gourowncar s,andyoucanmar r ymei fyou wi sh. ”shesai d. HernamewasRosanna.Howhel ovedher .Hewant edt omake al otofmoney.Buthewant edt obet hegr eat estf i sher man;hi s l uckwaswi t hf i shi ng:andhi sl uckwasamongf i sher men.Hel oved l emarasmuchashel ovedRosanna,i fnotmor e.Thet i des,t he cont estofwi l l sbet weenaf i shandaman, bet weent heseaandt he boat ,bet ween hunger and r esol ut i on:They wer e somet hi ng ext r aor di nar y:somet hi ngyoucanonl yf i ndsai l i ngatsea. Hel ovedt hesmel loft hesea, t hegal anos anddent asos, he l ovedt hewayt heschoolofdol phi nsj umpedupanddowni n ecst asy,wi t houtacar eofdanger ,hur l edi nt hef or m ofgui l t .Man hadal wayswon. Hel ovedi twhenmenshow r esol ut i on.Hel ovedt hesmel lof t hesea, t hegal anosanddent asos, cr uelast heywer ei fonewast o f al lbet weent hemonst r oust eet hi nt hei rmout h.Hel ovedschool s: school soff i shes.Hel ovedt hewayt heschoolofdol phi nsj umped upanddowni necst asy;wi t houtacar eofdangert hatmenbor ei n t hef or m ofgui l t .Manhadal wayswonAndhehasbecomeaman. Theol dman’ sor dealwi t ht hef i shpr ovedt hatmanhadal ways f oughti t swaybacki nt ot her ecessofhi smi ndwher ehehad al i enat edi t .Butmani sal waysf acedwi t hchal l engesandcont est s andi nal lt hat , hehasal wayswonandal wayswoul dwi n.
Andhehasbecomeaman.Theol dman’ sor dealwi t ht hef i sh pr oved t hatman has al ways f ought ;he has al ways won and al wayswoul dwi n. Rosannedi sappear edf r om hi svi si onf r om hi sdr eam.Hedi d notseet heol dmanwakeup.Whenhet hr ewawayt hebl ankett hat cover edt hespr i ngbedandst oodup.Norwhenhepul l edoutt he newspaper st heol dmanal waysst aysi nt ohi st r ouserf oruseas hi spi l l owt henhewr appedt heol dar mybl anket shet ookf r om t he bedandspr eadi tovert hebackoft hechai r .Ther oom wascol dt he ol dmanputonhi st r ouser sandwal kdownt her oadbar ef oot .He coul dseet heboyst andi ngwi t hhi sbackt ot hedoor .Soont heywi l l
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TheYoungManandTheSea
woul dber owi ng.I tmi ndwasatt hesea.Att hel essonsandt r i cks ofl yehel ear ntt her e.Theboywasnotl ooki ngr oundathi sshar kor r at herhi spar ent .I twasmadeoft het oughshal loft heguanot he r oyalpal m whi chwast hewal l .I tst ur dyf i br eandoverl appi ng l eaves,Knot t edl i keaweavedbasket .Ast heol dmanst eppedon t hedoorwayt heyoungboysensedhi spr essur east her ough br eezebl owi ngonhi sbackwassuddenl ycutof f .Het ur ned. “ Sant i ago” ,hesai d,l ooki ngi nt ot heol dman’ ssl eepr uf f l ed, col dt or t ur ed, andagemar kedbutr esol ut eeyes. “ Howar eyou, myboy, ”askedt heol dman. “ Iam ver yf i ne.Iwasatyourshackear l i erbutyouwer esound asl eep.SoIl ef tyou. ” “ St r angeOl dmanIam Manol i n.Myagei sf ai l i ngme.Myal ar m cl ockdi dnotsoundatt her i ghtt i me. ” “ Qui va”t heboysai d“ yousl eptwel landhar d.I ti sgoodf or yourr ecover y”“ ButIam st r ongnow.Myhur t i ngf i nger shavebeen heal ed. ”TheOl dmansai d. “ Doyouwantcof f ee”t heboyasked“ notnow.Ihaveal r eady eat en.Apotofbr ownbeanswi t hf i sh,andsomepl ant ai n.Iat ei t col d.Dowantany? “ Not hankyou. ”Theboysai d. I twast hei rdai l ymyst i que:Thecof f ee,t hebr ownbeans,f i sh andpl ant ai nwasamyt h.Theywentt hr ought hesamef i ct i onand mot i onever ymor ni ng, becauseusual l yt her ewasnot hi ngt oeat . “ Iwi l lgett hel astnet ”sai dt heboy. ” “ Notnow”t heol dmansai d.“ Wewi l lnotgot oday.Lookatt he sky.I ti snotgoodf orf i shi ngnorf orboat s,al t houghheknew t oo wel lt hatt her ewasnocastnetf ori thasbeensol d.Theboyknew t oo.I twasagame.Heknewt heywer event ur i ngi nt ot heseat oday, t heweat hert heol dmangaveasar easonwasmer econf i gur at i on, t hatt hey knew t oo wel lneverexi st ed.Ot herf i sher men wer e al r eadyont hei rway.Theyhadsett hei rmi ndst om sai lt omor r ow becausei twast heni net ysevenday-t hei rmostl i vel yday.Af t er cat chi ngnot hi ngf orei ght yf i vedays,t heywentf ort hr eeweeks cat chi ngever yday, andcaughtt hegr eat estmar l i n ont hei rni net y
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Del eI keor ha:TheYoungManandt heSea
sevent h. “ Ar ewer eal l yf i shi ngt oget heragai n? ”t heboysai d. “ Iam. ”Theol dmansai d,l ooki ngathi shandst hatheal edf ast duet ohabi tandexper i ence.Hewasahar denedol dman.Deep gul l i esofsear sonhi sar ms. “ Myhandsheveheal ed.Thatst uf fyoubr oughtf r om t hedr ug st or ewor kedwonder sandmyr ef l exes hasheheal ed. ” “ Wi l lyoul etmesai lwi t hyou. ”Sai dt heboy. “ Iwi shIcoul d. butyouf at her . ” “ Myf at hersays, Icansai lwi t hyouagai n.It ol dhi m Iwasdone wi t ht heot herboat . ” “ Wewi l lf i sht oget her , Manol i n, i fyourf at hersaysso. ” “ Andt hi sf i ne, Iwi l lneverl ethi m wi t hdr awmef r om you.Those handswoul dhavebeenwounded.Icoul dhaveoi l edt hel i nes.My l uckcoul dhavedr i vent heshar ks” “ Manol i n”sai dt heol dmanabsent mi ndedl y “ Yes, ”sai dt heboy. “ Thef i shIcaughtwasei ght eenf eetf r om noset ot ai l .That Gal anoswhomeasur edt heskel et onwi t hal engt hofl i nef ol dme. ” Hecal l edt hef i sher man‘ Gal anos' becausehi sf acewasl i kea bi gshar k.Hewasver yugl y, andheat eal ot . Damn“ Gal anos, ” hebl ur t ed. “ Damnt hef i sh”sai dt heboyl ooki ngast hemor ni ngf i nal l y nosewi t hdi gni t yofaki ng.Andt hedar knesssl i ppi ngaway,a gl i di nggr eenl eavi ngt hepr esenceofherki ngi ncounci l .“ Nowt hat yourhandswel l ,andyourchesti scl ear ,wewi l lgoaf t ert heBi g f i sh”sai dt heboy. “ Pedr i cot ol dmet hef i sher ment hi nkt heBi gf i shIcaughti st he el usi veSept embermar l i n. ” “ I si t ?Askedt heboy,di sappoi nt mentaboutt oappeari nhi s f ace. “ NoManol i n.Ihaveseeni tmanyt i mes.Youknowmyeyesar e ver ycl ear .Ihavehookedi tbef or emanyt i mesyour emember ,and i tescaped.Ihaveseeni tj umpi t sf ul ll engt h.i ti sl ar ge, rmaybe
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TheYoungManandTheSea
t went yei ghtf eetandpounds. ” “ Butourboati ssmal l .Howcanwebr i ngi tt ohar bour ? “ Don’ twor r ymyboy,l ett odaybr i sagoaway.Ihaveabagof t r i cks” “ Andt henyouwi l lt eacht hem t ome.Icanl ear n. ” “ Haveyougotnewspaper ?Askedt heol dman. “ Yes, Iboughti tt of i ndouti fwehavewont hel ot t er y. “ Whi ch l ot t er y? ”asked t he ol d man,t hen r ecol l ect i ng sai d “ wher edi dyout hemoney? ” “ It ol dyoubef or eyouwentt osea, t hatIcanal waysbor r owt wo dol l ar sandahal f ” Sai dt heboy.“ Igotf i vedol l ar si nst ead. ” “Whogavet hatt oyou? ” “Rosanna. ”Sai dt heboy. ”SoIboughtat er mi nalofl ot t er ywi t h anei ght yf i veandanot herf ort heei ght ysevenofyourr ecor d. ” “ It ol dyounevert obor r owt henyoubeg”sai dt heol dman. “ Nohar m ol dman. ”Sai dt heboy. “ ei ght yf i vei sl uckynumber , andIam yett obeg. ” “ Ei ght yf i vei sal uckynumber .Ihookedt hebi gf i shont he noonoft heei ght y f i f t hdayaf t erhavi nggoneei ght yf ourdays wi t houtt aki ngaf i sh. “ Ei ght yseveni sal uckydayt oo”sai dt heboy “ Iam notsoconvi nced. ” “ Butyouwonyourgr eatr ecor dont heei ght ysevensai dt he boy. “ Andt heshar ksat emyal bacor eont heei ght ysevent h.Icoul d nothappent wi ce”sai dt heol dman “ Wel li fIal r eadyor der edt hem.I fwedon’ twi n,wecanal ways havef ai t h. “ TheYankeescannotl ose”sai dt heol dman.“ Theypl aybest basebal lanywher e.“ Andt heyhavet hegr eatDi Maggi o. ” “ Hemakest hedi f f er ence, don’ the? ” “ Hedoes”sai dt heol dman, “ Heal waysdoes. ” “ Pedr i cot ol dmeDi Maggi obr okehi sl eg,andt heyl ostt ot he Ti ger sofDet r oi t . ”
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Del eI keor ha:TheYoungManandt heSea
“ Thent heywi l lbeatt heI ndi ansofCl evel andandt heRedsof Ci nci nnat i .Evenwi t hani nj ur edkneehewi l lwi nagai nstt heWhi t e ofSoxofChi cagoandt heHor sesofPhi l adel phi a,orWar r i or sof Br ookl yn, ”sai dt heol dmanconf i dent l y. “ Butt heYankeeshavel ostt wi ce, ”sai dt heboy. “ Andt heyhavewont went yt i mesbef or e.Havef ai t hi nt he Yankeesmyson.Thi nkoft hegr eatDi Maggi o.Hei shi msel fagai n. ” “ Canamanal waysmakesuchadi f f er ence, ”askedt heboy. ” “ Yes,myboy.Whet heri ti st heAmer i canl eague,ori nt he cont estwi t ht hef i sh,ori nt hest r uggl esofl i f e,amancanmakea di f f er ence. ” “ Buthow? ”quer i edt heboy. “ Butf l ai rManol i n.Somemenar ebor nwi t ht hegi f tf r om t hei r mot her swomb.Theyar esomadet heywi l lal waysexcelwher e manyf ai l .Theywi l lal waysl ead. ” “ Li keDi ckSi zl er , hehi t st hel ongestbal lever . ” “ Andhasneverbeenpoor . ”Sai dt heol dman. “ Butar et hepooral wayspoor ? ” “ No.Manol i n.Somear epooroutoft het r eacher i esoff at e. Somear er i choutoft hesame.Somear epooroutofi gnor anceor f ool i shnessorl azi ness.Somear er i ch, eveni nt her ei ndol ence.My f at hersaysi ti nt hei rdest i ny.I nt hei rst ar s. ” “ Idon’ tbel i evei nst ar s, Sant i ago? ”heboysai d. “ WhyManol i n?Ar et heynotl ovel y? ” “ Theyar e, butappealonl yatei ght ” “ Thesuni nabi gst ar ,myboy,andsoi thur r i est hr ought he day,smi l esatt heeagl esand t hoser obberbi r dsmocki ng t he cl oudswi t ht hei rcl aws, I tbur nsmyeyest ooandbl eachesmyski n. Bel i evei nt hest ar smyboy.Theyshowyouwher et hef i shesar e. Butamanmustwi nagai nsthi sst ar .Thewayt heni ghtdoes agai nstt heday. “ Youspeaki di omsmyboy.WhenIwasyourage, Isawl i onson t hebeachesofAf r i cai nt heeveni ngs.ThenIt houghtl i onswher e t hei di omsofl i f e, Idr eamtal otaboutt hem andst i l ldo. ”
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TheYoungManandTheSea
“ Weshoul dr at herbet al ki ngofwashi ngandeat i ng, Sant i ago. “ Butwhati st her et oeat ? ”sai dt heol dman.“ Amanpl anshi s expedi t i onsbet t eronahungr yst omach. ” “ Butnotmeol dman.Youwi l lneverst ar veasl ongasIl i ve, ” sai dt heboy,andwenti ni nt ot hesecondr oom,pi ckedagood t owel ,asoap,ashi r t ,awi nt erj acket ,aneat l yf ol dedbl anketand shoesandf l ungt hem overhi sl ef tshoul der .Hebr oughtoutwi t h hi m onhi sr i ghthand, at wodeckeral umi ni um cont ai ner , al ongsi de t woset soff or ksspadesandkni vesneat l ywr appedi npaper . ‘ Youwi l lneverst ar veasl ongasIl i ve”sai dt heboy. Hehadgoneoutt oseawi t ht heol dmanear l i er . “ Sant i ago, ”a f i sher man cal l ed outal oud,hi s voi ce and gr eet i ngscar r i edwi debyt heshor ewavesi nt hedar kness.Butt hat wast heol dman’ sname.Hedi dnotr espondt ot hecal l .Hewasnot Sant i ago.I twasbadomenonadar kandmoonl essni ghtt odoso. Hepi ckedupt hegearoft heboatandcar r i edal ongwi t hi t ,t he coi l edhar dbr ai dedf i shi ngl i nes.Hel ookedatt hehar poonbr oken ont hef l ooranddeci dedagai nstt aki ngi tal ongwi t hi t sshaf t .He t houghtaboutt hebai tboxunder , t hendeci dedt ol eavei tbehi nd.I t wasapr ecaut i onbor neoutofhabi tf orsaf ekeepi ng.Whatcal ami t y i twoul dbe,i feveri twascar r i edbyt hewi nd,t heseawavesor st ol en;t houghhef ear edt hewavesmor et hatt hi eves.St eal i ngwas r ar eamongt hesepoorbuti nnocentf i sher men.Suchcr i meswer e t hecur seofci t i es.Whatwasunsaf ewasf i sh.I twast hei rgol d.Not t hatanywoul dst eali t .I twasever ywher e,andever yoneknew ever yone. Ont henextday,hehadsuper vi sedt hecl eani ng,r epai r sand r et ool i ngoft heski f f .Hehaddoubl edever yt hi ng.I tmadet heski f fa l i t t l eheavi er ,buti twassaf er :amuchmor esaf erboatnow.They nowhadt wogaf f s, f ouroar s, t hr eeshor tcl ubs, t wol ungcl ubsand t wot i l l er s.Hehadal somanuf act ur edani mpr ovi sedkni f el at ched t ot hebut toft wo oar s;t wo har poons.Thegearwasi n good condi t i onandhehadboughtacastnet .Themastwasal lr i ght .The woodenboatwasnow f i t t edwi t ht hecoi l edhar dbr ai dedbr own l i nes whi ch he had bought .He had pi cked t he mastwi t hi t s wr appedsai lasl ongasoner oom oft heshack, al ongwi t hhi mt he
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Del eI keor ha:TheYoungManandt heSea
daybef or e.Car r yi ngi tt ot heshi pandf i xi ngi tbef or et heysai lwas al essert oi lt hant empt i ngt hi eves. Theysai l edi nt ot heGul fst r eam.Hehaddonet hatt housands oft i meswi t ht heol dman. “ Manol i n, ”t hegi r lsai dt ohi m ashecl i mbedi nt ot heski f f , “ Ar e your eal l yst r ongenought ogooutf i shi ngal one? ” “ It hi nkso, ”hesai d.“ Sant i agohast aughtmemanyt r i cks. “ Ihopeso, ”shesai d,gl eef ul l ywi t hadmi r at i onwr i t t enal lover herf ace.Butshewasnotaf r ai dt obet her ewi t hhi m.Shehad al ways bel i eved i n hi m.She had al ways want ed t o sai lwi t h Manol i n,t ogoanywher ewi t hhi m.Shedi dnotknowwhyshehad suchcompul si vedesi r e.I tmadeherbl ush.Hewast heonl yboy herpar ent sal l owedhert omovef r eel ywi t h.Whyi twassoshe coul dnott el l .Herpar ent swer eover t l ypossessi veandpr ot ect i ve ofher . Theboyhadsai l edt heboati nt ot heGul fSt r eam,awayf r om t heshor es.I twasj ustt hr eehour saf t ernoon.Ther ewer enotmany f i sher menatt heshor eswhent heyboar dedandsai l ed.Hewant ed tt estt heboat , t henewf i t t i ngs.I thadbeendone, buthewant edt o dosowi t hher ;t oi mpr essher .Hewant edhert oseet hathewas dest i nedt obeagr eatf i sher man.Hel ookedatherast heysai l ed. Shesmi l edbackathi m.Shewashappyt obewi t hhi m,t obej ust t her e. Hehadt her opeoft heoar si nt ot het hol epi nsandl eani ng f or war d, t hr ustt hebl adesoft heoar sagai nstt hem. Theysai l edi nt ot heGul fst r eam.Hehaddonet hatt housands oft i meswi t ht heol dman.Todaywasj ustanot herday. “ Ibr oughtal ong some yel l ow r i ce wi t hf i sh.Do you want some? ”t hegi r lasked. “ Notyet , ”t heboysai d, “ Iwi l l eatl at er . ” “ Ar ewegoi ngf ari nt osea?Thegi r lasked. “ “ Noti nourl i ves.Thet i desatseanow ar et oocal m andwi l l t ur ni t scur r ent ssoon. ”sai dt heboy.Hesmi l edashesai dso.He wasaboyf i sher man.Theol dmansai dsot enyear sago.Hesai d soal sof i vedaysago.
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TheYoungManandTheSea
“ Sohowf arar ewegoi ng? ”t hegi r lasked. “ Asf arasi ti sr easonabl eandsensi bl et ogo. ”Theboysai d. ‘ Notsof ar ? ”sheasked. “ Wewi l lsee?Hesai dsoasnott odi sappoi nther . Thewi ndwasbl owi ngcal ml y, andt hesunwasdescendi ngand dar knesswasnotf araway, hadbegunt odescendont hel and. Hi smi ssi onwasnott of i sh,butt osai l ,t owanderi nt ot he f r i ngesoft heshal l ow wat er swi t hRosannat ot estt heboat .That wast hegi r l ’ sname.Tohi m shewasf ami l y;t heonl yonehehad gotbesi dehi sf at her , hi smot her , hi st wobr ot her sandSant i agot he ol dman. Hel ookedatt hemastwhi chwasasl ongasoner oom oft he ol dman’ sshackpoi nt i ngi nt ot heski es, spr eadagai nstt hewi ndas i tgat her edi tandheexper t l ymanoeuvr edi ti ni t ssai l .Hehad r et ool edt heboatwi t hnewcoi l edhar dbr ai dedl i nesandhehadt o t estt hem. Hehadwant edt ot akeRosanneoutf i shi ng,buthewast oo t i mi dt o askher .Butwhi l ehewascl eani ng t heboatand t he wor kmenwer er ef i t t i ngt heboat ,Rosannecameandaskedi fshe coul dsai lwi t hhi m.Hesai d‘ whynot ’ .Nowt heywer eatsea. Theyhadbeenatseaf oranhourwhenhesawabi r dci r cl i ngi n t heai r .Wi t hski l l , t heboyt heboymanoeuvr edt heboatt owar dst he t ai loft hef i shschoolashel ower edt hel i nesaf t erhehadt aught Rosannet oputasar di neont hebai t . Suddenl y, hef el tat ugont her eel .Thenassuddenl yast het ug camei tceased. Theboybr acedhi msel ff oraduel .Hemovedt hef i shi ngcoi lt o t hef r ontoft heboat .I twasbet t ert hatwayt opr eventt heboatf r om capsi zi ngi fevert hemar l i nwer et opul lt hem al ongont hesi des. Theydr i f t edwi t hManol i nmoment ar i l ypul l i ngandt uggi ngat t her eel swhent hemar l i nhadbeenpul l edi nt oaf al sesenseof f r eedom orescape.Butt hebai thookwasst i l li ti t smout h. I twast enyear soff i shi ng.Nowhehast of i ndoutbyhi msel fi f hehadl ear ntanyt hi ngf ort enyear sast heol dman' sappr ent i ce andunder st udy.Theol dmancal l edhi m aboyf i sher man.Nowhe
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Del eI keor ha:TheYoungManandt heSea
hadt oear nt hatappel l at i on.Hehadt opr ovei t :t opr ovei tt o hi msel ft hatt he ol d man was notf l at t er i ng hi m.And he had Rosannet opr ot ectnow, f arawayi nt ot heGul fSt r eam.
THEYOUNGMANANDTHESEAwr i t t enbyNi ger i an bor nAut horDELEI KEORA, i sasequeloft heCl assi c Shor tSt or yOl dManandt heSeabyNobelPr i zei n Li t er at ur eLaur eat e, Er nestHemi ngway, anddeal swi t h t hechal l engesofl i f e, t hei mpor tofambi t i on, soci al st er eot ypi ng;cour age, f or t uneandmi sf or t une, t he i mpor t anceofhar dwor k, val uesandot herval ues essent i alt ol i f eandl i vi ng.I tt r eat st hesubj ectoft he condi t i onofmanwhi chi severchangi ng. YoungManandt heSeaj ustast heOl dManandt he Seabef or ei t , cel ebr at esi nt egr i t y, honour , l ove, r espect , andpr oj ect st hedi gni t yofl abour .
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