Hemingways ~
The Old Man and the Sea
Modified short story by: Kiera Meidenbauer
Eighty days without a single fish. Santiago had long ago believed his luck had run out. Mustering up the feelings of joy he previously had on other fishing outings, he decided to go out once more in hope of catching a fish. He decided he would go out tomorrow. That night he dreamed of a grand fish swimming around under the waves just waiting to be caught.
The next day the weather was hot and bright as Santiago came down to the shore. The sun was just glazing the waves as he set out. Rowing at a steady pace, the water started growing darker as he moved further away from shore. Finally satisfied with his positioning, He set to work preparing his bait hopeful of catching a huge fish.
“This time for sure!” Santiago said as he lowered the bait into the water. Looking up toward the sky he pondered how long it would be before he caught his next fish. A slight tug on the line quickly brought his attention back to his bait. The feeling of something large moving under the boat prickled the hairs on the back of Santiago’s neck. Scales gleamed underneath the waters surface.
“What is that?� Santiago said aloud. The gleam of scales appeared again, closer to the boat this time, almost rolling underneath the waves. After the fish appeared and disappeared a couple more times, it did not resurface. Santiago sighed and sat down in the boat. Was his luck really out he thought sadly.
Suddenly the water began to swirl as the huge body returned. Santiago excitedly stood up again and watched his line very closely.
The Silver and Blue scales of the mighty fish flashed as it leaped out of the water swallowing Santiago's bait and diving back into the deep blue waves. The fight had begun. Santiago losing his footing, nearly gets pulled into the water after the Giant Marlin. Fighting to regain his footing he begins to quickly reel in the fish. Of course the Marlin trying to get away swims away from the boat. Not wanting to lose such a magnificent fish Santiago reels in with all his might finally bringing the Marlin close to the boat.
The Marlin in a final attempt to get away jumps out of the water. But Santiago being Prepared for this jerks his line, pulling the fish into the boat. The Marlin now defeated lay in the bottom of the boat. He had finally done it. After eighty days of nothing he had finally caught a fish.
Making his way back to shore, Santiago finally noticed the sun was starting to set. When he arrived at shore the sun was set and he was a proud man, for he had done what others thought he could not and he was proud. After he was done taking care of his catch he made his way back to his house, ate and went to sleep. After he closed his eyes he dreamt, dreamt of the magnificent fish he had caught that day.
About the Author Hello My name is Kiera A. Meidenbauer from Sussex, Wi. I am 15 years old. I have many hobbies, a few of them are, reading, cooking, writing short stories, swimming, volunteering and just about anything else you could think of. I have a big family which includes four other siblings, four + pets and two parents. I love the outdoors, nature and wildlife. Frankly if I could I would get outside everyday and go hiking on our local bugline. This past Summer I actually got my first paid job, which was in the kitchen at Camp Long Lake during the summer camp season. I must say it was a long summer full of fun and frustration. We had a huge number of scouts each week and there was almost always work to be done in the kitchen. But the kitchen crew and I got it done and everyone was happy. Though there were a couple of times I wish I were home it was fun aside from one time at night when a woodchuck visited me in my tent and tried eating my sleeping bag WHILE I was sleeping in it! That was scary. But the rest of the summer was amazing and full of good memories.
Pictures From: Pages 1, 3-9 and 12: Google Images: The Old Man and the Sea Page 2: Google Images: Fish Images
Hemingways
The Old Man and the Sea