'Le Vieil Homme et la Mer' par E. Hemingway

'In one of the Cuban villages, there was an old fisherman called Santiago, he was brave, optimistic, and self-confident . Santiago was accompanied by a little boy named Manolin; they loved each other like a father and  son. Some fishermen were making fun of the old man, they thought that he was an unlucky man; because he did not catch a single fish in about eighty-four days, but others who knew him really felt so sorry for him. As a consequence, Manolin’s parents forbade the little boy from sailing with Santiago, and ordered their son to look for another boat. The little Manolin felt so sad and totally demoralized, but Santiago kept encouraging him not to give up, he also informed him that it was not the first time he went home without catching a single fish.

One early morning, Santiago decided to go far out onto the sea, and before his departure, the little boy brought him some coffee and wished him good luck. On the first day, Santiago hooked a big fish; he was wishing to know its size. The big fish began to pull the boat, but the old man did nothing; he was just waiting for the fish to come closer to the boat. The day went off and the fish did not come to the surface. The second day also went off without any new events; the fish was still swimming and pulling the boat. Suddenly the fish pulled the line with much strength, Santiago later noticed that both his hands were bleeding.

On the third day, the fish surfaced and jumped violently so high in the air; it was a giant marlin. Santiago was waiting for the fish to come closer, so he could kill it with his harpoon. He kept all his weapons close by and ready for use. After several attempts he finally succeeded in killing the giant fish ,then he tied it to his boat and prepared himself to go home. On his way back home, he did not feel the presence of sharks; in fact they were attracted by the blood of the giant marlin. After a long, bloody and strong fight with sharks he unfortunately lost all his weapons, even the big fish had been eaten by the hungry sharks, only the skeleton was left.

Alone, hungry and tired he sailed back home, he reached the harbour in a late hour at night, he tied his boat and went directly to his shack;there he fell on the bed.  In the morning, Manolin went to Santiago’s shack, and when he saw his bleeding hands he started crying. After a while he went out in a hurry and brought him some coffee, together they planned to go fishing again. After a short period, the little boy left the old man alone, so he could sleep in peace. Santiago was dreaming of lions'

The end

'Bonne chance' 'Good luck'