Let’s re-read a book called “The Old Man and The Sea” written by Ernest Hemingway.
“You can’t catch a fish.”
“I don’t care. I’ll go to another boat, but I’ll still help you when I return.”
This is the belief in the old man. Even when he was despised by everyone, the boy still respected him.
One day, the boy asked the old man, “What is the biggest fish you’ve ever caught?”
The old man pointed to the ocean and said, “The biggest fish is still in the sea.”
Then the old man went to the sea, just like every day.
He went out before dawn, followed by other boats. He thought to himself, “This is a lucky day.”
At noon, he hooked a big fish. The big fish pulled his boat with great force, like a car with the engine running, dragging him for three days and three nights.
This fish was beyond the size of any fish the old man had ever caught. The battle between the fish and the old man started. The fish swam out to sea, the old man tightened the fishing line and let it drag his boat. He did not want to lose this fish. He thought of nothing else but the fish.
The fish pulled the boat for three days and nights, without resting, not eating, or sleeping.
The old man struggled against the fish until he was exhausted, but he never gave up. He told himself that he could not lose. He must catch this fish.
Finally, on the third day, the fish began to circle. The old man knew it was tired. He pulled with all his might. The fish surfaced. It was a giant marlin, bigger than his boat. He stabbed it with his harpoon. The fish’s blood dyed the sea red.
The old man tied the fish to the side of his boat and began his journey home. He was proud, thinking about the high price this fish would fetch at the market. His struggle had paid off.
But on the way back, sharks followed the blood trail. They attacked the fish. The old man fought them off with all his strength, but it was in vain. By the time he reached the shore, only the skeleton of the fish remained.
He was utterly exhausted, defeated by the forces of nature, yet he felt a sense of pride. He had caught the biggest fish of his life. He had fought bravely. He was a fisherman.
The boy saw the old man returning and ran to him. He cried at the sight of the old man’s hands, deeply cut and scarred by the fishing line. He respected the old man even more.
“Can we go fishing together again?” the boy asked.
“Of course,” said the old man, smiling. “We are still a team.”
This story is about the persistence and dignity of the human spirit. Even when faced with failure and loss, the old man did not lose his pride. He remained undefeated in his heart.
Hemingway wrote about the struggle between man and nature, reflecting on life’s challenges. The old man’s journey is a testament to the belief that no matter how many times we are knocked down, we must continue to strive and fight.
This is the essence part of “The Old Man and the Sea.” It’s not just about a fisherman catching a fish. It’s about the enduring strength of the human spirit, the courage to face challenges, and the belief in oneself, even when the world seems against you.
Remember, a man can be destroyed but not defeated.
I hope you found this book sharing session of “The Old Man and the Sea” inspiring.