The Old Man and the Sea

by Ernest Hemingway

“Keep the blanket around you,” the boy said. “You’ll not fish without eating while I’m alive.” “Then live a long time and take care of yourself,” the old man said. “What are we eating?”

“Age is my alarm clock,” the old man said. “Why do old men wake so early? Is it to have one longer day?”

He was shivering with the morning cold. But he knew he would shiver himself warm and that soon he would be rowing.

It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes you are ready.

The first stars were out. He did not know the name of Rigel but he saw it and knew soon they would all be out and he would have all his distant friends. “The fish is my friend too,” he said aloud. “I have never seen or heard of such a fish. But I must kill him. I am glad we do not have to try to kill the stars.”

“I wish I had a stone for the knife,” the old man said after he had checked the lashing on the oar butt. “I should have brought a stone.” You should have brought many things, he thought. But you did not bring them, old man. Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is.

would see land. “You’re tired, old man,” he said. “You’re tired inside.”