The Old Man

Ezra awoke to the familiar sounds of the ocean, the rhythmic crashing of waves against the rocky coastline stirring him from his slumber. At seventy-two years old, his body ached with the weight of a lifetime spent working the treacherous waters of the North Atlantic, but his spirit remained unbowed. With a deep breath, he rose from his bed, his weathered joints creaking as he made his way to the kitchen. As he prepared a simple breakfast of porridge and tea, Ezra's gaze drifted to the window, where he could see the small fishing boats already dotting the harbor. It was time for him to join his comrades on the sea, a ritual he had performed countless times over the course of his life. Despite the toll the years had taken on his body, Ezra took great pride in his ability to still provide for himself and his beloved daughter, Maria, on her early 50's, she is a handicapped, a polio victim. "Father, please don't go, your too old already to do fishing," she advises him with her somber face. "I can still do this, we need money to survive," Ezra replied with determination. "Time to get to work, my dear," Ezra said, offering his daughter a small smile. "The sea waits for no one, even an old man like myself." Maria returned his smile, though there was a hint of concern in her eyes. "Are you sure you're feeling up to it, Papa? Perhaps you should rest today. The fishing can be demanding, and you've been working so hard lately." Ezra waved a weathered hand dismissively. "Nonsense. I've got more life in these old bones than you might think." To demonstrate his point, he straightened his posture and strode towards the path that led down to the docks, but his gait noticeably weaker than it had been the previous day. After finishing his meal, Ezra gathered his fishing gear and made his way down to the docks, greeting the other men with a friendly nod and a few words of quiet camaraderie. Though his movements were slower and more deliberate than in his younger days, Ezra still possessed a rugged resilience that commanded the respect of his peers. As he cast his line into the churning waters, he rides in his small boat, Ezra felt a familiar sense of peace wash over him. The ocean had been his constant companion, a source of both sustenance and solace throughout his life. Even now, in the twilight of his years, the rhythmic clapping of the waves and the cry of the seabirds overhead filled him with a deep sense of belonging. Yet, as the morning wore on, Ezra found himself struggling more than usual. His limbs felt heavy, and his once-steady hands trembled with the effort of reeling in his catch. Frustrated, he paused to catch his breath, staring out at the vast expanse of the sea with tired eyes. "Damn these old bones," he muttered to himself, wiping the sweat from his brow, he can't lift the fish from his net because it was heavy. "Hey Ezra, are you okay?" Fabio called out from another boat. "I'm just fine," he called back. "I need to go a little further, I can't catch here anymore," Ezra said as he rowed his boat away from Fabio. He rowed his boat a little faster, but the truth is, he wants to go home, Maria is right, he can't do it anymore, but he doesn't want Fabio see how desperate he was for being old. Fabio just sigh when he saw Ezra struggling to row the boat. He felt pity on him, but he can't help but to continue to fish. Ezra just keeps rowing the boat, his mind was getting afloat and feeling frustrated, he felt pity on Maria. "Maybe this will be my last fishing, can't lift the fishnet anymore, I'm too old! How can I help my daughter now," he sighed desperately, while rowing, a glint of light in the distance caught his eye. Squinting, he peered closer, his curiosity piqued. Carefully, he stood and made his way to the edge of his boat, following the source of the shimmer. To his surprise, he discovered a hidden cove, its waters shimmering in the midday sun. Cautiously, Ezra guided his boat into the small inlet, his weathered hands gripping the oars with newfound vigor. As he drew closer, he noticed that the waters were remarkably clear, and a sense of tranquility seemed to emanate from the cove. He suddenly felt thirsty when he saw the clear water streaming. But when he is about to go near the stream, a big shark lurking in, and it's head went into the surface, its pace side by side as it was going to eat him. Ezra was very scared and he want to leave, but by his age, he can't turn his boat easily. "Oh no, I'm stuck!" he cried. He keeps rowing back, but he can't. Ezra felt so desperate and thought that that's it, the end of his life. The massive shark opened its mouth and its eyes staring at him constantly. Ezra can't help but to move back frustratedly. He just closes his eyes and wait for his demise. After a few moments, the horrifying noise from the shark was fading away, he gradually opened his eyes, and to his great surprised, the shark was gone deep inside the cove. Ezra felt a little sighed of relief. He was about to turn around, but when he saw the water streaming, he can't help but to stop. "It feels like I want to drink that water, I'm very thirsty!" he whispered to himself. Tentatively, he leaned over the side of the boat, dipping his weathered hand into the cool, refreshing liquid. after a little while, a surge of energy coursed through Ezra's body, and he felt a strange tingling sensation in his limbs. He cupped his hands and brought the water to his lips, taking a long, deep draught.