R.J. Ziert
12-29-2008, 09:49 PM
Something for fun, and yet something that teaches all of the right things. Rich
“The Old Man And The Sea” by, Richard Ziert 12/2008 about 475 words.
Who can deny the genius of Hemingway ? While fiction, his work is not without truth. “I know now that there is no one thing that is true - it is all true.” Ernest gave fishermen much more than meets the eye. If only we can see, we can not be blind. In teaching we must speak to the eyes, not the ears. He gave us the faith in something higher and in ourselves that comes from perseverance; the increase of understanding one day at a time.
Salt, or freshwater, the story begins the same. The old man went long days without catching fish not so much because he was not a good fisherman, nor that he did not think of the water as a great love, an intimacy unparalleled. He either caught or did not catch fish because of the choices he made each day. Surely success did not come from technology for the old man. He was poor but industrious; even making his own hand forged hooks. He knew success comes from attentiveness, consideration, and in accepting we all must do the best we can with what we have. To do anything less invites failure.
Except for the lessons taught his young protégé “ Santiago ”, he fished alone most of the time. He fished alone with the good reason of less intrusion for what had to be done.
This September day, ‘the month when the great fish come ‘ he wanted to fish far out and beyond “The Great Well” – a sudden deep where because of current and it’s swirl against the steep walls of the rising ocean floor, concentrations of bait fish were normal. He hoped by doing so, he would not be party to ordinary and that he would hook something truly big. “Anyone can be a fisherman in May.”
From preparation for the day, making ready his gear, selecting baits and rigs, the old man was every bit as smart as his years taught him. Even talking respectfully of and to his unseen prey, feeling the fish bite, and playing it just right, and dealing sharply with double-dealer intruders – the sharks - was all a part of him. But there was something missing. An ebbing of youth, and being able to physically do what had been effortlessly a part of his every day on the water. The old man thought that he may not be as strong as he thought. But he had “many tricks and resolution”.
As always, determination wills out in the end. The biggest dream of all has become his blessing, and his biggest task. His reward was clearly not in finding this fish, nor having fought so long only to lose the battle. The reward of all great endeavors is in struggle, and in finding oneself. Revisit this work of your youth. Remember your beginnings. Find yourself and many new tomorrows.
“The Old Man And The Sea” by, Richard Ziert 12/2008 about 475 words.
Who can deny the genius of Hemingway ? While fiction, his work is not without truth. “I know now that there is no one thing that is true - it is all true.” Ernest gave fishermen much more than meets the eye. If only we can see, we can not be blind. In teaching we must speak to the eyes, not the ears. He gave us the faith in something higher and in ourselves that comes from perseverance; the increase of understanding one day at a time.
Salt, or freshwater, the story begins the same. The old man went long days without catching fish not so much because he was not a good fisherman, nor that he did not think of the water as a great love, an intimacy unparalleled. He either caught or did not catch fish because of the choices he made each day. Surely success did not come from technology for the old man. He was poor but industrious; even making his own hand forged hooks. He knew success comes from attentiveness, consideration, and in accepting we all must do the best we can with what we have. To do anything less invites failure.
Except for the lessons taught his young protégé “ Santiago ”, he fished alone most of the time. He fished alone with the good reason of less intrusion for what had to be done.
This September day, ‘the month when the great fish come ‘ he wanted to fish far out and beyond “The Great Well” – a sudden deep where because of current and it’s swirl against the steep walls of the rising ocean floor, concentrations of bait fish were normal. He hoped by doing so, he would not be party to ordinary and that he would hook something truly big. “Anyone can be a fisherman in May.”
From preparation for the day, making ready his gear, selecting baits and rigs, the old man was every bit as smart as his years taught him. Even talking respectfully of and to his unseen prey, feeling the fish bite, and playing it just right, and dealing sharply with double-dealer intruders – the sharks - was all a part of him. But there was something missing. An ebbing of youth, and being able to physically do what had been effortlessly a part of his every day on the water. The old man thought that he may not be as strong as he thought. But he had “many tricks and resolution”.
As always, determination wills out in the end. The biggest dream of all has become his blessing, and his biggest task. His reward was clearly not in finding this fish, nor having fought so long only to lose the battle. The reward of all great endeavors is in struggle, and in finding oneself. Revisit this work of your youth. Remember your beginnings. Find yourself and many new tomorrows.