Retold by:Alena Gage

Once upon a time,There was an old man and his fishing line. Far out in the sea, he was free as could ever be.His son was fast asleep.The old man was tired as well, and he slowly began to drift off into a deep dream.“Psst..” Startled, the old man looked around, the darkness made it hard to see.“Hey! Over here!”Finally the old man fixed his eyes upon a bird.

The old man had always loved and respected nature. As a result, he would sometimes release the fish he caught back into the sea. However, he could not understand why a bird was talking to him.“..Yesss?…” The old man said shaking.“Don’t be afraid, I am here to help you, as you are about to help me.”“I am?” replied the old man.“Yes, you are. I am Hark, keeper of the Sea.”“Mine is Santiago.” Keeper…. of this fishing rod.”The bird straightened up and smiled.“I know exactly who you are. We have been waiting for you for 84 years.” “I have been watching you since you were a child. I know you are brave, and I know you are gentle, yet strong.”

Santiago went blank. He paused for a moment.“ Am I dreaming?” asked Santiago.“No, you are not.” replied Hark.“What do you want help with,” questioned Santiago.“There is a prophecy that a man will catch the Leo.”“The Leo?” asked Santiago in confusion.“The Leo is what the sea calls it,” said Hark“It is the biggest Marlin in the sea,” continued Hark.

“ What is wrong with Leo?” Santiago asked.

Hark became quiet for a moment, and then explained.

“The sea was once free and there was peace.Then one year, everything changed. The Leo came and exposed the sea to darkness. There was no match for him. I have lost many dear friends who have tried to fight him. He has promised that if anyone can catch or defeat him, he will leave the sea in peace once again, forever.”

Hark looked at Santiago with hope.“If you catch him, he will consider it as his defeat.”Santiago knew he could not leave until he restored peace.

“I will try to fulfill the prophecy,” responded Santiago.“Eat this, it will give you strength,” said Hark as he dropped tuna from his beaks.“Thank you,” said Santiago.“No, thank you,” Hark said as he flew away.

Two days later,Santiago still had no sign of the Leo. His neck and back were sore from the long two days of sitting and sleeping in the same spot. He was afraid that he would let the Sea down.

He was even more afraid for his son who had become terribly sick. He had to turn back. Santiago had no choice. They would leave first thing in the morning.

At dawn, Santiago was wide awake. He had not fallen asleep that night.As Santiago drowned himself in his disappointment for not catching the Leo, Hark flew onto the boat.“Your boy needs to go home, Santiago.”“We leave after breakfast,” said Santiago.There was silence.Santiago felt a pull on the fishing rod.His heart lit up with hope.Hark exclaimed, “My Santiago! that is the Leo!”Santiago was filled with joy.“What do I do with him?” asked Santiago.“You must cut the fishing line.”“What about the hook?”

“If the Leo apologizes for bringing darkness to the sea, the sea itself will take it out with ease,” replied Hark.

So Santiago cut the line and watched the sun rise brighter than it ever had.

Peace had been restored. Hark promised Santiago a safe return home with his son.

And everyone lived fishly ever after.

Alena Gage was born on May 29, 1998 in Yaroslavl,Russia. Alena is 16 and lives currently in Green bay, Wisconsin. She has six brothers and one sister. She loves composing piano music and helping babies or small children who have special needs. She also enjoys photography,Fencing, and writing poetry. One of her favourite authors who has inspired her is Henry David Thoreau.

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