What Happens When A Book Becomes A Hope-Inspiring Tattoo Upon The Skin of Your Existence?
Answer: Pure Joy
The magic happens when a beautifully written book meshes with your life at exactly the perfect time. Every page connects with your own desires for adventure — your own longings. The characters in the story grab you and make you wish for things noble and beautiful. As you read, the book becomes more than simply a book; it becomes a pathway for life, a hope-inspiring tattoo upon the skin of your existence.
The Old Man Man And The Sea by Ernest Hemingway is the story of an aging fisherman from Cuba in the 1940s. He has fished his entire life, living this simple existence with patience, thoughtfulness, humility, and fortitude. Fishing means failure. Many times he has returned from the sea empty-handed, but he presses on, never letting disappointment ruin him.
Late in his life, the old man develops a friendship with a boy who clearly loves him. The old man passes on his skills while the boy helps to lift tired hands. For 84 days, the old man has been unlucky — no fish caught at all during that span. He encourages the boy to go with fishermen who are luckier than he is. On that fateful day, the old man sets off alone. Predictably, he hooks the biggest fish of his storied career. A 48-hour battle between man and beast takes place, with neither competitor successful in the end. During the struggle to land the fish, the old man carries on entertaining and enlightening conversations with himself, the fish, Joe DiMaggio and the boy whom he misses terribly. Not once does he despair, get angry, or even consider quitting. He arrives home physically broken and completely exhausted. The boy cries when he sees the old man’s condition and hears the story. He helps to mend his wounds and sees that he is properly cared for, promising never to fish with anyone else but the old man ever again.
Hemingway’s book connected because my son and I are really into fishing, so the adventure jumped off the page for us. Also, I aspire to have the courage and character qualities of the old man. My son loves me dearly, and like the boy, will do anything to help me, not just in fishing but in life. Together we are a team, me passing on wisdom, and he helping me when my strength fails. The Old Man And The Sea is the masterful telling of an epic battle between a noble beast and a determined man, but its greater value to me is the uncovering of a beautiful bond between an old man and a boy, Something I am lucky enough to have with my son. Thanks to the book, my heart fills up with gratitude and the deepest kind of joy, whether we land the big fish or not.