I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) could(used to indicate possibility or potential [kʊd]) just(exactly or precisely [ʤɪst]) drift(to be carried slowly by a current of air or water [drɪft]), (pause in the sentence)he(referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]) thought(past tense of 'think', expressing a mental process or opinion [θɔt]), (pause in the sentence)and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) sleep(a condition of rest for the body and mind [slip]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) put(move to or place in a particular position [pʊt]) a bight of line(a loop or curve in a rope or line [ə baɪt əv laɪn]) around(surrounding; in a circular direction or position about [əraʊnd]) my(belonging to or associated with the speaker [maɪ]) toe(one of the digits of the foot [toʊ]) to(expressing motion in the direction of (a particular location or thing [tɪ]) wake(to emerge from sleep; cease to sleep [weɪk]) me(used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]). But today(on this day [təˈdeɪ]) is(third person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) eighty-five days(a period of eighty-five days [eighty-five deɪz]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) should(used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness, typically when criticizing someone's actions [ʃʊd]) fish(the activity of catching fish, typically for sport or commercial purposes [fɪʃ]) the day(the specific day being referred to [ðə deɪ]) well(in a good or satisfactory way [wɛl]).
Just(exactly [ʤɪst]) then(at that time; immediately after [ðɛn]), (pause in the sentence)watching(keeping one's eyes on something; observing [ˈwɑʧɪŋ]) his(belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hɪz]) lines(fishing lines; ropes used in fishing [laɪnz]), (pause in the sentence)he(referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]) saw(past tense of 'see'; perceived with the eyes [sɔ]) one of the projecting green sticks(one of the green sticks that extends outwards [wən əv ðə prɑˈʤɛktɪŋ grin stɪks]) dip(to lower or drop something [dɪp]) sharply(suddenly and noticeably [ˈʃɑrpli]).
''Yes(affirmative response [jɛs]),'' he(referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]) said(past tense of 'say'; uttered words [sɛd]). ''Yes,'' and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) shipped(to bring (something) on board a ship or boat [ʃɪpt]) his(belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hɪz]) oars(long, flat-bladed poles used for rowing a boat [ɔrz]) without(in the absence of; not having [wɪˈθaʊt]) bumping(striking or colliding with something [ˈbəmpɪŋ]) the boat(the small vessel used for transportation on water [ðə boʊt]). He reached out(extended his arm [riʧt aʊt]) for(expressing purpose or intended goal [fər]) the line(the fishing line [ðə laɪn]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) held(past tense of 'hold'; grasped or supported with the hands [hɛld]) it(referring to the line [ɪt]) softly(gently; with little force [ˈsɔftli]) between(in the space separating (two things [bɪtˈwin]) the thumb(the short, thick first digit of the human hand [ðə θəm]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) forefinger(the finger next to the thumb; index finger [ˈfɔrˌfɪŋgər]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) his(belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hɪz]) right hand(the hand on the right side of the body [raɪt hænd]). He felt(past tense of 'feel'; perceived or experienced [fɛlt]) no(not any; not one [noʊ]) strain(a force tending to pull or stretch something to an extreme or damaging degree [streɪn]) nor(used to introduce a further negative statement [nɔr]) weight(a body's relative mass or the quantity of material contained by it, giving rise to a downward force; the heaviness of a person or thing [weɪt]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) he(referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]) held(past tense of 'hold'; grasped or supported with the hands [hɛld]) the line(the fishing line [ðə laɪn]) lightly(with little weight or force [ˈlaɪtli]). Then it(referring to the pull on the line [ɪt]) came(past tense of 'come'; moved or traveled toward or into a place thought of as near or familiar to the speaker [keɪm]) again(another time; once more [əˈgɛn]). This time it(referring to the pull on the line [ɪt]) was(past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) a tentative pull(an experimental or uncertain pull [ə ˈtɛntətɪv pʊl]), (pause in the sentence)not(used to express negation, denial, refusal, or prohibition [nɑt]) solid(firm and stable in shape; not liquid or fluid [ˈsɑləd]) nor(used to introduce a further negative statement [nɔr]) heavy(of great weight; difficult to lift or move [ˈhɛvi]), (pause in the sentence)and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) he(referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]) knew(past tense of 'know'; be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information [nu]) exactly(in an accurate or correct manner [ɪgˈzæktli]) what(asking for information specifying something [wət]) it(referring to the pull on the line [ɪt]) was(past tense of 'be' [wɑz]). One hundred fathoms down a marlin(a large predatory billfish of warm seas [ə ˈmɑrlɪn]) was(past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) eating(consuming food [ˈitɪŋ]) the sardines(small, oily fish [ðə sɑrˈdinz]) that(used to introduce a defining or restrictive clause [ðət]) covered(placed over or on top of something [ˈkəvərd]) the point(the sharp end of something [ðə pɔɪnt]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) the shank(the main part of the hook [ðə ʃæŋk]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) the hook(a curved or bent device for catching, holding, or pulling something [ðə hʊk]) where(at or in which place or situation [wɛr]) the hand-forged hook(a hook made by hand using forging techniques [ðə hand-forged hʊk]) projected(extended outward beyond something else [prɑˈʤɛktəd]) from(indicating a starting point [frəm]) the head(the front part of the small tuna [ðə hɛd]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) the small tuna(a relatively small tuna fish [ðə smɔl ˈtunə]).
The(definite article, referring to a specific old man [ðə]) old(advanced in years; having lived for a long time [oʊld]) man(an adult male human [mæn]) held(past tense of 'hold', meaning to grasp or support with the hands [hɛld]) the line(referring to the fishing line [ðə laɪn]) delicately(with great care and sensitivity [ˈdɛləkətli]), and(conjunction, connecting two similar words or phrases [ənd]) softly(gently; with a light touch [ˈsɔftli]), with his left hand(using his left hand to perform the action [wɪθ hɪz lɛft hænd]), unleashed(released; freed from restraint [ənˈliʃt]) it(referring to the fishing line [ɪt]) from the stick(releasing the line from a stick it was attached to [frəm ðə stɪk]). Now(at the present time; at this moment [naʊ]) he(referring to the old man [hi]) could(past tense of 'can', indicating ability or possibility [kʊd]) let(allow; permit [lɛt]) it(referring to the fishing line [ɪt]) run(move freely [rən]) through(passing from one side to the other [θru]) his fingers(the digits of his hand [hɪz ˈfɪŋgərz]) without(not having; lacking [wɪˈθaʊt]) the fish(referring to the fish [ðə fɪʃ]) feeling(experiencing; sensing [ˈfilɪŋ]) any(some; one or more [ˈɛni]) tension(stress; strain [ˈtɛnʃən]).
This far out(At a considerable distance from the shore [ðɪs fɑr aʊt]), he(referring to the old man [hi]) must be(expressing a strong possibility or logical conclusion [məst bi]) huge(extremely large; enormous [juʤ]) in this month(during the current month [ɪn ðɪs mənθ]), he thought(indicating the old man's internal thought [hi θɔt]). Eat(imperative form of 'eat', meaning to consume food [it]) them(referring to the bait or sardines [ðɛm]), fish(addressing the fish [fɪʃ]). Eat them(repeating the imperative, emphasizing the desire for the fish to eat [it ðɛm]). Please(expressing politeness or entreaty [pliz]) eat(consume food [it]) them(referring to the bait [ðɛm]).
How fresh(expressing the degree of freshness [haʊ frɛʃ]) they are(referring to the bait or sardines [ðeɪ ər]) and(conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]) you(addressing the fish [ju]) down there(in the deep water below [daʊn ðɛr]) six hundred feet(a measurement of depth [sɪks ˈhənərd fit]) in that cold water(describing the water's temperature [ɪn ðət koʊld ˈwɔtər]) in the dark(without light [ɪn ðə dɑrk]). Make(perform; execute [meɪk]) another turn(an additional rotation or movement [əˈnəðər tərn]) in the dark(without light [ɪn ðə dɑrk]) and(conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]) come back(return to the previous location [kəm bæk]) and(conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]) eat(consume food [it]) them(referring to the bait [ðɛm]).
He(referring to the old man [hi]) felt(past tense of 'feel', meaning to perceive through touch [fɛlt]) the light(not heavy; gentle [ðə laɪt]) delicate(fine; subtle [ˈdɛləkət]) pulling(the act of drawing or tugging [ˈpʊlɪŋ]) and(conjunction, connecting two sensations [ənd]) then(at that time; next [ðɛn]) a harder pull(a stronger tug [ə ˈhɑrdər pʊl]) when(at the time that [wɪn]) a sardine's head(the head of a sardine, used as bait [ə sardines hɛd]) must have been(expressing a logical conclusion about a past event [məst hæv bɪn]) more difficult(harder to do [mɔr ˈdɪfəkəlt]) to break(to separate into pieces [tɪ breɪk]) from the hook(detaching from the fishing hook [frəm ðə hʊk]). Then(after that [ðɛn]) there was(indicating existence [ðɛr wɑz]) nothing(no thing; absence of anything [ˈnəθɪŋ]).
''Come on(An expression used to encourage or urge someone or something to do something [kəm ɔn]),'' the old man(Referring to an elderly male [ðə oʊld mæn]) said aloud(Spoke in a voice loud enough to be heard [sɛd əˈlaʊd]). ''Make another turn(Requesting to make one more rotation or attempt [meɪk əˈnəðər tərn]). Just smell them(An instruction to perceive the odor of something [ʤɪst smɛl ðɛm]). Aren't they lovely(A question expressing admiration or delight [ˈɑrənt ðeɪ ˈləvli])? Eat them good(Eat them well or thoroughly [it ðɛm gʊd]) now and then(Occasionally; from time to time [naʊ ənd ðɛn]) there is the tuna(Indicating the presence of tuna [ðɛr ɪz ðə ˈtunə]). Hard and cold and lovely(Describing the tuna's texture, temperature, and appealing quality [hɑrd ənd koʊld ənd ˈləvli]). Don't be shy, fish(Encouraging the fish to not hesitate [doʊnt bi ʃaɪ fɪʃ]). Eat them(An instruction to consume the bait [it ðɛm]).''
He waited(He remained in place or paused, expecting something [hi ˈweɪtɪd]) with the line(Holding the fishing line [wɪθ ðə laɪn]) between his thumb and his finger(Specifying how he held the line [bɪtˈwin hɪz θəm ənd hɪz ˈfɪŋgər]), watching it(Observing the line [ˈwɑʧɪŋ ɪt]) and the other lines(Also observing the other fishing lines [ənd ðə ˈəðər laɪnz]) at the same time(Simultaneously [æt ðə seɪm taɪm]) for the fish(Because the fish [fər ðə fɪʃ]) might have swum up or down(Possible movements of the fish in the water column [maɪt hæv swəm əp ər daʊn]). Then came(Subsequently occurred [ðɛn keɪm]) the same delicate pulling touch(A gentle sensation of being tugged [ðə seɪm ˈdɛləkət ˈpʊlɪŋ təʧ]) again(Once more [əˈgɛn]).
''He'll take it(A prediction that the fish will bite the bait, 'He'll' is a contraction of 'He will' [hil teɪk ɪt]),'' the old man(Referring to an elderly male [ðə oʊld mæn]) said aloud(Spoke in a voice loud enough to be heard [sɛd əˈlaʊd]). ''God help him(A prayer or wish for divine assistance [gɑd hɛlp ɪm]) to take it(To successfully consume the bait [tɪ teɪk ɪt]).''
He did not take it(The fish did not bite the bait [hi dɪd nɑt teɪk ɪt]) though(However; nevertheless [ðoʊ]). He was gone(The fish disappeared [hi wɑz gɔn]) and the old man(Referring to an elderly male [ənd ðə oʊld mæn]) felt nothing(Experienced no sensation or pull on the line [fɛlt ˈnəθɪŋ]).
''He(Quotation marks indicating the start of dialogue, followed by the pronoun 'He' referring to a male individual [hi]) can't(Contraction of 'cannot', indicating inability or impossibility [kænt]) have gone(Indicates disbelief or denial that someone has left [hæv gɔn]),'' he said(Attribution of the preceding statement to a male speaker [hi sɛd]). ''Christ(An exclamation, often used to express surprise, frustration, or emphasis [kraɪst]) knows(Implies that only God knows something, emphasizing the speaker's uncertainty [noʊz]) he can't(Repetition of 'he cannot', reinforcing the speaker's disbelief [hi kænt]) have gone(Further emphasis on the impossibility of someone leaving [hæv gɔn]). He's(Contraction of 'He is', referring to the same male individual [hiz]) making(Engaging in or performing an action [ˈmeɪkɪŋ]) a turn(Changing direction or behaving in a particular way [ə tərn]). Maybe(Expressing possibility or uncertainty [ˈmeɪbi]) he has been hooked before(Suggesting a past experience of being caught or deceived [hi həz bɪn hʊkt ˌbiˈfɔr]) and he remembers something of it(Implying that past experience influences current behavior [ənd hi rɪˈmɛmbərz ˈsəmθɪŋ əv ɪt]).