It(Refers to a previously mentioned situation or event [ɪt]) encouraged(Gave someone confidence or hope [ɪnˈkərəʤd]) him(Referring to a male individual previously mentioned [ɪm]) to talk(To express oneself verbally [tɪ tɔk]) because(For the reason that; since [bɪˈkəz]) his back(The posterior part of the body [hɪz bæk]) had stiffened(Become rigid or inflexible [hæd ˈstɪfənd]) in the night(During the hours of darkness [ɪn ðə naɪt]) and(Conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) it hurt(Caused physical pain [ɪt hərt]) truly(Genuinely; really [ˈtruli]) now(At the present time [naʊ]).
''Stay(Remain in a particular place or condition [steɪ]) at my house(At my residence or dwelling [æt maɪ haʊs]) if you like(If it pleases you; if you wish [ɪf ju laɪk]), bird,'' he said(Attribution of the preceding words to a male speaker, addressing a bird [bərd hi sɛd]). ''I am sorry(Expressing regret or remorse [aɪ æm ˈsɑri]) I cannot hoist(Unable to raise or lift [aɪ ˈkænɑt hɔɪst]) the sail(A piece of material extended on a mast to catch the wind and propel a boat or ship [ðə seɪl]) and take you in(To bring someone or something inside, in this context, onto the boat [ənd teɪk ju ɪn]) with the small breeze(A gentle wind [wɪθ ðə smɔl briz]) that is rising(Increasing in intensity [ðət ɪz ˈraɪzɪŋ]). But(However; on the contrary [bət]) I am with(In the company of [aɪ æm wɪθ]) a friend(A person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection [ə frɛnd]).''
Just then(At that precise moment [ʤɪst ðɛn]) the fish(An aquatic animal [ðə fɪʃ]) gave(To perform an action [geɪv]) a sudden lurch(An abrupt, unsteady movement [ə ˈsədən lərʧ]) that pulled(Exerted force to bring something or someone closer [ðət pʊld]) the old man(An elderly male [ðə oʊld mæn]) down onto(Towards a lower position on [daʊn ˈɔntu]) the bow(The forward part of a boat or ship [ðə boʊ]) and(Conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) would have pulled(Indicates a hypothetical action that almost happened [wʊd hæv pʊld]) him(Referring to the old man [ɪm]) overboard(Over the side of a boat or ship into the water [ˈoʊvərˌbɔrd]) if(Conditional conjunction [ɪf]) he had not braced(Prepared oneself physically or mentally for something challenging [hi hæd nɑt breɪst]) himself(Referring to the old man [hɪmˈsɛlf]) and given(Provided or released [ənd ˈgɪvɪn]) some line(A length of rope or cord, in this context, fishing line [səm laɪn]).
The bird(Refers to a specific bird, likely previously mentioned or understood in context [ðə bərd]) had flown(Past perfect tense of 'fly', indicating the bird had already flown away before another action occurred [hæd floʊn]) up(Indicates upward movement [əp]) when(Conjunction indicating the time at which something happened [wɪn]) the line(Refers to a fishing line [ðə laɪn]) jerked(Moved suddenly and abruptly [ʤərkt]) and(Conjunction connecting two related events [ənd]) the old man(Refers to an elderly man, likely the main character [ðə oʊld mæn]) had not even seen(Indicates that the old man did not see something at all [hæd nɑt ˈivɪn sin]) him(Refers to the bird [ɪm]) go(Leave or fly away [goʊ]). He(Refers to the old man [hi]) felt(Past tense of 'feel', indicating he used his sense of touch [fɛlt]) the line(Refers to the fishing line [ðə laɪn]) carefully(With attention and caution [ˈkɛrfəli]) with(Preposition indicating the instrument used [wɪθ]) his right hand(Specifies which hand he used [hɪz raɪt hænd]) and(Conjunction connecting two related observations [ənd]) noticed(Became aware of [ˈnoʊtɪst]) his hand(Refers to the old man's hand [hɪz hænd]) was bleeding(Indicates that his hand was losing blood [wɑz ˈblidɪŋ]).
''Something(Indicates an unspecified thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ]) hurt(Past tense of 'hurt', meaning caused pain or injury [hərt]) him(Refers to the fish [ɪm]) then(At that time; indicates a conclusion based on previous events [ðɛn]),'' he(Refers to the old man [hi]) said(Past tense of 'say', indicating he spoke [sɛd]) aloud(In a voice loud enough to be heard [əˈlaʊd]) and(Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]) pulled back(Applied force to draw something towards oneself [pʊld bæk]) on the line(Refers to the fishing line [ɔn ðə laɪn]) to see(In order to determine [tɪ si]) if(Conjunction introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]) he(Refers to the old man [hi]) could turn(Was able to change the direction of [kʊd tərn]) the fish(Refers to the fish he is trying to catch [ðə fɪʃ]). But(Conjunction introducing a contrast [bət]) when(Conjunction indicating the time at which something happened [wɪn]) he(Refers to the old man [hi]) was touching(Was nearly reaching [wɑz ˈtəʧɪŋ]) the breaking point(The point at which something will break or fail [ðə ˈbreɪkɪŋ pɔɪnt]) he(Refers to the old man [hi]) held steady(Maintained a constant position or force [hɛld ˈstɛdi]) and(Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]) settled back(Leaned back or relaxed against [ˈsɛtəld bæk]) against(In opposition to or resisting [əˈgɛnst]) the strain(The force or tension [ðə streɪn]) of the line(Refers to the fishing line [əv ðə laɪn]).
''You're(Contraction of 'you are', referring to the fish [jʊr]) feeling(Experiencing physically or emotionally [ˈfilɪŋ]) it(Refers to the strain or pain [ɪt]) now(At the present time [naʊ]), fish(Addressing the fish directly [fɪʃ]),'' he(Refers to the old man [hi]) said(Past tense of 'say', indicating he spoke [sɛd]). ''And(In addition to what was previously stated [ənd]) so(Likewise or similarly [soʊ]), God knows(An expression indicating certainty or emphasis [gɑd noʊz]), am I(Indicates that he is also feeling the strain or pain [æm aɪ]).''
He(Refers to the old man [hi]) looked around(Turned his head to view the surroundings [lʊkt əraʊnd]) for(In search of [fər]) the bird(Refers to a specific bird, likely previously mentioned [ðə bərd]) now(At the present time [naʊ]) because(Conjunction introducing a reason [bɪˈkəz]) he(Refers to the old man [hi]) would have liked(Expresses a past desire or wish [wʊd hæv laɪkt]) him(Refers to the bird [ɪm]) for company(To have someone or something to alleviate loneliness [fər ˈkəmpəˌni]). The bird(Refers to the specific bird [ðə bərd]) was gone(Had disappeared or left [wɑz gɔn]).
You(refers to the person being addressed [ju]) did not stay(past tense of 'do not stay', indicating that someone left relatively quickly [dɪd nɑt steɪ]) long(for an extended period of time [lɔŋ]), the man thought(an internal thought of the man, indicating his reflection on the situation [ðə mæn θɔt]). But(introduces a contrasting statement [bət]) it is(refers to the journey or the conditions ahead [ɪt ɪz]) rougher(more difficult or challenging [ˈrəfər]) where(in the place that [wɛr]) you are going(the destination or the path being taken [ju ər goʊɪŋ]) until(up to the point that [ənˈtɪl]) you make(when you reach [ju meɪk]) the shore(the land near a body of water [ðə ʃɔr]). How(in what way or manner [haʊ]) did I let(how did I allow [dɪd aɪ lɛt]) the fish(the marine animal [ðə fɪʃ]) cut(to wound or slice with a sharp object [kət]) me(the speaker [mi]) with(by means of [wɪθ]) that one(a particular [ðət wən]) quick pull(sudden, rapid tug [kwɪk pʊl]) he made(the fish performed [hi meɪd])? I(the speaker [aɪ]) must be(it is likely that I am [məst bi]) getting(becoming [ˈgɪtɪŋ]) very stupid(lacking intelligence or understanding [ˈvɛri ˈstupɪd]). Or(alternatively [ər]) perhaps(maybe [pərˈhæps]) I was looking(I was directing my gaze [aɪ wɑz ˈlʊkɪŋ]) at(towards [æt]) the small bird(a tiny avian creature [ðə smɔl bərd]) and(connecting two thoughts [ənd]) thinking(contemplating [ˈθɪŋkɪŋ]) of him(about the bird [əv ɪm]). Now(at this moment [naʊ]) I will pay(I intend to give [aɪ wɪl peɪ]) attention(focus or concentration [əˈtɛnʃən]) to(towards [tɪ]) my work(the task at hand [maɪ wərk]) and(and also [ənd]) then(after that [ðɛn]) I must(it is necessary for me to [aɪ məst]) eat(consume as food [it]) the tuna(a type of fish [ðə ˈtunə]) so that(in order that [soʊ ðət]) I will not have(I will avoid [aɪ wɪl nɑt hæv]) a failure(a lack or deficiency [ə ˈfeɪljər]) of strength(physical power [əv strɛŋθ]).
''I wish(expresses a desire or longing [aɪ wɪʃ]) the boy(a young male person [ðə bɔɪ]) were here(was present in this location [wər hir]) and(in addition to [ənd]) that(introduces a clause expressing a wish [ðət]) I had(I possessed [aɪ hæd]) some salt(a quantity of sodium chloride, used for seasoning [səm sɔlt]),'' he said(he spoke [hi sɛd]) aloud(in a voice that can be heard [əˈlaʊd]).
Shifting(moving or adjusting [ˈʃɪftɪŋ]) the weight(the heaviness or load [ðə weɪt]) of the line(referring to a fishing line [əv ðə laɪn]) to(towards [tɪ]) his left shoulder(the part of the body on the left side, between the neck and upper arm [hɪz lɛft ˈʃoʊldər]) and(connecting two actions [ənd]) kneeling(being in a position with one or both knees on the ground [ˈnilɪŋ]) carefully(with caution and attention [ˈkɛrfəli]) he washed(he cleaned with water [hi wɑʃt]) his hand(the part of the body at the end of the arm [hɪz hænd]) in(inside [ɪn]) the ocean(the sea [ðə ˈoʊʃən]) and(and then [ənd]) held(kept [hɛld]) it(his hand [ɪt]) there(in that position [ðɛr]), submerged(underwater [səbˈmərʤd]), for(during a period of [fər]) more than(exceeding [mɔr ðən]) a minute(a unit of time [ə ˈmɪnət]) watching(observing [ˈwɑʧɪŋ]) the blood trail(the path of blood in the water [ðə bləd treɪl]) away(moving further off [əˈweɪ]) and(and also [ənd]) the steady movement(the constant motion [ðə ˈstɛdi ˈmuvmənt]) of the water(the liquid in the ocean [əv ðə ˈwɔtər]) against(in opposition to [əˈgɛnst]) his hand(the part of the body at the end of the arm [hɪz hænd]) as(while [ɛz]) the boat(a vessel for traveling on water [ðə boʊt]) moved(progressed through the water [muvd]).
''He(Beginning of a direct quote. 'He' refers to a male person previously mentioned or understood in the context. [hi]) has slowed(indicates a decrease in speed or activity [həz sloʊd]) much(significantly; to a great extent, end of the quote [məʧ]),'' he(refers to the speaker, a male person [hi]) said(past tense of 'say', indicating that the speaker uttered the previous words. [sɛd]).
The old man(Refers to an elderly male character [ðə oʊld mæn]) would have liked(Expresses a desire or wish in the past that was not fulfilled [wʊd hæv laɪkt]) to keep his hand in(To continue participating or being involved in something [tɪ kip hɪz hænd ɪn]) the salt water(Water containing salt, typically seawater [ðə sɔlt ˈwɔtər]) longer(For a greater duration of time [ˈlɔŋgər]) but(A conjunction indicating a contrast or exception [bət]) he(Referring to the old man [hi]) was afraid(Feeling fear or apprehension [wɑz əˈfreɪd]) of another sudden lurch(A sudden, unsteady movement or jerk [əv əˈnəðər ˈsədən lərʧ]) by the fish(Caused by the fish [baɪ ðə fɪʃ]) and(A conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) he(Referring to the old man [hi]) stood up(Rose to a standing position [stʊd əp]) and(A conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]) braced himself(Prepared himself physically and mentally for something difficult [breɪst hɪmˈsɛlf]) and(A conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]) held his hand up(Raised his hand [hɛld hɪz hænd əp]) against the sun(To shield his eyes from the sun's glare. [əˈgɛnst ðə sən]). It(Refers to the line burn [ɪt]) was only(Just; merely [wɑz ˈoʊnli]) a line burn(A burn caused by a fishing line [ə laɪn bərn]) that(A relative pronoun referring to the line burn [ðət]) had cut(Past perfect tense of 'cut', indicating a completed action in the past [hæd kət]) his flesh(His skin. [hɪz flɛʃ]). But(A conjunction indicating a contrast [bət]) it(Referring to the line burn [ɪt]) was(Past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) in the working part(The area of the hand used for tasks [ɪn ðə ˈwərkɪŋ pɑrt]) of his hand(Possession, referring to the old man's hand. [əv hɪz hænd]). He(Referring to the old man [hi]) knew(Past tense of 'know', indicating awareness [nu]) he(Referring to the old man [hi]) would need(Future tense of 'need', indicating a requirement in the future [wʊd nid]) his hands(Referring to the old man's hands [hɪz hænz]) before this(Prior to the current situation or event [ˌbiˈfɔr ðɪs]) was over(Completed; finished [wɑz ˈoʊvər]) and(A conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) he(Referring to the old man [hi]) did not like(Past tense of 'not like', indicating a dislike [dɪd nɑt laɪk]) to be cut(To have his skin broken or injured [tɪ bi kət]) before it(Prior to the current situation or event [ˌbiˈfɔr ɪt]) started(Began. [ˈstɑrtɪd]).