''Now(Indicates a transition or change in focus, start of the quote [naʊ]),'' he(Referring to a male person, likely the same one as before [hi]) said(Past tense of 'say', indicating that the speaker uttered the previous words [sɛd]), when his hand(Referring to the speaker's hand [wɪn hɪz hænd]) had dried(Past perfect tense of 'dry', indicating that the hand was no longer wet [hæd draɪd]), ''I(The speaker, first person singular pronoun [aɪ]) must(Expressing obligation or necessity [məst]) eat(To consume food [it]) the small tuna(A small fish of the tuna species. End of the quote. [ðə smɔl ˈtunə]). I(The speaker, first person singular pronoun [aɪ]) can reach(To be able to extend one's arm or an object to touch or grab something [kən riʧ]) him(Referring to the small tuna [ɪm]) with the gaff(A pole with a hook on the end, used for landing fish [wɪθ ðə gæf]) and(A conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]) eat(To consume food [it]) him(Referring to the small tuna [ɪm]) here(In this place [hir]) in comfort(In a state of ease and relaxation. [ɪn ˈkəmfərt]).''
He(refers to a male person or character previously mentioned [hi]) knelt down(lowered himself to his knees [nɛlt daʊn]) and(conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) found(discovered or located something [faʊnd]) the tuna(a type of saltwater fish [ðə ˈtunə]) under(beneath or below something [ˈəndər]) the stem(the foremost part of a boat or ship [ðə stɛm]) with(used to indicate the instrument or means used [wɪθ]) the gaff(a hooked pole for landing large fish [ðə gæf]) and(conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) drew(pulled or attracted something towards oneself [dru]) it(refers to the tuna [ɪt]) toward(in the direction of [təˈwɔrd]) him(referring to the subject, 'he' [ɪm]) keeping(maintaining or ensuring a certain condition [ˈkipɪŋ]) it(referring to the tuna [ɪt]) clear(free from obstruction or contact [klɪr]) of(indicating separation or removal [əv]) the coiled lines(ropes or fishing lines arranged in a circular or spiral shape [ðə kɔɪld laɪnz]). (end of the sentence)Holding(grasping or supporting something [ˈhoʊldɪŋ]) the line(the fishing line [ðə laɪn]) with(using or by means of [wɪθ]) his(belonging to him [hɪz]) left shoulder(the shoulder on the left side of his body [lɛft ˈʃoʊldər]) again(once more; repeating an action [əˈgɛn]), (comma used to separate parts of the sentence)and(conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) bracing(supporting or steadying oneself [ˈbreɪsɪŋ]) on(supported by [ɔn]) his(belonging to him [hɪz]) left hand(the hand on the left side of his body [lɛft hænd]) and(conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) arm(the upper limb of the body [ɑrm]), (comma used to separate parts of the sentence)he(referring to the subject [hi]) took(removed or obtained [tʊk]) the tuna(the fish [ðə ˈtunə]) off(removed from [ɔf]) the gaff hook(the hook on the gaff [ðə gæf hʊk]) and(conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) put(placed or positioned [pʊt]) the gaff(the hooked pole [ðə gæf]) back(to its original position [bæk]) in place(in the correct or usual position [ɪn pleɪs]). He(referring to the subject [hi]) put(placed [pʊt]) one knee(one of his knees [wən ni]) on(on top of [ɔn]) the fish(the tuna [ðə fɪʃ]) and(conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) cut(divided or sliced with a sharp instrument [kət]) strips(long, narrow pieces [strɪps]) of(indicating the material or content [əv]) dark red meat(the flesh of the fish, having a dark red color [dɑrk rɛd mit]) longitudinally(lengthwise; in the direction of the length [longitudinally]) from(starting at [frəm]) the back(the upper part [ðə bæk]) of(indicating location [əv]) the head(the anterior part of the fish [ðə hɛd]) to(extending to [tɪ]) the tail(the posterior part of the fish [ðə teɪl]). They(referring to the strips of meat [ðeɪ]) were(past tense of 'to be' [wər]) wedge-shaped strips(pieces of meat that are wider at one end and narrower at the other [wedge-shaped strɪps]) and(conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) he(referring to the subject [hi]) cut(divided or sliced [kət]) them(referring to the strips [ðɛm]) from(starting at [frəm]) next to(adjacent to; beside [nɛkst tɪ]) the back bone(the spine of the fish [ðə bæk boʊn]) down(extending downwards [daʊn]) to(reaching [tɪ]) the edge(the outer boundary [ðə ɛʤ]) of(indicating location [əv]) the belly(the underside of the fish [ðə ˈbɛli]). When(at the time that [wɪn]) he(referring to the subject [hi]) had cut(past perfect tense of 'to cut' [hæd kət]) six strips(six pieces of meat [sɪks strɪps]) he(referring to the subject [hi]) spread(extended or distributed [sprɛd]) them(referring to the strips [ðɛm]) out(in an extended manner [aʊt]) on(on top of [ɔn]) the wood(the wooden surface [ðə wʊd]) of(indicating location [əv]) the bow(the front part of the boat [ðə boʊ]), (comma used to separate parts of the sentence)wiped(cleaned by rubbing [waɪpt]) his knife(the cutting tool he was using [hɪz naɪf]) on(on the surface of [ɔn]) his trousers(his pants [hɪz ˈtraʊzərz]), (comma used to separate parts of the sentence)and(conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) lifted(raised or picked up [ˈlɪftɪd]) the carcass(the dead body of an animal [ðə ˈkɑrkəs]) of(indicating what the carcass is [əv]) the bonito(a type of fish [ðə bəˈnitoʊ]) by(grasping or holding [baɪ]) the tail(the posterior part [ðə teɪl]) and(conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) dropped(released or let fall [drɑpt]) it(referring to the carcass [ɪt]) overboard(over the side of the boat and into the water [ˈoʊvərˌbɔrd]).
''I(beginning of a direct quote, 'I' refers to the speaker [aɪ]) don't(contraction of 'do not', indicating negation [doʊnt]) think(to have a particular belief or idea [θɪŋk]) I(the speaker [aɪ]) can(indicates ability or possibility [kən]) eat(to consume food [it]) an entire one(a whole single thing, referring to a fish or portion of food mentioned previously [ən ɪnˈtaɪər wən]),'' (end of the quote)he(a male person previously mentioned [hi]) said(past tense of 'say', indicating speech [sɛd]) and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) drew(past tense of 'draw', meaning to pull or move something [dru]) his(belonging to him [hɪz]) knife(a cutting tool with a blade [naɪf]) across(from one side to the other of something [əˈkrɔs]) one(a single item [wən]) of(part of a group or set [əv]) the(definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]) strips(long, narrow pieces [strɪps]). (end of sentence)He(the male person previously mentioned [hi]) could(past tense of 'can', indicating ability or possibility in the past [kʊd]) feel(to experience a sensation [fil]) the(definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]) steady(constant and unwavering [ˈstɛdi]) hard(requiring effort or force [hɑrd]) pull(the act of exerting force to draw something towards oneself [pʊl]) of(indicating possession or association [əv]) the(definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]) line(a rope or cord, likely fishing line in this context [laɪn]) and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) his(belonging to him [hɪz]) left(the opposite of right [lɛft]) hand(the part of the body at the end of the arm [hænd]) was(past tense of 'be', linking the subject to a description [wɑz]) cramped(experiencing a painful muscle contraction [kræmpt]). (end of sentence)It(referring to the hand [ɪt]) drew(past tense of 'draw', meaning to contract or pull in [dru]) up(towards a higher position [əp]) tight(firmly or closely [taɪt]) on(supported by or attached to [ɔn]) the(definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]) heavy(of great weight [ˈhɛvi]) cord(a thick string or rope [kɔrd]) and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) he(the male person previously mentioned [hi]) looked(past tense of 'look', meaning to direct one's gaze [lʊkt]) at(expressing direction or location [æt]) it(referring to the hand [ɪt]) in(expressing location or state [ɪn]) disgust(a feeling of revulsion or strong disapproval [dɪsˈgəst]).
''What(beginning of a question, indicating surprise or disbelief [wət]) kind(a type or sort [kaɪnd]) of(indicating possession or association [əv]) a(indefinite article, referring to any hand [ə]) hand(the part of the body at the end of the arm [hænd]) is(present tense of 'be', linking the subject to a description [ɪz]) that(referring to a specific hand [ðət]),'' (end of the quote)he(a male person previously mentioned [hi]) said(past tense of 'say', indicating speech [sɛd]). (end of sentence)''Cramp(beginning of a direct quote, an imperative statement [kræmp]) then(at that time; also used to indicate a consequence [ðɛn]) if(expressing a condition [ɪf]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) want(to desire or wish for something [wɔnt]). (end of sentence)Make(imperative form of 'make', meaning to create or transform [meɪk]) yourself(the person being addressed [ˈjɔrsɛlf]) into(expressing a change of form or condition [ˈɪntu]) a(indefinite article, referring to any claw [ə]) claw(a sharp, curved nail on an animal's foot [klɔ]). (end of sentence)It(referring to the cramping or the hand becoming a claw [ɪt]) will(indicates future tense [wɪl]) do(to perform an action [du]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) no(not any [noʊ]) good(benefit or advantage [gʊd]).''
Come(imperative form of 'come', meaning to move towards the speaker [kəm]) on(expressing encouragement or urging [ɔn]), he(a male person previously mentioned [hi]) thought(past tense of 'think', indicating internal thought [θɔt]) and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) looked(past tense of 'look', meaning to direct one's gaze [lʊkt]) down(towards a lower position [daʊn]) into(expressing direction or location [ˈɪntu]) the(definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]) dark(with little or no light [dɑrk]) water(a clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid [ˈwɔtər]) at(expressing direction or location [æt]) the(definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]) slant(a sloping position [slænt]) of(indicating possession or association [əv]) the(definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]) line(a rope or cord, likely fishing line in this context [laɪn]). (end of sentence)Eat(imperative form of 'eat', meaning to consume food [it]) it(referring to something previously mentioned, likely a fish [ɪt]) now(at the present time [naʊ]) and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) it(referring to the food being eaten [ɪt]) will(indicates future tense [wɪl]) strengthen(to make stronger [ˈstrɛŋθən]) the(definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]) hand(the part of the body at the end of the arm [hænd]). (end of sentence)It(referring to the situation or action [ɪt]) is(present tense of 'be', linking the subject to a description [ɪz]) not(negation [nɑt]) the(definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]) hand's(possessive form of 'hand' [hændz]) fault(responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing [fɔlt]) and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) have(auxiliary verb indicating present perfect tense [hæv]) been(past participle of 'be' [bɪn]) many(a large number of [ˈmɛni]) hours(units of time, each consisting of sixty minutes [aʊərz]) with(in the company of [wɪθ]) the(definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]) fish(an aquatic animal [fɪʃ]). (end of sentence)But(conjunction introducing a contrasting statement [bət]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) can(indicates ability or possibility [kən]) stay(to remain in a place or condition [steɪ]) with(in the company of [wɪθ]) him(referring to the fish [ɪm]) forever(for all time; without end [fərˈɛvər]). (end of sentence)Eat(imperative form of 'eat', meaning to consume food [it]) the(definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]) bonito(a type of fish [bəˈnitoʊ]) now(at the present time [naʊ]).
He(refers to a male person or character previously mentioned or understood in the context [hi]) picked up(to lift or take hold of something [pɪkt əp]) a piece(a portion or fragment of something [ə pis]) and(used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) put it(placed the piece [pʊt ɪt]) in his mouth(inside the oral cavity [ɪn hɪz maʊθ]) and(connector [ənd]) chewed it(to crush or grind with the teeth [ʧud ɪt]) slowly(at a slow pace [sˈloʊli]). It(referring to the piece he chewed [ɪt]) was not unpleasant(not causing displeasure; somewhat agreeable [wɑz nɑt ənˈplɛzənt]).
Chew it well(masticate thoroughly [ʧu ɪt wɛl]), he thought(what he was thinking [hi θɔt]), and(conjunction [ənd]) get all the juices(extract all the liquid or flavor [gɪt ɔl ðə ˈʤusɪz]). It(referring to the piece he is eating [ɪt]) would not be had to eat(to consume as food [tɪ it]) with a little lime(with a small amount of lime juice [wɪθ ə ˈlɪtəl laɪm]) or(alternative [ər]) with lemon(with lemon juice [wɪθ ˈlɛmən]) or(alternative [ər]) with salt(with salt [wɪθ sɔlt]).
''How do you feel, hand(asking about the hand's condition [haʊ du ju fil hænd])?'' he asked(he inquired [hi æst]) the cramped hand(the hand experiencing muscle spasms or tightness [ðə kræmpt hænd]) that(relative pronoun referring to the hand [ðət]) was almost as stiff as rigor mortis(nearly as rigid as the stiffening of muscles after death [wɑz ˈɔlˌmoʊst ɛz stɪf ɛz ˈrɪgər ˈmɔrtɪs]). ''I'll eat some more for you(I will consume more on your behalf [aɪl it səm mɔr fər ju]).''
He(refers to a male person or character previously mentioned or understood in the context [hi]) ate(past tense of 'eat'; consumed food [eɪt]) the other part(the remaining portion [ðə ˈəðər pɑrt]) of the piece(of the fragment [əv ðə pis]) that(relative pronoun referring to the piece [ðət]) he had cut in two(he had divided into two parts [hi hæd kət ɪn tu]). He chewed it(He masticated it [hi ʧud ɪt]) carefully(with attention and precision [ˈkɛrfəli]) and then(and subsequently [ənd ðɛn]) spat out(ejected from the mouth [spæt aʊt]) the skin(the outer covering [ðə skɪn]).
''How does it go, hand(asking about the hand's condition or progress [haʊ dɪz ɪt goʊ hænd])? Or(alternative [ər]) is it too early(is it premature [ɪz ɪt tu ˈərli]) to know(to have information or understanding [tɪ noʊ])?''
He(refers to a male person or character [hi]) took(past tense of 'take', meaning to grasp or seize [tʊk]) another(one more; an additional one [əˈnəðər]) full(complete; containing as much as possible [fʊl]) piece(a portion or part of something [pis]) and(used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) chewed(past tense of 'chew', meaning to crush with the teeth [ʧud]) it(refers to the piece [ɪt]).
''It(refers to the fish [ɪt]) is(present tense of 'be', linking the subject and predicate [ɪz]) a(indefinite article, referring to any strong full-blooded fish [ə]) strong(having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks [strɔŋ]) full-blooded(vigorous and powerful [full-blooded]) fish(an aquatic animal [fɪʃ]),'' (end of the quote)he(refers to a male person or character [hi]) thought(past tense of 'think', meaning to have an opinion or belief [θɔt]). ''I(first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]) was(past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) lucky(having good fortune [ˈləki]) to(used to express purpose or intention [tɪ]) get(to obtain or receive [gɪt]) him(refers to the fish [ɪm]) instead(in place of [ˌɪnˈstɛd]) of(expressing the relationship between two things [əv]) dolphin(a marine mammal [ˈdɑlfən]). (end of the sentence)Dolphin(a marine mammal [ˈdɑlfən]) is(present tense of 'be' [ɪz]) too(also; excessively [tu]) sweet(having a sugary taste [swit]). (end of the sentence)This(refers to the fish [ðɪs]) is(present tense of 'be' [ɪz]) hardly(barely; scarcely [ˈhɑrdli]) sweet(having a sugary taste [swit]) at(expressing location or time [æt]) all(entirely; completely [ɔl]) and(used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) all(entirely; completely [ɔl]) the(definite article, referring to a specific strength [ðə]) strength(the quality or state of being physically strong [strɛŋθ]) is(present tense of 'be' [ɪz]) still(continuing to be [stɪl]) in(expressing location or containment [ɪn]) it(refers to the fish [ɪt]).''