The(Definite article, referring to a specific old man [ðə]) old man(An elderly male [oʊld mæn]) still(Even now; continuing to the present [stɪl]) had(Past tense of 'have', indicating possession [hæd]) two drinks of water(Two portions of water that were consumed [tu drɪŋks əv ˈwɔtər]) in the bottle(Contained within the bottle [ɪn ðə ˈbɑtəl]) and(Conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]) he(Pronoun, referring to the old man [hi]) used(Past tense of 'use', meaning to employ something [juzd]) half of one(One half of a drink of water [hæf əv wən]) after(Following in time [ˈæftər]) he had eaten(After he consumed [hi hæd ˈitən]) the shrimps(Specific shrimps that were eaten [ðə shrimps]). The(Definite article, referring to a specific skiff [ðə]) skiff(A small boat [skɪf]) was sailing(Moving through the water using sails [wɑz ˈseɪlɪŋ]) well(In a satisfactory or pleasing manner [wɛl]) considering(Taking into account [kənˈsɪdərɪŋ]) the handicaps(The disadvantages or difficulties [ðə ˈhændiˌkæps]) and(Conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]) he(Pronoun, referring to the old man [hi]) steered(Controlled the direction of the boat [stɪrd]) with the tiller(Using the lever used to steer a boat [wɪθ ðə ˈtɪlər]) under his arm(With the tiller positioned beneath his arm [ˈəndər hɪz ɑrm]). He(Pronoun, referring to the old man [hi]) could see(Was able to see [kʊd si]) the fish(The specific fish he caught [ðə fɪʃ]) and(Conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]) he(Pronoun, referring to the old man [hi]) had only to(Only needed to [hæd ˈoʊnli tɪ]) look at his hands(Observe his own hands [lʊk æt hɪz hænz]) and(Conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]) feel his back(Sense his back [fil hɪz bæk]) against the stern(Touching the rear part of the boat [əˈgɛnst ðə stərn]) to know(In order to understand [tɪ noʊ]) that(Conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) this(Referring to the event of catching the fish [ðɪs]) had truly happened(Had genuinely occurred [hæd ˈtruli ˈhæpənd]) and(Conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]) was not(Was not [wɑz nɑt]) a dream(An experience during sleep [ə drim]). At one time(At a certain point in the past [æt wən taɪm]) when(Conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause of time [wɪn]) he(Pronoun, referring to the old man [hi]) was feeling(Experiencing a certain emotion [wɑz ˈfilɪŋ]) so badly(In a very negative way [soʊ ˈbædli]) toward the end(Near the conclusion of the struggle [təˈwɔrd ðə ɛnd]), he had thought(He had considered [hi hæd θɔt]) perhaps(Maybe; possibly [pərˈhæps]) it was(It was [ɪt wɑz]) a dream(An illusion [ə drim]). Then(Following that [ðɛn]) when(Conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause of time [wɪn]) he had seen(He observed [hi hæd sin]) the fish(The specific fish [ðə fɪʃ]) come out of the water(Emerge from the water [kəm aʊt əv ðə ˈwɔtər]) and(Conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]) hang motionless(Remain still [hæŋ ˈmoʊʃənləs]) in the sky(In the air above [ɪn ðə skaɪ]) before(Prior to [ˌbiˈfɔr]) he fell(It collapsed [hi fɛl]), he was sure(He was certain [hi wɑz ʃʊr]) there was(There existed [ðɛr wɑz]) some great strangeness(A significant oddity [səm greɪt ˈstreɪnʤnəs]) and(Conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]) he could not believe(He was unable to accept as true [hi kʊd nɑt bɪˈliv]) it(Referring to the situation [ɪt]).
Then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]) he(referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned [hi]) could not(was unable to [kʊd nɑt]) see(perceive with the eyes; discern visually [si]) well(in a good or satisfactory way [wɛl]), although(despite the fact that; even though [ˌɔlˈðoʊ]) now(at the present time; at this moment [naʊ]) he(referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned [hi]) saw(past tense of 'see'; perceived with the eyes [sɔ]) as well as(to the same extent or degree as [ɛz wɛl ɛz]) ever(at any time; at all times [ˈɛvər]). Now(at the present time; at this moment [naʊ]) he(referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned [hi]) knew(past tense of 'know'; was aware of; understood [nu]) there(in or at that place or position [ðɛr]) was(past tense of 'be'; existed [wɑz]) the fish(a specific fish, likely the one the character has been trying to catch [ðə fɪʃ]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) his(belonging to or associated with him [hɪz]) hands(the terminal part of the human arm beyond the wrist, including the fingers and thumb [hænz]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) back(the rear surface of the human body from the shoulders to the hips [bæk]) were(past tense plural of 'be'; existed [wər]) no(not any; not one [noʊ]) dream(a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep [drim]). The(definite article; referring to something specific [ðə]) hands(the terminal part of the human arm beyond the wrist, including the fingers and thumb [hænz]) cure(to relieve (a person or animal) of the symptoms of a disease or condition [kjʊr]) quickly(at a fast pace; rapidly [kˈwɪkli]), he(referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned [hi]) thought(past tense of 'think'; had a particular idea or belief in one's mind [θɔt]). I(the person speaking or writing [aɪ]) bled(past tense of 'bleed'; lost blood [blɛd]) them(referring to the hands [ðɛm]) clean(free from dirt, marks, or stains [klin]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) the(definite article; referring to something specific [ðə]) salt(a white crystalline substance that gives seawater its characteristic taste [sɔlt]) water(a colorless, transparent, odorless, and tasteless liquid [ˈwɔtər]) will(expressing the future tense [wɪl]) heal(cause (a wound, injury, or person) to become sound or healthy again [hil]) them(referring to the hands [ðɛm]). The(definite article; referring to something specific [ðə]) dark(with little or no light [dɑrk]) water(a colorless, transparent, odorless, and tasteless liquid [ˈwɔtər]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) the(definite article; referring to something specific [ðə]) true(in accordance with fact or reality [tru]) gulf(a large bay that is an arm of an ocean or sea [gəlf]) is(third-person singular present of 'be'; exists [ɪz]) the(definite article; referring to something specific [ðə]) greatest(surpassing all others in size, amount, or degree [ˈgreɪtəst]) healer(a person or thing that heals [ˈhilər]) that(used to identify a specific person or thing observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]) there(in or at that place or position [ðɛr]) is(third-person singular present of 'be'; exists [ɪz]). All(the whole of [ɔl]) I(the person speaking or writing [aɪ]) must(expressing necessity or obligation [məst]) do(perform an action, task, or activity [du]) is(third-person singular present of 'be'; exists [ɪz]) keep(continue to have in one's possession or control [kip]) the(definite article; referring to something specific [ðə]) head(the part of the body above the neck where the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth are [hɛd]) clear(easy to perceive, understand, or interpret [klɪr]). The(definite article; referring to something specific [ðə]) hands(the terminal part of the human arm beyond the wrist, including the fingers and thumb [hænz]) have done(have completed [hæv dən]) their(belonging to or associated with them [ðɛr]) work(activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result [wərk]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) we(used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself and one or more other people considered together [wi]) sail(travel in a boat or ship using sails [seɪl]) well(in a good or satisfactory way [wɛl]). With(accompanied by [wɪθ]) his(belonging to or associated with him [hɪz]) mouth(the opening in the lower part of the face, surrounded by the lips, through which food is taken in and vocal sounds are emitted [maʊθ]) shut(closed [ʃət]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) his(belonging to or associated with him [hɪz]) tail(the hindmost part of an animal, especially when prolonged beyond the rest of the body [teɪl]) straight(extending or moving uniformly in one direction only; without a curve or bend [streɪt]) up(toward a higher place or position [əp]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) down(toward or in a lower place or position, especially on or to the ground or another surface [daʊn]) we(used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself and one or more other people considered together [wi]) sail(travel in a boat or ship using sails [seɪl]) like(having the same characteristics or qualities as; similar to [laɪk]) brothers(a male sibling [ˈbrəðərz]). Then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]) his(belonging to or associated with him [hɪz]) head(the part of the body above the neck where the brain, eyes, ears, nose, and mouth are [hɛd]) started(begin or cause to begin [ˈstɑrtɪd]) to(expressing motion in the direction of (a particular location [tɪ]) become(begin to be [bɪˈkəm]) a(used when mentioning someone or something for the first time in a text or conversation [ə]) little(small in size, amount, or degree [ˈlɪtəl]) unclear(not easily understood; vague [ənˈklɪr]) 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 [hi]) thought(past tense of 'think'; had a particular idea or belief in one's mind [θɔt]), is(third-person singular present of 'be'; exists [ɪz]) he(referring to the fish [hi]) bringing(take or carry (someone or something) to a place or person [ˈbrɪŋɪŋ]) me(used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]) in(expressing movement or action with the result that someone or something becomes enclosed or surrounded by something else [ɪn]) or(used to link alternatives [ər]) am(first-person singular present of 'be'; exists [æm]) I(the person speaking or writing [aɪ]) bringing(take or carry (someone or something) to a place or person [ˈbrɪŋɪŋ]) him(used to refer to a male person or animal previously mentioned as the object of a verb or preposition [ɪm]) in(expressing movement or action with the result that someone or something becomes enclosed or surrounded by something else [ɪn])? If(on the condition or supposition that [ɪf]) I(the person speaking or writing [aɪ]) were(past tense subjunctive of 'be'; existed [wər]) towing(pulling (a boat or vehicle) along with a rope, chain, or other device [toʊɪŋ]) him(used to refer to a male person or animal previously mentioned as the object of a verb or preposition [ɪm]) behind(at or to the back of [bɪˈhaɪnd]) there(in or at that place or position [ðɛr]) would(expressing a conditional mood [wʊd]) be(exist [bi]) no(not any; not one [noʊ]) question(a sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information [kˈwɛʃən]). Nor(used to introduce a further negative statement [nɔr]) if(on the condition or supposition that [ɪf]) the(definite article; referring to something specific [ðə]) fish(a limbless cold-blooded vertebrate animal with gills and fins and living wholly in water [fɪʃ]) were(past tense subjunctive of 'be'; existed [wər]) in(expressing movement or action with the result that someone or something becomes enclosed or surrounded by something else [ɪn]) the(definite article; referring to something specific [ðə]) skiff(a shallow, flat-bottomed open boat with sharp bow and square stern [skɪf]), with(accompanied by [wɪθ]) all(used to refer to the whole quantity or extent of [ɔl]) dignity(the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect [ˈdɪgnəti]) gone(past participle of 'go'; departed [gɔn]), there(in or at that place or position [ðɛr]) would(expressing a conditional mood [wʊd]) be(exist [bi]) no(not any; not one [noʊ]) question(a sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information [kˈwɛʃən]) either(used to indicate that the speaker's statement applies equally to one or more other things or people [ˈiðər]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) they(used to refer to two or more people or things previously mentioned or easily identified [ðeɪ]) were(past tense plural of 'be'; existed [wər]) sailing(traveling in a boat or ship using sails [ˈseɪlɪŋ]) together(with or in proximity to another person or people [təˈgɛðər]) lashed(fastened or secured with a rope or cord [læʃt]) side(a position on the left or right of an object, place, or person [saɪd]) by(expressing the means whereby something is done [baɪ]) side(a position on the left or right of an object, place, or person [saɪd]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) the(definite article; referring to something specific [ðə]) old(having lived for a long time; no longer young [oʊld]) man(an adult male human being [mæn]) thought(past tense of 'think'; had a particular idea or belief in one's mind [θɔt]), let(allow or permit (someone or something) to do something [lɛt]) him(used to refer to a male person or animal previously mentioned as the object of a verb or preposition [ɪm]) bring(take or carry (someone or something) to a place or person [brɪŋ]) me(used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]) in(expressing movement or action with the result that someone or something becomes enclosed or surrounded by something else [ɪn]) if(on the condition or supposition that [ɪf]) it(used to refer to something previously mentioned or easily identified [ɪt]) pleases(cause (someone) to feel happy and satisfied [ˈplizɪz]) him(used to refer to a male person or animal previously mentioned as the object of a verb or preposition [ɪm]). I(the person speaking or writing [aɪ]) am(first-person singular present of 'be'; exists [æm]) only(and no one or nothing else; solely [ˈoʊnli]) better(of a more excellent or effective type or quality [ˈbɛtər]) than(expressing comparison [ðən]) him(used to refer to a male person or animal previously mentioned as the object of a verb or preposition [ɪm]) through(expressing the means by which someone travels or something is done [θru]) trickery(the use of tricks to deceive someone (often in order to obtain something unfairly [ˈtrɪkəri]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) he(referring to the fish [hi]) meant(past tense of 'mean'; intended to convey, indicate, or refer to (a particular thing or notion); signify [mɛnt]) me(used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]) no(not any; not one [noʊ]) harm(physical injury or damage [hɑrm]).
They(refers to previously mentioned people or things, in this context, likely the sailors [ðeɪ]) sailed(moved a boat or ship using sails [seɪld]) well(in a skillful or effective manner [wɛl]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) the old man(refers to an elderly male character [ðə oʊld mæn]) soaked(immersed or saturated in liquid [soʊkt]) his hands(the old man's hands [hɪz hænz]) in(a preposition indicating location or containment [ɪn]) the salt water(water containing salt, typically seawater [ðə sɔlt ˈwɔtər]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) tried(made an attempt or effort [traɪd]) to keep(to maintain or preserve [tɪ kip]) his head(the old man's head, referring to his mental state [hɪz hɛd]) clear(free from confusion or fogginess [klɪr]). There(used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]) were(past tense of 'to be', indicating existence [wər]) high cumulus clouds(large, puffy clouds that are tall and white [haɪ cumulus klaʊdz]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) enough cirrus(thin, wispy clouds high in the atmosphere [ɪˈnəf ˈsɪrəs]) above(in or to a higher position than [əˈbəv]) them(referring to the cumulus clouds [ðɛm]) so that(in order that; with the result that [soʊ ðət]) the old man(refers to an elderly male character [ðə oʊld mæn]) knew(was aware of; understood [nu]) the breeze(a gentle wind [ðə briz]) would last(would continue or endure [wʊd læst]) all night(throughout the entire night [ɔl naɪt]). The old man(refers to an elderly male character [ðə oʊld mæn]) looked(used his eyes to observe [lʊkt]) at(expressing direction or location [æt]) the fish(the marine animal the old man caught [ðə fɪʃ]) constantlyto make sure it was true(that it was real or genuine [ɪt wɑz tru]). It(refers to a period of time [ɪt]) was(past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) an hour(a unit of time equal to 60 minutes [ən aʊər]) before(preceding in time [ˌbiˈfɔr]) the first shark(the initial shark attack [ðə fərst ʃɑrk]) hit(struck or impacted [hɪt]) him(the old man [ɪm]).
The shark(a type of fish, often a predator [ðə ʃɑrk]) was not(negation of 'was' [wɑz nɑt]) an accident(an unintentional event [ən ˈæksədənt]). He(referring to the shark [hi]) had come up(had ascended or risen [hæd kəm əp]) from deep down(from a great depth [frəm dip daʊn]) in the water(within the body of water [ɪn ðə ˈwɔtər]) as(used to indicate that something happens during the time that something else is taking place [ɛz]) the dark cloud(a mass of something, in this case blood, that obscures light [ðə dɑrk klaʊd]) of blood(blood released into the water [əv bləd]) had settled(had sunk or descended [hæd ˈsɛtəld]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) dispersed(spread out or scattered [dɪˈspərst]) in(expressing location or position within something [ɪn]) the mile deep sea(the ocean that is a mile in depth [ðə maɪl dip si]). He(referring to the shark [hi]) had come up(had ascended or risen [hæd kəm əp]) so fast(at a high speed [soʊ fæst]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) absolutely(completely; without any doubt [ˌæbsəˈlutli]) without caution(without any care or wariness [wɪˈθaʊt ˈkɔʃən]) that(used to introduce a clause expressing a result or consequence [ðət]) he broke(he emerged through [hi broʊk]) the surface(the top layer [ðə ˈsərfəs]) of the blue water(the upper part of the ocean [əv ðə blu ˈwɔtər]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) was(past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) in the sun(exposed to sunlight [ɪn ðə sən]). Then(after that; next [ðɛn]) he fell back(he descended again [hi fɛl bæk]) into(expressing movement or direction toward the inside of something [ˈɪntu]) the sea(the ocean [ðə si]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) picked up(detected or sensed [pɪkt əp]) the scent(the smell [ðə sɛnt]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) started(began [ˈstɑrtɪd]) swimming(moving through water [sˈwɪmɪŋ]) on the course(following the path [ɔn ðə kɔrs]) the skiff(a small boat [ðə skɪf]) and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) the fish(the marine animal the old man caught [ðə fɪʃ]) had taken(had followed [hæd ˈteɪkən]).