The old man gazed out at the sea and reminisced…
And he certainly had plenty to remember!
He used to be considered the luckiest fisherman in the village. His boat—light, reliable, and fast—had come to his rescue more than once in difficult times.
And his wife was always there to meet him on the shore…
At first, she was alone. Then she came with the children…
The years spared no one.
The children left for the city and settled there.
And his wife…
She is no longer here. The old man always felt that she hadn’t died, but had gone out to sea…
And now he gazes out into the distance of the sea and hopes that she will return…
And if she doesn’t return, then he himself will sail far out to sea.
To her, his beloved.
Sometimes the sea sends waves crashing onto the shore, and it seems to the old man that she is calling him
Calling him to her.
Then the old man strokes his boat with his weakened hand and asks it:
“Can you take me to her?”
And the boat, its oarlocks creaking, seems to answer the old man:
“Of course I will. And I’ll stay there with you.”
And the old man’s heart feels lighter.
In the evening, he goes home to pass the night, and in the morning he goes back to the shore, sits at the side of his faithful companion, and watches the waves that bring news from his wife…