The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway is about Santiago, an aging Cuban fisherman who struggles to catch a giant marlin after 84 days without success. He sails far into the Gulf Stream, hooks the marlin, and engages in a grueling, three-day battle. Santiago respects the fish’s strength but ultimately kills it. On his way back, sharks attack and devour the marlin, leaving only its skeleton. Though he returns empty-handed, Santiago gains the respect of others, proving his resilience and skill as a fisherman despite his age and hardship.