Fisherman By Denis Vinnik

Woken up by the first sunbeams,

he swiftly dressed in his favourite clothes and went down the stairs, only to be met by his beloved wife and his son, who had just learned how to walk. After a hearty breakfast of a well-buttered croissant and a steaming bowl of oatmeal, topped with a sprinkle of nutmeg and a handful of plump, juicy berries, he spent several hours with his family. Then, he stepped into the wide world of opportunities and cheerfulness. The sun was high in the sky, casting its precious golden rays upon him, and not a single cloud was ready to disturb its toil. As he traversed the streets, everyone seemed to smile at him, making his own smile even wider. The joyful sounds of seagulls and the strong waves foreshadowed his approach to the sunny coast.

He had always loved this bizarre town and the wide sea that brought people tranquillity, as well as his beloved seafood. Finally, he stepped onto the port's sturdy wooden boards, ready to get down to his business at his fishing cabin. After completing his tasks, he was ready to set out to sea in his trusty, red-painted boat named "Joy." It had been loaded up with equipment the night before by his dearest wife, so he could get right to fishing. Untying the rope, he took his place at the captain's wheel, and so began his bon voyage.

Crudely woken up by the sun, he dressed in his well-worn, wrinkled clothes and went down the creaking stairs, meeting his wife and son on the way to the kitchen. Still feeling hungry after his usual breakfast of one oily croissant and a bowl of mushy oatmeal, topped with nutmeg and some bitter berries, he was forced by his wife to spend some family time with them. After several gruelling hours, he stepped out into the narrow streets of this filthy town. The summer sun was trying its best to turn him into Boeuf Bourguignon, without a single cloud ready to challenge its toil. As he traversed the streets, everyone seemed to be smiling, making his misery grow even more because of his envious nature. The seagulls’ screeches and the seaweed-filled waves foreshadowed his approach to the coast.

Even though he loved this outlandish town when he was much younger, it was starting to wear on him, and the sea was beginning to feel like a dump, with all the tourists throwing their trash there year after year. Finally, he stepped onto the port's squeaky wooden boards, slowly making his way to his crooked fishing cabin. Upon entering the cabin, he was met with a mountain of paperwork that had to be completed before he could get to fish. It took him several hours before he could get into his boat to begin his fishing session. The boat had been preloaded by his wife, only missing some heavy items that she couldn’t lift. Untying the weak rope, he took his place at the captain's wheel, and so began his routine workday.