What was your first pet? A fish? A dog? A guinea pig? Those are all pretty cool. But when I was 8, I had the best pet ever! Her name was Zoey and she loved me. Our story is pretty amazing. It’s about love, rage, sadness, and grief. Today I’ll tell you about Zoey, my pet ladybug! Imagine this, it’s spring and you’re in the car with the windows down, enjoying the breeze. When a tiny ladybug lands on your arm. It’s obvious that the bug wanted to be adopted. So I did, I kept her in a clear eyeglass case. I fed her leaves and grass. I let her out daily so she could fly around and feel free. One day I let her out, and she didn’t come back. I knew something was wrong, so I searched the entire house. Upstairs, downstairs, in the bedrooms and in the restrooms. Then, I saw something in the corner of my eye. A brand new Venus Flytrap that my mother had bought on sale next to the window. I had never before seen this monster so I approached with caution. As I crept closer, I noticed that one of them had recently eaten… The house was filled with sobs that night. Later that week we had a funeral. I put out up posters all over the apartment so my family would come. We all wore black. My dad said a speech. My brother and sister sang the song “Back to my Roots” by Imagine Dragons. I thought it was very appropriate. I hoped that the Venus Flytrap would be sentenced to death for its crime. But unfortunately, the plant had a good lawyer, my mom. She claimed that plants don’t have morals. After a while, every time I walked past it, I no longer felt sorrow. I felt peace knowing that my Zoey was in Ladybug Heaven, and she gets to fly around all day, without having to worry about being eaten. Sometimes I choke up remembering Zoey. She was a great pet, and a great friend, but unfortunately she was also a great meal. I have moved on but not forgotten. I currently have a dog named Bitsy. She is wonderful, but she will never replace Zoey. And every spring when the flowers bloom, and the ladybugs emerge from their cocoons, I remember Zoey.

“He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish.” The Old Man and the Sea is a well-known classic written by Ernest Hemingway. The protagonist is the baseball-loving fisherman, Santiago. The story is set in Cuba, which provides a lens through which the audience can be part of the culture. Santiago often reminisces about his younger self and dreams of better days. His apprentice, Manolo, has moved on to a “lucky boat,” though he misses Santiago deeply. On the 84th day, he set out to sea once again. He quickly managed to secure a hold onto a large fish. Too large, in fact, for him to reel it in. He spends days holding onto the line, in constant battle with the fish. He finds his foe as his friend, but one of them must die. Throughout the book, he talks to himself and contemplates life. “‘Fish,’ he said, ‘I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends.’” When I first read The Old Man and the Sea in the 8th grade, I was deeply impacted. As I read, it felt like I was in the boat with Santiago. I could feel the sway of the waves and the smell of the salt. The unique and beautiful setting was chosen by Hemingway since he lived there for quite some time. I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Cuba, but as a Latin American, I’m able to connect with the spirit of the land. The inclusion of religion and God is a beautiful aspect. Santiago promises to say a hundred Our Fathers and a hundred Hail Marys if God will help him endure. As Santiago faces this extremely difficult trial, he is at peace. He feels sincere love for the fish and the ocean. Hemingway faced heavy trauma before eventually taking his life. In The Old Man and the Sea, I believe that Santiago was the type of man Hemingway wanted to become. Who faces adversity with peace in his heart. “‘Take a good rest, small bird,’ he said. ‘Then go in and take your chance like any man or bird or fish.’” The movie was produced in 1990, and for the most part, the movie parallels the novel. Scenes and characters are added, and they build the world instead of changing the message. Santiago having a daughter is a wonderful addition, as it adds complexity to the story. He simply wants to fish, but she wants what’s best for him. It is a beautiful yet heartbreaking situation. Antony Quinn is clearly meant for the role of Santiago. “‘If the others heard me talking out loud they would think that I am crazy,’ he said out loud. ‘But since I am not crazy, I do not care.’” The Old Man and the Sea differs from the norm because of its simplicity, seen in both the novel and movie. Many often refer to it as a “boring” book, but I argue that this reflects the overstimulation of our modern society. Reading or watching this helps me enjoy the simple aspects of life. Santiago shares this peaceful moment, and it’s a much-needed break from the high-speed atmosphere of our daily lives. The Old Man and the Sea is truly a literary and cinematic masterpiece, and more people should take time to be absorbed in this treasure of a book as well as movie. “The old man was dreaming about the lions.”