“Why were they laughing, child?” “They said Grandfather would catch more fish at the market than he would with the Hermosa. They called it a hotel for worms and said the only way to fish was with the new ships they use at Ensenada and San Diego.”
“And how did your grandfather respond to this?”
“He ignored them, Father. He always ignores such
things and pretends they do not bother him. But I
know. It’s not the poor fishing he minds so much, I
think. But the laughter hurts him inside. Even his
friends wish he would go to Diego’s and sit with them
on the porch and play checkers and watch the tourists.”
Peralta smiled. “I know your grandfather, nina.
He is not one to sit on a porch and spend his days
staring at the sun. Now, you must not hate Jose and
98
A Miracle of Small Fishes
Felipe, or the others. They laugh because they are still young and do not know better. Since the big fishing fleet makes work for all, few in the village the age of Jose and Felipe have known hard times. They cannot understand why your grandfather would never work for another man, for a salary. When they are older they will understand.
“You must try to understand now, nina.”
“I think I do, Father,” she replied quietly, after another pause. “Father, why don’t the sardines come south anymore?”
Father Peralta considered. How could he explain the economics of managed migration and spawning and factory-ship mechanics to a nine-year-old girl?
“They do not come anymore, nina, because the great, great engines make much better livings for them in the north, at special times and places. And the big ships are so good and smart that they take all the fish above Ensenada before they can swim this far south.”