Pelaio Txipiroiak

THE CHEF MADE HIS INDEX FINGERS INTO LITTLE HOOK SHAPES AND JERKED ONE UP AND DOWN, THEN THE OTHER. THIS IS HOW THE OLD MEN CATCH THE BABY SQUID,’ HE SAID. THEY TEASE THEM TO THEIR BAIT. THEY BRING ME PERHAPS HALF A DOZEN. BUT THEY ARE ALWAYS SO SMALL AND BEAUTIFUL.’ THE OLD MEN WHO BROUGHT HIM THEIR CATCHL WERE TRULY OLD — RETIRED FISHERMEN TOO FRAIL TO GO TO SEA AND TOO WEDDED TO THE WATER TO LEAVE IT. THEY SPENT THEIR DAYS SITTING ON THE WHARVES AND BREAKWATERS WATCHING THE FISHING FLEET