The Legend of the Fishermen of Sicily

At the same time that Leo's treasure chest shone brightly in the fish market.

The entrance to the Marzamemi Cathedral.

Fishermen value their faith, believing that God will protect his people and ensure their safe return from the sea.

Although he was never favored by Lady Luck, Natale attended church services every week without fail.

Marzamemi's "early bird" departs early every day and returns last. Since it's not possible to go every day, it only goes once a week on Sunday mornings.

Natale has an excellent reputation in Marzamemi, and many familiar fishermen come over at the same time to chat with him about recent news.

After all, it's too difficult to see him normally; he's either at sea or on his way to sea.

"I heard you made a small fortune last week?" asked Natale, a short, stout old man wearing a flat-topped hat.

He was also a fisherman from Marzamemi, named Aurelio, and had a fleet of five men.

"Yes, we disturbed a spider crab's nest and made a small profit." After finishing his prayer, Natale hurried off, eager to get out to sea.

"I told you no one's bad luck lasts forever, your luck is on the way!" Aurelio left with him.

Natale shrugged:

"One instance doesn't prove anything."

Enzo called Aurelio's name from behind.

Natale stopped and looked back, but Aurelius, the person in question, didn't stop and walked even faster.

Enzo chased after him, grabbed Aurelius, and said menacingly:

"It's no use running away. Antonino came to me and said that we have to decide on the person to go to Messina, otherwise we won't be able to explain to the Cumanso family. This year it's your turn, and you can't escape."

In Sicily, there exists a group of maritime "old-fashioned nobles".

These people have low incomes, but extremely high status and prestige—they are descendants of the ancient harpooners who hunt swordfish, and for thousands of years their families have done only this one thing, passed down from father to son.

Harpooning swordfish with tall masts is time-consuming and laborious, and the income is not proportional to the risks. In recent years, only a handful of traditional tall mast wooden boats remain in the entire Strait of Messina.

However, the Cumanso family persisted in harpooning swordfish and became the recognized benchmark in the field.

Every summer, fishing villages on the east coast of Sicily spontaneously send people to assist the Cumanzo family in hunting swordfish. It is both a training experience and an honor.

But you have to be alive to enjoy the honor...

Harpooning from tall masts is far too dangerous. Although one can learn valuable skills such as observing ocean currents and identifying swordfish migrations on board, no one wants to go.

Sandro used to be able to fill in on his own, but as he got older, he had to be chosen from among the younger generation of fishermen.

After that, the "backbone" of Marzamemi took turns going to Messina to help out, avoiding dangerous situations, just to learn maritime knowledge that they couldn't learn in Marzamemi, and at the same time to express their respect for the Cumanso family. This year it's Aurelio's turn.

Aurelio's face looked worse than if he were crying.

"Please spare me, Enzo. I'm so old, don't make me go. I asked Bianchi, and he's willing to go!"

In July 1992, a fisherman was dragged into the sea by a 250-kilogram swordfish and died from its long snout. After that, everyone became even more terrified of spearfish hunting with tall masts.

Enzo frowned and said:

"Bianchi has gone there for three years in a row, so just let him go. As long as he stays on board and patrols, there's no danger for him if he doesn't go up to the mast."

Aurelio took off his hat, looking miserable, and said:

"What man could resist helping a large prey struggling for its life? A man like that doesn't deserve to be a fisherman!"

Humans are social animals, and when faced with uncertain dangers, they instinctively observe the reactions of those around them.

When you see everyone around you rushing forward, your brain creates the illusion that "I'm following the crowd because I'm safe."

Men who spend their lives with the sea have a fierce spirit in their bones. It may not be obvious in normal times, but it will be completely ignited when faced with a life-or-death confrontation.

Therefore, even knowing the danger and how to avoid the risks, many people are still injured or killed while spearfishing swordfish.

Natale visited Messina five years ago, and the thought of that scene still sends shivers down her spine.

"If Bianchi is willing to go, let him go this year. He's been brave since he was little and is good at using harpoons. Another opportunity to learn will be useful when he goes to sea in the future."

Enzo pointed to Natale and Aurelius and said:

"Don't you have children? Your son has been going to Messina for four consecutive years. How can anyone feel at ease?"

Natale took out a pack of cigarettes, offered one to each of them, and whispered to Enzo:

"Is Mrs. Rosa looking for you?"

Bianchi was the fifth son of Sandro and Madame Rosa, and was two years older than Bianchi.

Sandro strongly supported Bianchi's initiative to take responsibility, but his wife, Rosa, was worried about their son's safety and did not want Bianchi to go.

During these months every year, a dramatic "family ethics" story unfolds within their household.

Enzo did not reply, which was taken as tacit agreement.

"But Bianchi himself wanted to go." Aurelio glanced at Enzo's feet to make sure he was wearing shoes before continuing, "I've already talked to Bianchi, so you don't need to worry about it."

Enzo's eyes widened, and his voice rose:

"If only it were that simple. How do we explain it to Mrs. Rosa? We can't keep using 'Bianchi wants to go' as an excuse every year. He's been gone for three years already."

Aurelio muttered to himself:

"I told you there's no one more suitable than Bianchi, what else can I say? It's their family matter, don't meddle, let them handle it themselves."

"I'll deal with you first, you coward!" Enzo grabbed at Aurelio's clothes.

Seeing that the two were about to fight, Natale acted as a peacemaker:

"Aurelio is indeed a bit old, so it's understandable to find someone else to replace him, but it doesn't have to be Bianchi. You guys stop fighting for now, calm down, we can handle this."

"Who are you looking for?" Enzo grabbed Aurelio by the collar with one hand and pointed at Natale's nose with the other. "Is there anyone else in Malzamemi who's good at using a harpoon and wants to go there himself? Isn't what you're saying laughable!"

In the commercial fishing industry, harpoon fishing has long been phased out.

Young kids like to spear fish, but making money that way is too slow, so nobody practices it.

Two villagers were returning from the fish market after buying seafood when they passed the church and were still talking about what they had just seen and heard.

"That little fish is less than 5 centimeters long, and the hole in its head is half the length of its body. How could they spear it up like that?"

"That's right, more than forty! It's been a long time since anyone has speared back so many fish in one day."

Aurelius gripped Enzo's wrists with both hands, his dangling legs kicking wildly in the air:

"Quick, stop them! Ask them who they're talking about!"