The Old Man and the Sea - If the Fish had Won

This whole story was about the great hunt and battle of wills between Santiago and the massive fish he was trying to catch. In the end Santiago finally out lasts him after being pulled out to sea for day and days by the huge fishy. In the story Santiago says several times that if the fish had just jumped or tugged at a certain time he would have easily won. That got me thinking, what if the fish had won? What would Santiago have done? Would he of fought until the very end. Plunging in to the icy ocean trying with all his strength to catch the beast. Would he have gone back to shore with day 85 under his belt? Would he have simply just stayed out to see and let himself pass on?Personally I think that had the fish pulled at the exact moments that woud have meant safety for it Santiago would have accepted the defeat with grace and humility. He most likely would have began talking to himself, saying how strong and beautiful the fish was. How much better than him it was. Most of the same stuff he does in the story when he wins. Never gloating or bragging always the humble one and always quick to compliment. Next I think he would have turned around and gone back to shore with day 85 under his belt. He probably would not have told anyone except for Manolin who was the only person he really talked to anyway. Finally I think the day after he would have gone on his routine just like normal, going fishing and hoping to break his streak or bad luck. The story definitely would have been a lot different had the fish won. I do not really know whether it would have been better or worse than the original, just very interesting. Maybe I will write an alternative ending to the story someday where the fish wins.