The Old Man at the Bridge is a short story by Ernest Hemingway, first published in 1938. It tells the story of an elderly Spanish refugee who is fleeing the civil war in his country. He is sitting on a bridge in a small village in France, waiting for a train to take him to safety. He is accompanied by a young reporter who is interviewing him about his experiences. The old man talks about his life, his family, and his hopes for the future. He is resigned to his fate, but still holds on to a glimmer of hope. The story ends with the old man's departure, leaving the reporter with a sense of sadness and admiration for the old man's courage and resilience.
By Ernest Hemingway · First published 1938 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, War Fiction