Quote 133
Then he said aloud, "I wish I had the boy. To help me and to see this." (2.87)
The old man’s feelings for the boy are based on companionship.
Quote 134
His choice had been to stay in the deep dark water far out beyond all snares and traps and treacheries. My choice was to go there to find him beyond all people. Beyond all people in the world. Now we are joined together and have been since noon. And no one to help either one of us. (2.96)
The old man and the fish necessarily have companionship because of their mutual isolation from the world.
Quote 135
A small bird came toward the skiff from the north. He was a warbler and flying very low over the water. The old man could see that he was very tired.
The bird made the stern of the boat and rested there. Then he flew around the old man’s head and rested on the line where he was more comfortable.
"How old are you?" the old man asked the bird. "Is this your first trip?" (3.10-3.12)
The old man makes friends with the creatures of the sea because he identifies similarities between them and himself.