Nicostratos The Pelican
I want to tell you a story that changed my life.
This is Zora. A small Greek island discoved in the 17th century
by French pirates.
Life is good on Zora, and we can stay the winter here.
Today Zora is a small village on the slope of the mountain.
Village life seems to revolve around Cafe Aristotle.
Everyone knows everyone, news spreads quickly,
and stories are passed on from generation to generation.
All the inhabitants of the island remember the never-ending love
between my parents: Demostenes and Antonia.
On their wedding day,
my father give his wife the golden family cross.
When my mother died, she left me this symbolic cross.
My name is Yannis. My story begins on that day.
Keep up! Stick to my rear wheel and keep pedalling!
Mediatation is great, but occasionally you have to move your legs.
- Go, go, go, go! - What did he say?
We're supposed to cycle standing.
We should get out of the saddle, out of the saddle.
Come on, come on!
Stop the chatter, save your breath,
the biggest climb is about to start.
And forward, maximum effort,
one, two, one, two, one, two...
Come on, a bit further, a bit further.
One, two, one, two, one two...
Now I understand the martyrdom of Christ on Golgotha.
Hello Father Foma.
Hello Yannis!
Don't pedal so fast, Father Kosmas, the others can hardly keep up.
Yes, I know they all have soft knees!
Whare are you doing? Are you going to the mainland?
Yes, I have to get something for my father, and you?
This evening is the Orthodox seminary for the archipelago.
I have to be there!
Keep up: one, two, one, two,
one, two, one, two. In the name of Zeus!
- Hello Yannis! - Hello Giorgios!
- Do they need loading? - Yes.
Stop, what do you want?
I want to see the captain.
The captain? Come with me.
I'll get him. Wait here.
You're sweet!
But you stink!
Hey, you shouldn't be here. You've got some nerve.
He's thirsty, I just want to give him something to drink. Do you have any water?
Come out of there. Where's Raki?
He's up there.
Are you the smuggler? I expected someone older.
I'm not a smuggler, Raki's from here. I get 60 euros.
Where did you get the bird? I've not seen one like that before.
None of your business. Here, take this and get lost.
Give the bird to me, I'll take care of him.
Well, you're very sly!
The bird is a collector's item. It's worth a lot.
How much?
60 euros!
If I don't have the money, I'll be in trouble with my father.
What's that cross?
This? Would you take that instead?
Let's see. Is it gold?
Of course, it's gold!
It was from my mother. She died three years ago.
And you'll exchange it for a bird that is half-dead?
I like half-dead birds.
And you father won't tear this ship apart when you tell him?
I'm not telling him. I give you my word of honour.
He doesn't care about me anyway.
This is better than being in a crate, right?
I'll have to hide you. My father doesn't like animals in the house.
Was this the right decision? Was it really a good idea
to swap my mother's golden cross for a half-dead
stinky young bird?
Shit, my father's already back!
But my mother would have forgiven me
for trading the family heirloom
to save this beautiful bird's life.
But my father? That's another story.
Hello, Kitza!
Stay there. I have to help my father. Keep hidden.
Kitza, go away.
Come on, go!
Look at this. A miserable catch.
- Kitza. - What is she looking for?
Kitza! Kitza! No idea. Maybe she was in the sun for too long.
Did you refill the tank?
I'm sorry, I forgot.
You're sorry. Being sorry is not enough.
And don't forget to repair the nets.
Kitza! Leave him alone!
Go away! Come on, get lost!
The funny thing with horns is called a goat.
They're not very smart, but they're useful for making cheese.
You'll get used to her.
You must be hungry. Excitement makes you hungry.
Is bread with milk alright?
You're a strange bird. You have a beak like a swan,
feet like a duck, and a throat like a frog.
And your behind looks like a chicken!
Here!
No, it tastes good!
Here, you can sniff at him.
This is a bird, not a goat. She's jealous!
I'll wear this in place of the golden cross.
Don't betray me.
You can sleep in here. Don't worry, my father never comes into my room.
You have a very strong beak. Stop it, no!
You're hungry? Tomorrow, after my father goes fishing.
Then I'll give you something.
But don't make any noise. If my father finds you, he'll kill us.
He can be very angry!
Come here.
I knew you were a seabird.
I'll give you the name of a ship: Nicostratos.
Yes, that sounds good. Nicostratos!
This was no ordinary bird. He was funny and touching at the same time.
To which species did he belong?
He looked like a cross between ostrich and dog,
or like a swan suffering from larngitis.
There was only one man who could answer my questions: Father Kosmas.
An extraordinary priest who knew all the bird species.
Good afternoon, Father Alexis.
Good afternoon, Yannis.
I'd like to see Father Kosmas.
Oh, is it urgent?
Yes, actually.
- I'd like to show him something. - All right, come along.
As you know, squid squirt out a cloud of black ink,
which they secrete from their ink sack.
And this very valuable substance we mix with our rice.
It's easy.
Here, look at this beautiful colour!
Incredible!
Now and again we are very serious, gentlemen!
Rice with squid ink is a fully-fledged meal,
rich in protein.
And with a few glasses of wine, that is food for the Gods.
Don't cook it too long.
Yannis, you're early today.
Sit down, children, sit down!
So what do you want to show me?
A bird.
Oh, what sort of bird?
I don't know, so I've brought him with me.
Here! Have a look!
A Pelecanus onocrotalus
A what?
A Pelecanus onocrotalus. The Latin name for the Great White Pelican.
Where did you get it?
From the captain of the "Steni Papades".
He's a really mean guy.
If he gave it to you for nothing, then maybe he's not so mean.
He didn't give it to me. I had to give him something in return.
What?
My gold cross.
The one your mother left you?
Was that wrong?
No, it was right. A piece of jewellery is merely a dead object.
But he will soon grow.
Pelicans are very large animals and can easily reach 1.6 metres.
Wingspan?
No, in body size. These are giant birds!
Now take care of him. And then you return to us.
Well, you're a giant bird!
Come on kids, lunchtime is over. Get out your notebooks.
Kitza! No!
Crap! Eight o'clock!
Keep snoring. I'll take care of you when I'm back.
Come on, eat your vegetables.
No, I don't like the taste.
Look!
- Hello, Mrs Karoussos - Good day, Yannis.
- But this is not a cucumber! - I beg your pardon?
This is a small gherkin!
Did you grow this dwarf in your garden?
Listen, Father Kosmas, if my cucumber doesn't suit you,
then go shopping at Kiki.
- Good day, Mr Aristotle. - Hello, Yannis.
Well, that looks poor. Don't you have any squid?
Oh, don't mock. This is all fresh fish.
Given how rude you are to the sea, it doesn't surprise me
that the fish shun you!
Hey, did you make this?
Yes, with my goat.
It provides the fertilizer for the vegetables and the milk for the cheese.
Hello, Demosthenes!
- What are you wearing? - My work clothes.
Take them off immediately. You can't trade in work clothes.
Oh, Demosthenes, leave him be. You'll scare off the customers.
What?
He can't sell in just his underwear, right?
Come on, stop grouching at your son.
Look at yourself in the mirror!
Stay out of this. I'm raising Yannis as I want. Got it?
Do you get it?
After my mother's death, my father changed a lot.
He could be silent for days.
I was happy to have a new friend.
I decided to put Nico in the shed
and knock a hole through from my room
so I could reach him quickly.
He grew rapidly and became stronger and more beautiful every day.
On Zora, life follows the rhythm of the seasons:
In autumn there are mushrooms,
in winter, chestnuts.
We took advantage of everything our island offered us.
- This is for you, Father Alexis! - Thank you.
Nicos also benefited. But it was becoming harder to hide him.
Slowly, don't be so greedy. What a glutton you've become.
Yes, give me a hug.
I have to work, but we can also play.
We need to order a pump from Athens. Will you write the letter for me?
Yes Dad.
This is the address:
Georgios Karbounis, Motor Boat "Piraeus".
- Have you got that? - Yes.
Athens, Port District.
My engine is a Yanmar, 48 horsepower.
My engine is a Yanmar...
Get out of here!
48 horsepower.
Are you writing?
Of course!
The injection pump is broken.
Scram! Go, go!
- Are you listening to me? - Yes, yes.
Please let me know if you have one in stock.
And then you sign: Demosthenes Kuzmanovic.
Kuzmanovic.
Nico's arrival has turned our lives upside down.
The first victim was Kitza who has taken a bit of a beating.
Living together did not get off to a good start.
They fought a ruthless battle.
Horn against beak,
beak against horn.
The stronger one winning.
Each one defending his territory.
After viewing each other with contempt,
my two friends finally made peace.
But with my father, it was becoming increasingly more difficult.
Now you have to learn to fly.
You'll see, it's not hard at all. Look at me, I'll show you.
You spread your wings, and you lift off. Come on.
Open your wings and hop!
Come on, let's go!
Hop, hop!
You're such a lazy bird!
Come on. Here, catch!
No, no, you can't eat it. Come on!
Come on, run. Run, run.
Oh shit, my father is coming. Quick, hide, hide.
- What is this bird? - A pelican. This is my bird.
And where did you get it?
It's complicated.
So this is what you do all day, right? You play with a bird.
I do my chores. And I take care of it. What's wrong with that?
Where did he go now?
Into the shed. He sleeps there.
Who did you get him from? Don't lie to me, Yannis!
I bought him from the captain of the "Steni Papades".
Bought?
I've exchanged him for something.
What for?
Mama's cross.
You exchanged Antonia's cross for a pelican?
And this? What's this? What's this?
What's this?
Papa, Papa, Papa, Papa!
Father.
Daddy, leave him alone!
Quick, run away! Fly!
Father!
Father...
Pelican!
Get out of here!
Quick, the remedy.
If I see that pelican again, I'll kill it!
Again!
The cross!
It's broken!
Nicos!
You're back! Where have you been?
Nicos, my Nicos!
We can't make any noise.
Otherwise we'll arouse your worst enemy.
Don't be afraid. We won't be separated again.
I'll take you to Myrta. It's beautiful.
No, wait for me.
No, wait!
Soon you'll be able to fly, Nicos.
And since then, Father no longer speaks to me.
Listen to me,
this is normal, it had to happen. But actually, it's a good thing.
- But why? - Hold the corner. Yes, it's good.
Your father now knows. The truth came to light, and everything will work out.
That would surprise me, Father Kosmas.
My father is angry about the cross and that I lied. He will never forgive me.
Just have patience, Yannis. Yes?
It's easy for you. You don't have to live with him.
Everything will be fine.
He whispered it from up there!
Are you sure you understood it right?
Nicos!
Nicos was finally able to fly.
I envied him that he could see our island from above.
He had become a great, beautiful bird!
But I also realized that he wouldn't remain unnoticed.
Hey, that was great, Nicos!
But you still need to practice your landings.
Promise me not to fly too far.
I don't want to lose you, my Nicos.
This is a pelican, isn't it, Papa? A pelican?
I saw it first.
No, I did!
Hello, Demosthenes. Everything alright?
Can you deliver a box of mackerel on Thursday and two squid?
You can forget the squid.
The kids are a bit lively. Did you give them ice cream?
It's because of the mysterious pelican. The whole village is talking about it.
We saw him flying over Mount Pharos.
Damn it, that's enough. Stop with the drama.
Children like pelicans. They're really beautiful birds. 80, isn't it?
How is Yannis? We haven't seen him for a while. Is he alright?
Yes, what is he doing?
... six, seven, eight, nine...
How was the market? Did you sell much?
Not much, not particularly.
I don't know what people want. They don't buy anything anymore.
And what is your plan for tomorrow? What are you doing tomorrow?
- Tomorrow? - Yes, tomorrow.
I've got to go to the monastery to clean the icons.
Father Kosmas is expecting me, he's relying on me.
Should I turn on your music?
The ferry was full tonight of tourists who want to see the pelican.
This is a catastrophe for our island, isn't it Aristotle?
More like a stroke of luck!
This is like the Flood, friends.
The animals have already started to assemble in pairs. Has it started yet?
Not yet, the teams are just entering. What can I get for you?
Raki!
It's a gift from heaven, this pelican!
Vassilis, today we're talking about the game, not the pelican.
Otherwise go out on the terrace!
Silence, silence!
It's starting!
Uncle!
Angeliki! My niece!
Good evening!
She's cute, isn't she? My brother's daughter.
She's earning a little pocket money here during the holidays.
Look at the way she talks to the Germans.
Wonderful, isn't it? Wonderful!
Want some glasses?
Sorry?
Behave yourself!
Aristotle, what do you think of me?
- You're hardly an Orthodox priest! - Oh, don't exaggerate!
And be careful in the sun.
Typical Zora, no reception!
- How much is your cheese? - 2.40 euros.
Look! What's that?
That's impossible!
Oh, no, Nicos. Don't come here.
No, you can't stay here. Fly away again, fly away.
- Does it eat cheese? - What is it, an albatross?
No, a pelican!
Wow, it's great!
Oh, it's landed on the roof!
Does he belong to you? Why didn't you say anything?
He belongs to no-one, but he is my friend. Get out of here!
You're impossible, why won't you listen to me?
Come on. Make room for him, please stand aside.
Come on. Come on, fly away.
Fly! Go to the grotto!
Incredible!
Bravo! Look at it go! A beautiful bird!
With that, your son can make a bunch of money!
This pelican is a gift from heaven!
Get lost! Get lost! Come on, go!
Yannis! Come, I'll get you something to drink! Tell us about your bird!
No, thank you, I have customers. I can't just leave the stand alone!
Well, when it comes to business!
It's not every day that Aristotle gives away drinks.
You should have grabbed it.
I'm Angeliki. The boss' niece. Any you?
Yannis.
Angeliki! I can't do everything myself!
Relax, uncle!
Don't call me "uncle". It's unprofessional!
Relax, uncle!
I have to help him. I saw you on your strange tricycle.
I'd like to go for a ride sometime. Any chance of that?
Clear off!
The piston's broken.
Tomorrow you'll go down to the village.
- What's it called? - Nicostratos.
Is he tall? How big is he?
He's very tall. 1.60 metres.
Does he eat hamburgers?
He doesn't eat meat. He's a seabird.
Hello! How are you today? Already accustomed to being famous?
Come, help me, help me!
My uncle is always talking about you.
Yesterday he had the best sales of his whole...
His whole life!
When he saw all the cash, he had tears in his eyes.
Did you leave your pelican at home?
He doesn't live with me. My father doesn't want that.
- Oh no? - He lives somewhere else on the island.
- Where, then? - I'd rather not say that.
Of course. I only asked because I've been asking everything about you.
I hate bees! As a child I was stung, I almost died.
I was swollen like a whale.
I went to the hospital and all the nurses came to me.
I was the absolute sensation.
And that was really stupid. And my friends say today,
I was the most swollen girl of all time.
Angeliki, do you think you could be a little more punctual?
And do the work for which you get a lot of money from me?
Lots of money? Are you increasing my wages, Uncle?
Come up for a minute, Yannis!
I want to buy your cheese!
He doesn't give up, my uncle.
He wants to talk to you about the pelican. I'm quite sure about that.
Orange juice? I'll buy you one! Sit there.
You can whistle for your pelican, that doesn't bother me.
Angeliki, you can squeeze oranges for the star of the island.
Use ripe ones, and give him a straw!
A straw! Then he's definitely important, Uncle!
That bird makes a crazy impression on the customers, no?
They talked about him all night.
Angeliki told me.
And brought you a big profit, right?
That's none of your business. Profits remain a secret.
But that's nothing shameful. Business is just business.
Speaking of business. Are you coming with Nicostratos about 5pm?
Before that it is much too hot. Because the tourists take a siesta.
In the late afternoon, people like to pay for a photo of him.
If you pose in front of the terrace, it looks fabulous at sunset.
A little earner for you, yes? I don't ask for anything.
There you are, an O-juice. With a straw.
Oh, or without a staw!
Might I know why you're laughing?
I smile, Uncle. There's a small difference.
What's so funny?
Well, think about it, yes?
I'm sorry?
She would like to photograph your bird.
She wants to pay for the photo, you should accept it.
No, tell her I'm not interested. But thank you anyway.
Do you have a great personal fortune, or are you just stupid?
You're just like your uncle. Money isn't everything in life!
What is she saying?
She says she thinks your bird is beautiful.
Tell her, I already knew that before.
Her little niece is sick and couldn't come,
but their favourite birds have always been the pelicans!
She would certainly look forward to a photo of her aunt with pelican.
Come on, stop being a jerk!
Well, alright. But only one photo.
Oh, there's Nicostratos!
This is a bit more than you get for goat's cheese. Right?
Hello Kitza!
I'm going to Thira for the grape harvest, and tomorrow too.
Will you be gone long?
As long as is necessary. I must because we need money.
The time will pass quickly.
Kitza, you're annoying.
My dad needs to go farther and farther.
You don't care, you don't need diesel.
We will help my father.
And so Zora became the "Pelican Island".
More and more tourists came to see what Aristotle,
the owner of the only cafe on the island, never failed to deliver.
He made plenty of profit from the new attraction.
We want a photo, together with him.
Everyone with him!
Everyone? Oh, but that will be expensive. I'll have to get the pocket calculator.
Nicostratos excelled himself, which was good for the business.
Even if the profit remained a secret.
Oh, she's swimming in work, the little one! Great, no?
You'll need to take on more temporary staff.
Are you crazy? To fill the state coffers?
No, Angeliki is part of the family.
Since there is always cash on hand, if you know what I mean.
Uncle, if you want to help, don't force yourself!
She is still a beginner. She is not yet used to so much work.
Here, this is your share!
Are you crazy? Who do you think I am?
For a great manager. Don't you want the money?
Do you have a great personal fortune, or are you just stupid?
My Uncle...
Can I have the day off tomorrow? I would like to go shopping with Yannis.
What? But it's the high season, do you want to ruin me?
Oh, you're running the show just like a real boss!
You're quick and you have everything in sight.
You can chat with the guests who like you!
And you don't have to pay me!
Bye-bye, Aristotle!
Look, that's the freighter where I bought Nicostratos.
- The port police caught him. - The police, why?
The captain was dumping old oil into the sea. A very bad guy.
How much did he want for Nicostratos?
I exchanged him for my mother's gold cross.
- And was she happy about that? - She died three years ago.
You don't have a mother? Who do you talk to?
Let's go.
I'm sorry. I often talk nonsense and then I feel guilty.
It's OK. You're my only friend. You're worth it.
What did you father say when he learned the gold cross was gone?
He was angry. But I'm used to it. He's insufferable!
Athens, we are here!
Faster, faster! Go on, go on!
Hoppa-hoppa-hopp!
Come on, relax a bit!
Scream something. Come on, scream!
- Let's go! - Let's go!
Well, what's there?
We'll meet up with my cousin, who's really cool!
What are you doing here? And who's your friend?
This is Yannis!
- Let's dance? - Yes.
Aren't you coming?
No! Dancing isn't for me!
Me neither!
You've still got the labels on.
All right?
Oh, boy!
Yannis! Look!
Here, you sleepyhead!
That's my cross. Where did you get it?
Found it. Saw something glittering on the street by my feet, and bingo, your cross!
No, of course not.
I bought it from the captain of the "Steni Papades" while you slept.
You were along in the middle of the night in the harbour? You're really crazy!
No, no, my cousin was there. My bodyguard. He would die for me!
I'll never forget you.
Did it cost you a lot?
Oh, I worked my charms, you know me!
Now you can not blame me any more.
Take me to Myrta!
You really never let go, right?
Wow!
Where's Nicostratos?
He's hiding!
I'm insanely hungry. When are we eating?
It takes a little more time. We have to catch the food first.
What, we catch our lunch?
This is quite high!
Come on, let's go!
Oh, I don't know.
I don't dare.
I'll try it from there.
Don't be jealous, Nicos!
Are you crazy? You scared me!
When it's grilled, it's absolutely delicious!
So, the bigger one go to the one who can dive the longest!
I've won!
Ah! Don't force yourself, Nicos!
Yes, he won, obviously!
He wasn't like that before. I was allowed to go fishing
and we did stuff together.
After the death of my mother, everything changed.
- Does he scold you? - All the time!
Does he hit you?
No. But he's always bothering me!
He gets into your head? Otherwise it wouldn't bother you.
No, that's not the problem.
The problem is...
The problem is that you have to let go. This will do you good.
Don't take all the air. Let us breathe.
Don't take all the air...
You look sad!
What?
I said you look sad.
Why should I be sad? This is the most beautiful day of my life!
I think it's great to have you as a girlfriend.
It's incredibly exhausting, but still great.
You can't have ice cream. You can't have ice cream.
Leave him, Nicos!
All right?
Why are you crying, Kevin?
- He snapped at me. - What's going on here?
The bird isn't dangerous, honestly.
I think the animal belongs in a zoo!
He just wants to play!
Fly back to the grotto!
The father was really angry!
He just stole the ice cream, it's no big deal!
And if he'd pecked an eye out? It's not funny.
A pelican is a wild animal, and I turned him into a circus,
and all that comes with that.
He's addicted to sour herring and olives. Everyone feeds him.
He doesn't want to catch any fish himself.
Oh, you're thinking too much! He likes to be with others.
He feels much more comfortable here than in his grotto.
- Oh, I don't know... - Hey? Hey!
We can buy him a pair of sunglasses,
then he can stalk the port unrecognised!
You're annoying. Other people's problems don't matter to you. You're like your uncle!
And you're like your father!
Manoli! Where are you hiding? This isn't funny! Where are you?
Come here!
Look, do you like it?
When does your father return from the vineyard?
I don't know, when all the grapes are harvested.
- Oh, damn it. - Careful, venerable father!
Come, I'll help you!
No, no, all right, it's all right. Leave me alone. Continue!
Is it any better between you?
No, not really.
But I miss him.
It's no wonder. He's been away from more than two weeks...
No, I don't mean that. Even when he's here, I miss him.
That's great, isn't it?
Wow, hey? We owe this to your son.
I mean his friend. Come in!
A lot has changed here.
Changed? That could be said!
This bird is a blessing for the island.
We've never had so many visitors to the village.
And the ferry to Mykenes now also stops here. Business is incredible.
Unbelievable, you really only think about money, huh?
You haven't calmed down in the vineyards, eh?
That fools come here, you like that?
We live well because of the fools. So a minimum of respect, yes!
And if you're just here to mess up the mood, you can leave again.
I am at home here! This is my village, right? I got married here!
It would be better if you could find a woman, hey!
I don't let myself be dominated by tourists!
That madman.
Are you all right, uncle? Who was that?
Yannis' father. I should have ducked!
He surprised me!
Father!
How long have you been back?
Since now!
There was no one in the house. Where have you been?
At home I found t-shirts and new sneakers. Where did they come from?
- Who bought it for you? - I did.
- With what money? - With mine, I earned it.
Earned it?
I'm posing for tourists. They photographed me with Nicostratos. My pelican!
And this is a profession?
You deserve more than fish!
I was able to buy back mama's cross!
Yannis!
Come on, let me sleep.
Nicos, don't worry, we're safe here.
Nicos, don't worry.
Nicos?
Nicos!
Angeliki! Are you preparing the terrace at low tide?
Very funny, uncle, very funny.
Leave it! I don't want to, disappear!
Please come back later. I'm not in a good mood.
No, no, no, no, Nicos, now go out here. Get lost. No, no!
Come on. Get out, go!
Nicos!
Here, Mrs Flora, they didn't have your bread,
so I got this instead. Is this okay?
Yes, it's fine, I'll take it.
Oh, Nicostratos!
- Come here! - See you, Angeliki!
Goodbye, Mrs Flora!
Come on, don't be mad at me!
Come on, come on, come on!
It's not my fault!
Aristotle!
Aristotle! Aristotle!
It's Nicostratos!
Why do you wear glasses while you're driving here?
- But I was talking to Vassilis! - But you didn't have to turn around!
Stop it, you were talking to him! It's forbidden
to distract the driver even if he does know every last mule on the island!
Out of the way, out of the way! Quiet! Quiet!
Help me!
- What happened here? - A bus hit him!
- Hold the beak firmly. - Yes, come here.
Clear the table!
Scissors. Quick, scissors!
It's over.
Save him, Papa. Please!
He will die.
Help me, Daddy!
The best thing is we put him out of his suffering!
Help me!
Don't let him die, Papa!
Father.
I promise you. He won't feel anything.
Father!
Mum.
Here!
The whole village was in shock and worried about my health.
Angeliki visited me to see how I was and reassured everyone.
Sadness lay over the island.
And our grotto was lonely and deserted.
Aristotle!
Demosthenes!
Oh man, shit!
He's already making that bad face again!
But he always makes that face!
We wanted to tell you that we're very sorry about Yannis.
Yes, it's terrible what happened.
Thank you. Where is your niece?
Angeliki!
Hey, why are you crying, I'm here?
Could you stay with Yannis today?
- Uncle? - Of course.
I'm sorry about the ear.
I deserved it!
He just took me by surprise. I couldn't even duck.
Sure, Uncle, we know!
Angeliki took care of me when my father went out to sea.
I had no energy. I didn't want to eat anything.
Only Mrs Flora's homemade sweets.
Yannis!
Ah, a special blend!
I made you a herbal tea with your father.
It's pretty strong!
Don't worry. He's doing better.
Well, what do you say to the city girl?
I'm sorry it happened. I feel guilty!
Oh, don't be stupid. You didn't do it, you weren't driving the bus.
I mean, I wanted to make Nicostratos into a star.
If you hadn't listened to me and he'd stayed in the wilderness,
- it wouldn't have happened. - His life was short but beautiful.
On the freighter he would have died and he wouldn't have learned to fly.
What has to happen happens.
There's still something.
When the accident happened, I'd called Nicostratos.
He came across the road to me and...
With Nicostratos no longer there, the island and inhabitants changed.
It hit Aristotle quite hard. He really missed Nicostratos.
And not just because his bar was buzzing.
It's hard to believe, but Uncle Aristotle is sensitive.
Vassilis was inconsolable that he had distracted the bus driver
and was to blame for Nicostratos' death. He could be seen wandering across the square.
I've also changed. I am, how should I say it...
matured.
Yes, I have matured.
And so, slowly, life returned to normal.
Mrs Karoussos and her husband, the priest,
had grown their family.
My father buried his dark thoughts about fishing or the Café Aristoteles.
A seaman knows: A death on the sea always leaves a bitter taste.
The travel agencies in Athens have removed the island of Zora from their itineries.
The ferries no longer came.
Everything went back to the way it had been before.
And that wasn't the worst.
Are you being disobedient, Yannis? Your father forbade you
from coming to the village as long as you are unwell.
If I am disobedient, I am well again!
- True. Do you want something to drink? - Iced coffee.
And an iced coffee!
Yannis! I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more of you. You've lost weight.
Are you eating enough?
We'll stuff him, Uncle. Don't worry!
What about your father? We don't see him in the village.
My father? He comes here for his aperitif every evening!
No, definitely not! He may be drinking something, but not here.
But I can't think where. I'm the only café!
Your father is really cool. He probably has a girlfriend!
A girlfriend! I see that you don't know him at all!
Well, if he's not meeting with a woman, then what does he do?
Yes, I'm asking myself that, too.
- Your iced coffee? - You drink it. See you later!
You never told me what happened on the sea.
What do you mean?
When you took Nicostratos away. Did he suffer?
No, he died quite quickly.
Why did you take him away by boat?
To protect you.
And what did you do with the body?
He was thrown overboard. Don't be sad, he liked to fish.
And he liked to swim!
I knew the memory of Nicostratos would never go away.
Dad always tried to comfort me,
but he couldn't do that very well. What he told me didn't convince me,
and he didn't like any further questions.
So sometimes you had to give yourself a little help.
If he didn't go to the café, where was he? I wanted to find out.
- Oh, it's you! - What are you doing?
I want to know what my father is doing.
It's great you came. You can keep watch!
Only if I feel like it!
Oh, please!
I'll do it, okay! Where do you want to look?
I'm going to search the boat. If my father comes, you whistle.
You can whistle?
Of course!
Crap!
Yannis!
Good day!
Good day. Where is Yannis?
At the monastery. I've been waiting for you.
I want to ask you something, it's about fishing!
You're interested in fishing?
Is it okay if we go into the kitchen?
The sun dazzles me, I'm a girl from the city.
I'm writing an essay about the holidays and the people I've met.
Are you alone when you go out? It must be exhausting,
especially when you pull the nets out of the water!
I have a winch. Without winches one could not pull the nets out of the water.
Oh, yes, that's the big old iron thing on the boat, yes?
I understand. And you have to control the boat at the same time. You do can this?
So you don't tip over
when you pull a net full of fish from the water?
When I sometimes come with my backpack,
if there's too much in it, I almost tip over!
And what about Yannis? I mean, doesn't he help you when he's not at the monastery?
Well, to be honest, he's almost always there.
Sometimes it feels like he spends his whole life there!
He could hold the tiller when you turn the winch.
Your boat is certainly no more difficult to steer
than the funny tricycle, right?
That's the problem! It's always been like this,
people always want something for nothing.
And they're not even aware of it, crazy!
Take your fish, for example!
If you look at the price of fuel, nets and costs for the boat,
then no one would buy them anymore.
And that would be totally crazy for you. Yes, totally crazy.
Do you know the cost of iced coffee? Do you have any idea what it costs?
This is wrong, is not it? That's it! He...
Speaking of the delivery truck. I've heard you repair it yourself,
did you learn mechanics or something?
Or are you self-taught?
Craftsmanship is...
is very special.
Oh, you're here?
Yes! And how was the rehearsal?
Very good.
Then I'll leave you alone!
And thanks for the information!
You're welcome!
And? Did you find anything?
He treated him. There was a bandage in the cabin.
He lied to me.
No, I can't believe that!
I mean, maybe he's not dead at all!
Nicostratos lives, imagine that!
Come on, don't get your hopes up too early. There's no proof that is the case.
Maybe he tried to treat him, but the injuries were still too much.
But why is he gone every night? There is a reason for that!
That may not have anything to do with it, which is...
A moment.
He goes to him! I'm sure about that!
Yannis!
He's going to Myrta. To the grotto.
Yannis!
Just wait for me!
Yannis!
Not so fast, I can't keep up.
Father?
Father!
Nicos!
Why did you keep it secret?
Why did you let be believe he'd died?
I didn't want you to be sad twice.
I didn't know if I could save him.
When you brought him home, I thought that was it, but he's tough!
How could you treat him?
All I needed, I got from Doctor Lesandris.
And I wanted it to be a surprise. Was I successful?
Yes! You were succesful! A lot!
I don't know what to say.
Then don't say anything.
- Good evening, Christina. - Good evening, Hermes.
Oh, stop whining. You can't complain about your life now.
- Oh, what a delicate thing! - This is where he was run over.
Oh man, forget about it. You can't think about it your whole life!
The feast of St. Dimitrios was the biggest event on Zora every year.
You put on your Sunday best to go singing and dancing.
The big band of monks created the atmosphere.
This year we wanted to surprise the whole village.
Nicos had stage fright! Me too, by the way.
No one knew what was going on, not even Father Kosmas!
This year, our dear children will play something modern for you!
I sincerely hope that this unique experience will be unforgettable for you all!
Have fun and have a nice evening! Thank you!
Oh, Nicostratos!
- Look! - Nicostratos!
Nicostratos! Nicostratos!
The man I am today will never forget that evening.
Father Kosmas likes to quote our great philosophers.
Johannes Klimakos said: "Some trials divide us, other unite us."
Thanks to Nicostratos, this trial has welded Dad and me together.
It was nice to see him like he was before again.
On the evening of Saint Dimitrios, Papa, as I shall say,
helped me to soar,
yes, exactly, to soar!
What's this? A rain dance maybe?
Watch out!