Final answer:
In 'The Old Man and the Sea,' by the time Santiago returns home, only the skeleton of the big marlin remains, due to sharks eating away its flesh on the journey back.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question you've asked pertains to the novella 'The Old Man and the Sea' by Ernest Hemingway. In the story, an old fisherman named Santiago struggles to bring a giant marlin back to shore. By the time he reaches his home, all that is left of the big fish is its skeleton, as sharks have devoured the flesh during Santiago's journey back. Santiago's epic battle against the marlin and his determination throughout the ordeal are central themes of the novella.