The boy, mandolin is presented in a favourable light. Despite his age, he maintains an almost mature relationship with the old man. He is loyal, caring (even doting), thoughtful and trusting.
We first meet the boy with the old man, who has been fishing without any luck for 84 days. There is a strong bond between the two. The boy reveals his confidence in the old man by calling him by the name of his heydays: Santiago. Because of this intimacy, he is on first-name terms with the old man. Even when he is separated from the old man. And now in another boat the boy does not let go his solidarity with the old man. When we see him and the old man, the boy suggests that he and the old man move back and work together again as they have made some money at the new place. The old man declines. At this early point, he renews his faith in the old man, castigating his own father for not having faith. They boy cares for the old man as an older person will have done. He is even doting. He takes the old man to the Terrace, buy him beer, and humours him by reliving the memories of their fishing together. He promises to get the old man some baits and entice his master to go 'for out', solely to keep an eye on the old man.
He urges the old man to stay warm. When the old man will not eat the supper that he has provided, the boy gets quite stern, like a loving mother-he will not permit the old man's going fishing on an empty stomach 'while I'm alive'. He chides himself for being thoughtless and resolves to get the old man a shirt, a jacket, some shoes and another blanket for the winter. He is a source of reassurance for the old man. For him, of all the good and great fisherman, there is only the old man. On the lucky day, they drink coffee together, the boy gets the sardines and the two baits and walks the old man to his skiff and wishes him luck.
Even the fishermen acknowledge his role in the old man's survival. His concern for Santiago and about his welfare is not fake. When he is with old man, they are true companions. He prevents the old man's drift towards despondency and tells him how he has been searched for, assuring him that he is a winner-the fish did not beat him. They make plans for the future. As manolin leaves Santiago, he admonishes him to get well fast for the days ahead. He draws our pity by his tears of unique fellow-feeling.