The Story of the Fisherman

I was told this tale by a dear friend who was born and raised in the Caribbean. The tale claims to come from many different regions when you research it; Mexico, Barbados, Thailand and many others say this tale is the root of their values and love in family values of happiness. I find this story to be the key to a happy life. Enjoy.

A businessman was at a very small private beach in the Caribbean when a small boat with just one fisherman pulled his small wooden boat onto the sand. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The businessman complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The fisherman replied only a little while.

The businessman then asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish? The fisherman said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The businessman then asked, but what do you do with the rest of your time? The fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a afternoon naps with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my local people; I have a very busy life."

The businessman proposed, "I am a Harvard MBA and I could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat."

"For what?" replied the fisherman.

The businessman said, "With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats; eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats."

"Then what would I do with all the boats?" the fisherman questioned.

"Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor and eventually open your own cannery."

"Then what?" the fisherman asked.

"You would control the product, processing and distribution," the businessman answered with excitement of all the money to be made, "You would need to leave this small unknown beach and move to a large fishing port, then LA and eventually New York City where you would run your expanding enterprise."

The fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"

To which the businessman replied, "15-20 years."

"But what then?"

The businessman laughed and said, "That's the best part! When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions."

"Millions? Then what?," the confused shirtless fisherman asked.

The businessman said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small private beach where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a naps with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with the local people."

The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said,

"Isn't that what I'm doing right now?"