Anthony De Mello wrote a small story about an American tourist who complimented a fisherman on the quality of his fish and asks how long it takes to catch them. The man answered that it does not take very long, so the inquiry is made as to why the fisherman doesn’t stay out longer and catch more.
Since the catch is sufficient for his family, the man does not need more. Asking what he does with the rest of his time, the fisherman replies, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs. I have a full life.”
Discontent with the answer, the American offers to buy him a bigger boat so he can catch and sell more fish. With the extra money, a second boat could be purchased and eventually an entire fleet. Then the fisherman could move to Los Angeles or New York and direct a huge enterprise.
The intrigued fisherman asks how long such a process would take and is told about twenty years. “And after that?” he asks. Then he could potentially make millions buying and selling stocks. “And after that?” he asks again.
“After that you’ll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your grandchildren, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife, and spend your evening drinking and enjoying your friends!”
We are often tempted to acquire more wealth and power. “One does not live on bread alone.” A land flowing with milk and honey may be the land we inhabit already, if only we have eyes to see.
Since the catch is sufficient for his family, the man does not need more. Asking what he does with the rest of his time, the fisherman replies, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs. I have a full life.”
Discontent with the answer, the American offers to buy him a bigger boat so he can catch and sell more fish. With the extra money, a second boat could be purchased and eventually an entire fleet. Then the fisherman could move to Los Angeles or New York and direct a huge enterprise.
The intrigued fisherman asks how long such a process would take and is told about twenty years. “And after that?” he asks. Then he could potentially make millions buying and selling stocks. “And after that?” he asks again.
“After that you’ll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your grandchildren, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife, and spend your evening drinking and enjoying your friends!”
We are often tempted to acquire more wealth and power. “One does not live on bread alone.” A land flowing with milk and honey may be the land we inhabit already, if only we have eyes to see.
0 comments:
Post a Comment