A tourist armed with the newest digital camera was at the pier of a small coastal village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The tourist complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked or he could take a picture…

The fisherman a little bit tired of all tourists who are visiting his beautiful little village replied a bit grumpy. “Ok, ok, I don’t care.”

The tourist tried to start a conversation and asked the fisherman how long it took to catch the fishes… The fisherman replied, “I woke up early, the weather and the sea were wonderful so it took just a little while.”

The tourist then asked, “Why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?”
The fisherman said, “With this I have more than enough to support my family’s needs and I can sell a few for something extra.”

The tourist then asked, “But what are you doing all day?”
The fisherman said, “I fish a little, play with my children, enjoy the sun and the sea, spend time with my family, sometimes I stroll into the village where I sip wine and play guitar with my friends, I have a full and busy life.”

The tourist scoffed, “I can help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the proceeds you can buy a bigger boat. And after a few years with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. There will be a time you would have a fleet of fishing boats. You would have captains and sailors who are driving your boats. It’s even possible to buy a helicopter and then you can control your fishing fleet from the air.
Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor; eventually open your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You could leave this small coastal fishing village and go to a big City where you could run your ever-expanding enterprise.”

Totally excited about his own story the tourist continued:

“And then one day you have enough money to enjoy life. You can spend time with your family, fish a little, go out with your friends and enjoy the sun and the sea”

“But I’m already doing that” The fisherman answered.

R.S.