The Parable of the Fisherman and the Banker
A parable about life, goals, and living life consciously.
There was once a fisherman who lived on the coast of a small island. He woke up every day at 5am and went out to catch fish. He’d catch a few, sell most at the market, save the nicest one for himself, and go back home to his wife and kids.
One day, a banker was vacationing on the island and looking for lunch. He noticed the fisherman coming to port having caught a few big fish.
The banker asked the fisherman: “What a beautiful haul! How long did it take you to catch all these fish?”
“Oh, just a short while,” the fisherman replied.
“Then why don’t you stay out longer? You could catch more!” says the banker.
“This is enough to feed my family.”
The banker pauses and he asks: “So.. what do you do with the rest of the day?”
“Now I will go home to play with my kids. In the afternoon I will take a nap with my wife, and in the evening after our dinner I will go to the village to join my friends. We play guitar, we drink, we sing and we dance through the night.”
The banker was wise as to the ways of the world. Inspired by this capable fisherman, he offered up his wisdom:
“I have a degree in business. I have helped many companies and many CEOs to grow their business. I can help you become a more successful person.
“From now on, you should spend more time at sea and try to catch as many fish as possible. You will sell this extra fish and when you have saved up enough you can buy a bigger boat and catch even more fish.
“Soon you will be able to afford to buy more boats. You can set up a company and hire other fishermen and show them how to catch fish as well as you.
“Then you will have enough earnings from your fleet of ships and your company of fishermen. You will be able to build a manufacturing plant. There you will preserve and can the fish that you catch and retain the profit for yourself.
“When you are ready, you will set up a distribution network and sell your fish all around the world.
“By then you’ll have left this island and moved to the bigger island. There you can set up your HQ and live in a big house.”
The fisherman pauses to think and he asks: “I see. And, then, what will I do ?”
The banker exclaims: “Then you will live like a king! You will live in your big house, and staff will take care of your children and your wife. When the time is right and the whole world knows the wonderful taste of your fish, you will take the company public! You will float your shares on the Stock Exchange and you will be rich!”
The fisherman: “And then?”
The banker grows frustrated. “Well, then, after that you will retire! You will move to a house by the sea on a quiet little island. You will wake up early in the morning and take your boat out to catch just a few big fish. You will come home when you wish, you will play with your kids, you will nap and eat with your wife. You’ll drink with friends at night and dance and laugh.”
The fisherman is puzzled. “But isn’t that what I’m doing now?”