The Fisherman and the Businessman

File under Get a Smaller Plate

Many months ago i read a parable in a book and since then i have been searching for it without luck.  So i'm going to take the liberty of recounting what i remember of the story.  My apologies to whomever wrote this.

A wealthy business consultant decides to take a vacation in a small fishing village in Mexico.  At lunch one afternoon in a beachfront restaurant he has the most magnificent fish he has ever tasted.  He compliments the waiter and asks where the fish comes from.  The waiter explains that the daily catch comes from a fisherman who lives down the beach. The businessman comments that the fisherman's operations must be quite expansive and busy because the fish has to be in such high demand.  Surprised, the waiter replies that no, the fisherman is a one-man operation.  He wakes up in the morning and sets out early to fish, then returns for lunch and a siesta in his hammock.  He then welcomes his children home from school and spends the afternoon playing with them, and the evening walking the beach with his wife.  Amazed, the businessman's consulting skills begin to spin and he decides he must meet the fisherman.

The next day he approaches the fisherman after he comes in with the daily catch.  "Excuse me Senor, I wanted to compliment you on your fish.  Have you ever thought of expanding your business?"

"Not really, how would i do that?"

"Well, first i can help you develop a plan to sell your fish to restaurants in other villages nearby.  Then we can travel to the villages to sell your services and set up exclusive supplier agreements. Then we can hire individuals to help fish and transport the catch to the new markets."

"And then what?"

"Well after we've saturated those markets, we can open your business to the entire country.  We will work with the government for exclusive distributor rights and we can travel to the far reaching areas to bring your fish to new markets.  We will have to buy new boats, and trucks, and hire many new staff."

"And then what?"

"Well then we can sign deals with the major distribution and wholesale houses on the west and east coasts of the U.S.  We will make presentation at trade shows and conduct sales calls at the most prestigious and exclusive restaurants. To ensure freshness we will also need to purchase planes to transport your products."

"And then what?"

"Well then, after 20 or so years you can retire a wealthy man with the comfort of knowing you have worked hard and provided for your family."

"And then what?"

"Well then you can fish when you want to, spend time with your family, and take siestas in your hammock every afternoon."

What are you searching for, that in 20 years you'll realize you have right in front of you?

Song of the Day
It's almost been a whole year since i started this blog and this will be the first country song to make the Song of the Day cut.  So there are two take-aways here: first, i'm not the biggest country fan, and second this song really resonates with me.  In honor of knowing what you have, the song of the day is Trace Adkins' "You're Gonna Miss This."