|
One day a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach, with his fishing
pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the
sparkling blue surf. He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and
the prospect of catching a fish.
About that time, a businessman came walking down the beach, trying to
relieve some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman
sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman was
fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his
family. “You aren’t going to catch many fish that way,” said the
businessman to the fisherman. “You should be working rather than lying
on the beach.”
The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and replied, “And
what will my reward be?” “Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more
fish.” was the businessman’s answer. “And then what will my reward be?”
asked the fisherman, still smiling. The businessman replied, “You will
make money and you’ll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in
larger catches of fish.” “And then what will my reward be?” asked the
fisherman again. The businessman was beginning to get a little irritated
with the fisherman’s questions. “You can buy a bigger boat, and hire
some people to work for you.” he said.
“And then what will my reward be?” repeated the fisherman. The
businessman was getting angry. “Don’t you understand? You can build up a
fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let all your
employees catch fish for you. Once again the fisherman asked, “And then
what will my reward be?” The businessman was red with rage and shouted
at the fisherman, “Don’t you understand that you can become so rich that
you will never have to work for your living again. You can spend all the
rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You
won’t have a care in the world.”
The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, “And what do you think
I’m doing right now?”
|
