Sunday, May 1, 2016

An Alaskan Parable


A businessman was standing along the Kenai River at Cunningham Park when he noticed a fisherman carrying a salmon.  He complimented the man on the quality of the fish and asked him how long it took to catch it.

"Not long," the fisherman replied with a smile.  "Only a little while."

When the businessman asked him why he didn't stay out longer to catch more fish, the fisherman said he caught enough to take care of his family for the next few days.

"But what do you do with the rest of your time?" the businessman wanted to know.

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a nap in the afternoon and on the weekends drive to Homer where I play piano and sing with my friends.  I have a full and busy life."

The businessman was dismissive.  He offered to help him get started in the fishing business.  Step one would be to get a commercial fishing permit.  The man could then buy a boat and, ultimately a fleet.  He could sell directly to the processor, then raise enough capital to open up his own cannery.

As a tycoon, he would want to move to Anchorage, where he would preside over his fish empire from a glass tower.  Of course, this wouldn't happen overnight.  It would take 15 to 20 years of hard work.

"But the sacrifices would be worth it," the businessman assured him.  "The rewards will be beyond your wildest dreams."  Afterall, once the fisherman issued an IPO for his enterprise, he'd be rich.

"Then what?" wondered the fisherman.

"You'd be able to retire and live the good life.  You can move to Kenai where you could sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a nap in the afternoon, go to Homer to play the piano and sing with your friends."

Suddenly the businessman's cell phone rings.  "Gotta run," he told the fisherman.  "But remember the lessons I just told you--they could change your life."





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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I didn't know you played the piano??? Nice reminder that money isn't everything.

Dave Anderson said...

AHHHHH, some day!