Happiness of life

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It is a story, which may pause us a while, to take one breath and think about the real purpose of the hectic run in our lives. Following is a simple conversation between a poor fisherman and a high end Management professional.

A tourist from Mumbai was traveling in a houseboat in Kerala backwaters. He saw one small boat docked in the backwaters near a small village. Mumbai tourist complimented fisherman on the quality of kerala fish varieties, taste etc... and asked how long it take him to catch them.

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Fisherman - "Not very long Sir, just 2-3 hours”

Tourist - "But then, why don't you stay out longer and catch more?”

Fisherman – “ Its enough sir” He explained that his small catch is sufficient to meet his needs and of his family.

Tourist - " But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

Fisherman – giggled, “Nothing hard sir, I sleep to late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. At evenings, I go to the village road to see my friends, often a bit drink, and sing few songs... that’s all sir” I have a full life and enjoying."

Tourist - “If you don’t bother, may I help you in some way?”

Fisherman - “Sure sir”

Tourist - “I have a Masters Degree from the reputed Indian Institute of Management, and I can help you which improve your life in a great way.

Fisherman – “Sure sir, it is my pleasure and I am lucky”

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Tourist - You should start by fishing longer every day, you can then catch and sell more fish. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."

Fisherman – “Nice sir, then?"

Tourist – (engrossed) - "With the extra money you can buy a larger boat., you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of even trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants or wholesalers and even can be your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Cochin, or even to Mumbai. From there you can export your fish and can manage a huge new enterprise."

Fisherman - "Superb sir, How long it would take sir?"

Tourist - "Fifteen, perhaps twenty or twenty years"

Fisherman - "Then sir?"

Tourist - “After….? mmmm, well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting,” sniggered the tourist, "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make great money, you can be a millionaire, then billionaire, and you can have airplanes your own.. a lot more…..and you will gradually learn …what all big businessmen do…

Fisherman - "Millions!! Really? Then sir?"

Tourist – Little confused, but filled anyway.. "Then you'll be able to retire, buy some land and live in a small village near the backwaters, Sleep late, play with your children, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings doing what you like with your buddies. etc… etc… a peaceful life"

Fisherman - "With all due respect sir, but that's exactly what I am doing now. So what's the point wasting 20-25 Years?" asked the fisherman.

And the moral of the story is? Know where you're going in life. Check, whether you may already be somewhere around.

Take it as a story only, but seems thinkable….. Life in the present world is indeed a rat race. Many who have good credentials too do not know where they are going in life.

Comment please….

Courtesey – Email –Jinu Jose - Melbourne

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