The Fisherman and the American Tourist

Editor's Note:  This story was sent to me earlier today!  It is packed with WISDOM ...
Read on and get ready to have your mind ponder the story's message!



Near a boat docked in a tiny Mexican village, an American tourist

compliments the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish, and asks

how long it took him to catch them.

 

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

 

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?"  asked the

American.

 

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his

needs and those of his family.

 

The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

 

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta

with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends,

have a few drinks,  play the guitar, and sing a few songs . . I have a

full life."

 

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help

you! You should start by fishing longer everyday. You can then sell the

 extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger

boat."

 

"And after that?" asked the Mexican.

 

"With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second

one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of

trailers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then

negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your

own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico

City, Los Angeles, or even  New York City!  From there you can direct

your huge new enterprise."

 

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.

 

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.

 

"And after that?"

 

"Afterwards? Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting,"

answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big,

you can start selling stocks and make millions!"

 

"Millions?  Really? And after that?" said the Mexican.

 

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the

coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a

siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your

friends."

 

And the moral is:      Know where you're going in life ... you

may already be there!