The 'fish'erman's Story

Alibaug is a coastal belt approximately 100 kms away from Mumbai, which mumbaikars visit for relaxation. Alibaug is slow compared to activities of our buzzling city. People are more contented with what they have and lead a good quality life. Nathu was one such resident of Alibaug city

Once a learned teacher of Economics from Mumbai went on a stroll beach early morning and saw Nathu selling fishes which was 'fresh'. The teacher purchased the entire lot from Nathu and was happy to see the smile on the face of Nathu (for obvious reasons). Teacher appreciated the quality of fish he sold and that made Nathu feel more happier. Before Nathu set out to leave, the teacher asked him about his daily chores

Nathu was a bit reluctant initially but since the entire day was relatively free for him and the teacher seemed harmless,  he narrated his story. He said, before dawn, he set out on his small boat to the sea to get his catch and whatever fishes he got, he kept some in the house and brought the balance to the beach, sold them by afternoon. During noon, he enjoyed food cooked by his wife from the catch. Both enjoy their food followed by siesta. Later in the evening, he enjoyed his time with his son and daughter, and then before it was dark, he caught up with his friends, they danced and played music, had food and returned home. He generally slept the moment he hit the bed. Nathu narrated his day was quite hectic.

Thinking long, the teacher asked Nathu, how much time did he take for the day's catch??

Nathu replied, 1 hour. 

The teacher was surprised and asked, "You work for only 1 hour of the day and waste the remaining whole day?" 

Nathu cooly replied in affirmative.

Tapping his hands on Nathu's shoulders, the teacher continued..."Imagine you work for 3 hours a day, your catch would be double, this would mean your income will be doubled too". 

Nathu nodded and innocently asked, "What will happen next?"

The teacher was happy now for someone was listening him. He explained further, "Imagine, you work for 6 hours, the catch would be huge, you can keep 2-3 salesman and sell your catch at 2-3 different places on the same day. You will become an entrepreneur and also create employment in this small city to few people". Nathu was feeling happier and his smile increased. 

The smile encouraged teacher further. He now started explaining the fundamentals of economics to his new student. Think further Nathu, you can buy boats, not one but a fleet of boats. Your can purchase machines which will catch lots of fishes. Instead of selling you can start a processing unit. Your volume of business would grow 100 times from the existing one". 

Nathu was still listening with smiling face and actually visualising. He asked again, "What next"

The teacher continued, you would become a millionare, a multimillioinare and you can move to Mumbai as a rich businessman with many servants around to serve you whatever you need. Once you move to Mumbai your business will florish further and grow atleast 10-15 times again. Now this is big!!!

Nathu asked "How much time would all this take" with a grin. 

The teacher replied "20 years". 

Nathu asked, "What next??"

The teacher was enjoying this morning lecture session as his vacation was getting productive and he got a talented student in front of him.

The teacher said, "The real game begins now, once you have established yourself, you can sell the entire business to someone and then you can retire peacefully. You can hire managers for all levels to take care of everything. You can purchase a bungalow or a villa at the outskirts of the city to avoid pollution of the city". 

Nathu was listening attentively and asked "What next"

The teacher said, now you can wake up leisurely, check the work to be done may be 1 hour during the day, then have a scrumptious lunch, enjoy siesta, may be play around with your children in the evening and retire your day in the company of music, dance and friends"

Suddenly, Nathu stood up and started walking quietly. 

The teacher was taken back, he caught hold of Nathu and asked, "What happened, you were enjoying my entire explanation and suddenly started walking??"

Nathu simply said, "Sir, this is what i m doing since ages, why put me in so much of trouble for next 20 years, to enjoy what I'm doing currently" and walked away.

(Many Stories find a place in the heart and every author narrates the same story in his style. Here is my attempt to narrate the story of "the Mexican Fisherman's story" I once heard from a wise man)