The Mexican fisherman

Stories retold....

Sometimes less can be more.

An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked.
Inside the small boat were several large yellow-fin tuna. The quality of fish was very good. The American complimented the Mexican and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.”
“Why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish?”
“It is enough to support my family’s immediate needs.”
“But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos. It is my daily life.”

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you.

“You would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”
Said the MBA from Harvard to the Mexican Fisherman.

” Aha! What an waste of such a good skill and great opportunities. You should spend more time fishing so that you can earn more and buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats.

Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor industries in the Mexico City. Or you can even open your own cannery. That way, you would be able to control the Product, Processing and Distribution. How unfortunate that you don’t have the slightest business sense.
Ultimately, you may need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles and eventually to the New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”

“Hardly 15 – 20 years.”

“But what then?”

“But what then?”
Asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right, you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!”

“Millions! Wow– then what?”

The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

“That is exactly what I am doing every day now.” Smiled the Mexican.

“That is exactly what I am doing every day now.”
Smiled the Mexican.