An American businessman 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 American complimented the
Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied only a little while. The American then asked why didn’t
he stay out longer and catch more fish. The Mexican said he had enough to
support his family's immediate needs. The American then asked, but what do
you do with the rest of your time?
The Mexican fisherman said, "I steep late, fish a little, play
with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village
each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full
and busy life, Senor."
The American scoffed, "I
am a Harvard NFBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and
with the proceeds, 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, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the
product processing and distribution, you would need to leave this mall
coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC
where you will run your expanding enterprise."
The Mexican fisherman asked, "But Senor, how long will this all
take?" To which the American replied,
" 15-20 years
"But what then, Senor?" 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, senor? Then what?" The American said, "Men
you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would
sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife,
stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your
guitar with your amigos."
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I have always liked this passage! This is another of my favorite stories. I think it applies to all of us in what we are doing on this site. We can all do our part and it does matter! :)
The Starfish Story
adapted from The Star Thrower
by Loren Eiseley (1907 - 1977)
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and thousands of starfish. You will only be able to return a few of them. Why are you wasting your time? Do you think it really matters?!"
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It matters to that one."
Stay green!
~ Liv
This is a great example of how priorities differ from the US in most other countries. There is alot to be said for a non-capitalist coutry that puts emphasis on a good family life before becoming rich.
Remember, start small and make a big difference.
UnderDogRPL MT(ASCP)cm