Retold from Ajahn Brahm
A fisherman was walking back home one morning from his boat when he met a rich businessman who asked him where he was going.
“I’m taking some fish home for dinner. I’ve sold the rest of my catch at the market.”
“Well why don’t you go out again and catch some more fish?” asked the businessman.
“But I have some tasks at home, then I plan to meet some friends in the bar, then I’ll collect the children from school.”
“Ah,” said the businessman, “if you go back out again you’ll be able to sell all your catch in the market. Then after a while you can buy a bigger boat and hire people to help you. If you work really hard, you could have a small fleet.”
“And then what?” asked the fisherman.
“Well, in time you could retire a rich man?”
“And then what?”
“Well,” said the businessman, “you could buy a small boat and go out fishing for fun, then take the afternoon off with your friends and family.”
“Ah,” said the fisherman, “I do that already.”
And the fisherman continued on his journey home.