2009-01-09

Life-cycle of Banda and the Mexican Fisherman

Banda is born in a beautiful village in the paradise, in a traditional home overlooking the paddy-fields and the mountains in the distance.

Banda attends school in the nearby town.

He comes to Colombo for higher education.

A few years later, he finds himself in the West, chasing the “American” dream or its equivalent.

A yuppie, with a great job, caught-up in the rat-race.

Passport. Family. House. Car. Kids.

And the time passes by. Kids grow up and they leave home as Banda retires.

He’s tired of the hustle and bustle and comes back home to Sri Lanka seeking serendipity in his old-age.

And decides to spend a quiet, retired life, away from it all.

Banda spends his hard-earned dollars to buy a plot of land in a beautiful village and builds a traditional house, overlooking the paddy-fields and the mountains in the distance.

6 comments:

  1. I guess some good things in life you realize through time and experience...

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  2. Some Bandas never grow up. Do they ? :-) I recently met one such Banda, a village boy turned UN Diplomat who is nearing retirement but thinks WEST is the place to be..... I felt sorry for his ignorance and arrogance..... I want to wait and see what this Banda does after June 30th 2009 !!!!!!!!!!!

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  3. Who is the Mexican fisherman?

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  4. umm... where's the Mexican fisherman? :)

    And maybe that was Banda's plan all along? Give the kids a chance at following their dreams and come back to a peaceful retirement... :) I want to do that too!

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  5. Banda is the Maxican Fisherman

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  6. Here’s the Mexican Fisherman Story: Author Unknown.

    An American investment banker on holiday 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 tourist complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. 

    The Mexican replied, “Only a couple of hours...”

    The American says, “These are some fine fish. Why didn't you stay out longer and catch some more?”

    The Mexican said, “Why should I? With this catch, I have more than enough to support all my needs.”

    The American is somewhat puzzled. And says, “But Gringo, isn’t it too early to get back from the sea? What do you do with the rest of your time?”

    The fisherman grins. “I wake up late, fish a little, play with my children. Have a good lunch and take siesta with my beautiful wife Maria; stroll into the village in the evening where I sip a Corona and play guitar with my amigos... I live a full life” 

    The American scoffs and says, “Look Gringo, I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing; and with the extra money you make, buy a bigger boat: With the profits 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 small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then to Los Angeles and eventually New York where you will run your ever-expanding global enterprise.”

    The fisherman looks at the MBA grad and asks inquisitively, “But signor, how long will this all take?”

    “Well, a good 15 to 20 years” replies the American.

    “Ok, signor, but what then?” asked the fisherman. 

    The American laughed and says: “That's the best part gringo, when the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become a very rich man. You would easily make millions...!” 

    “Oh, WOW! Millions...? Then what?” 

    The American says, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village in rural South America, 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 beer and play your guitar with your amigos.”

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