JH told me this story today.

A businessman was traveling in Southeast Asia when he met a fisherman. The fisherman would be kw with his line for a few hours every morning, catch some fish, sell them at the market, go home to his wife, take a siesta, and then sit on the beach watching the waves until the sun set. A completely hedonistic life, the businessman thought.

The businessman asked, “Why don’t you work harder to catch more fish so you can earn more money?”

The fisherman asked, “And then what?”

“And then you could buy bigger nets and catch more fish!”

“And then what?” asked the fisherman.

“You will make more money, and you’ll be able to buy a boat, and bring back larger catches of fish!”

“And then what?” asked the fisherman again.

“You could buy an even bigger boat and hire employees to work for you!”

“And then what?”

“You could make a lot of money running this business and become rich enough to retire!”

“And then what?”

“Then you’ll be free to do whatever you want! You could spend the rest of your days fishing for a few hours every morning, then sit on the beach watching the waves until the sun set…”