A parable is a fable or short moral story. I came across this parable from a source unknown. It's a great way to explain why some people who appear wealthy really aren't and why some who appear poor are just the opposite.
The Fishermen
Mark and John are both fishermen in a small village. Mark and John have been friends since childhood.
Every working day Mark and John go out to their boats. John has three fine ships. Mark has one that it's good repair but it's seen it's better days. John has a full crew for each ship. Mark has a few good men that work for him.
Mark's nets are mended and patched, John always has new nets and new equipment.
When their nets are full both men return to shore with their catch. As the townspeople watch the fishermen come in they often remark about John's success.
They whisper among themselves that Mark must not be very good with managing his business. After all he has an old boat, patched nets and a small crew.
"His wife will have to raise the family in such a small plain house. John's wife has it much better. I hear they are adding on."
But a funny thing happens now. Mark and John both head for the market. Delivering their catch to the fishmonger, they both receive their payment in gold. However, John now has some extra stops to make.
John stops at the mason's house, the shipwright's house, the rope maker's house and on down the line. By the time he returns to his own home, his purse is light. He turns over the remainder of his gold to his wife so that she can buy goods in the market tomorrow.
Mark has some stops to make too. Mark also stops at the mason's house, the shipwright's house and the rope maker's house. However, with each stop, his purse gets a little heavier.
How can this be?
Mark lives a frugal and modest lifestyle. As such, he needs are small and he has a surplus of gold each month.
Mark decided to approach the craftsman in his town with an offer. He would give them money to buy raw materials like stone and metal. In return, once the goods were manufactured into items and sold, the craftsman would repay the money, plus an additional amount for the use of the money. So on his way home, Mark has his second catch of the day, his interest income from his investments.
John, the wealthy man, has to pay back all the money that he has borrowed. He purchased first one than two ships on his word that he would repay the shipwright. He outfitted the boats with rope and sail, also borrowed. His wife demanded a fine home to fit their success.
All of John's money was tied up in his business so he approached the mason with an offer to pay him more later for a home today. The mason was only too eager to accept.
All of the craftsman in town knew they could count on John to make his payments. They know they could also count on Mark to loan them money. But they also knew that Mark was a diligent man and wanted his payments on time.
When Mark returns home, he shares his full purse with his wife. The discuss the needs of the family, new sandals for the children, and discuss the need to pay for a tutor. Thus they set aside treasure for the future. The gold left over will be sent out to work again. It goes back to craftsman in town to earn yet more.
As John returns home, his wife informs them that she requires a new gown of silk and that the children are in need of new amusements as they have grown tired of their toys. Reluctantly, John empties his purse into the hands of his wife. One of these days, he's going to get ahead. "Maybe I should buy another boat…" he thinks to himself as he drifts off to sleep.
The Moral
It doesn't matter how many fish you catch in your net. What matters is how many fish you bring home. There is only one real way to wealth: spend less than you make. It's as simple as that.
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