14/09/2021
The Impatient Fisherman
the story of a man whose impatience left him empty-handed
Mr. Wilson went fishing for his dinner, but as the day wore on, there wasn’t a fish to be seen.
Just after Mr. Wilson gave up out of frustration, something rather remarkable happened...
MORAL: Patience and planning can prevent unnecessary difficulty.
Mr. Wilson decided to go fishing and he promised his wife he would bring her back some fish. So he walked down to the river under the bright afternoon sun and sat down on a rock with his fishing pole.
But there wasn’t a fish to be seen. Every so often a little bitty fish would zip by where he was sitting, and he would chase it with his net until he would trip on a rock and fall face down into the water.
“Lousy fish!” Mr. Wilson grunted.
The day wore on, the sun started to set, and Mr. Wilson still had not caught a single fish. He became frustrated and he was stomping angrily in the water when his next-door neighbors, Mr. Brown and his son Billy, came up to the river’s edge to watch the sunset and catch a few fish.
Mr. Wilson didn’t even speak to them as he stormed off because he was frustrated by his wasted afternoon.
“Gee!” Billy said. “He’s pretty angry, isn’t he?”
“Hungry, I suppose,” Mr. Brown said. “He should’ve waited a bit longer. The fish come up to feed when the air is cool like this.”
As he spoke, they heard the sound of fish breaking the surface of the water, and the father and son easily scooped half a dozen fish out of the river.
How often do we quit when we’re just one step away from our goal? Sometimes we get into the trap of thinking the world is working against us and that nothing is going our way and never will. In reality, however, we’re creating our own pain and suffering!
If Mr. Wilson wanted to catch fish, spending a few minutes learning about their habits would have made a big difference in his results. Knowing what they like to eat, when they eat, and where they’re most likely to rest would have saved him a day of frustration and kept him in dry clothes.
When things seem to be going from bad to worse, it may be time to pull back and think differently about the situation. What is there that we don’t know? Is there someone who has been here before and may have some insight that would help us to be more successful?
Pride and frustration may be keeping us from discovering just the information we need to succeed. Perhaps we should ask for ideas from those who have been successful in the past. Most people are not only willing to help, but they’re also happy to share their lessons learned.
Think about those areas of your life where you feel like you’re spinning your wheels and, no matter how much effort you expend, the results just aren’t there. Then ask yourself if a better plan or a mentor could help you move past that obstacle.
Maybe you already have the understanding you need, but you’re too busy rushing forward to think through a plan. Slowing down, taking your time, and examining the best course forward often saves you a lot of time and effort. This strategy will lead you to far greater successes in your life!
It’s better to move patiently and wisely forward, than to be the first to the lake and leaving empty-handed once again.
Self-Reflection Questions:
• Is there an area of my life where I feel frustrated and unsuccessful?
• What friend, coworker, or family member may know more about the situation than I do?
• Is pride or frustration keeping me from asking for help in areas where I can be more successful?