It so happened once. There was a fisherman who moved to a new town. He was really skilled when it came to catching fish as almost everyday he used to have a net full. It was a major cause of envy for other fishermen of his older town due to which he moved to a new place. So he went fishing and as always came with loads of fish which he decided to sell in the market. The market was a small place where almost everyone knew everyone. So to make himself known was a task on hand for our fisherman. He found a nice small place in the market where he could sit until evening to sell his catch. Enthusiastic as he was, he made a sign board out of a wooden plank and painted it nice and bold with “FRESH FISH SOLD HERE”. Feeling absolutely delighted with his work he sat down waiting for his first customer.
Soon after a few minutes an elderly man came to his shop. The fisherman was happy that the first customer turned up so soon than he had expected. But the man instead of asking the price of the fish asked,”Hey fella! Why have you written ‘Fresh Fish Sold Here’? What is the sense of writing ‘here’? It is very much clear that if you are sitting here, you are selling here and nowhere else.” The fisherman saw some logic in it. He took down the sign board and repainted over ‘here’ so the board now read ‘FRESH FISH SOLD’.
Hardly some good time passed when a lady walked up to the fisherman and said,”Why have you written ‘Fresh’? Do you mean the others here are sending stale fish? We are honest people and everyone here is selling fresh stuff. Only you seem to be new here.” The fisherman said almost apologetically,”You’re right Mam. I’ll get that fixed right away”. Down came the sign board and off went ‘Fresh’. The board now read ‘FISH SOLD’. “Perfect, young man” said the lady smiling ear to ear and went her way.
The fisherman sat back again musing over the things since morning looking at his fish which gave him a ‘dead look’ back, if you see what I mean. The fisherman was still reflecting only when 2 school kids came over and said,”Uncle Uncle, why have you written ‘Sold’ on your board? It is so obvious if you are sitting in the market with fish, you are going to sell only and not distribute for free.” The sign board came down for the 3rd time and after the next round of change read ‘FISH’.
It was not even proper afternoon yet and the fisherman sat there with the same number of fish there were. The only thing that actually diminished were the words on the sign board. And lo, there came a middle aged woman. This time the fisherman was sure like hell that the lady is going to buy stuff from him. All his assumptions got belied when she said,”Do you think people of this town are fools? This is the fish market. Long before you enter this place the smell of the fish makes it clear enough that people are selling fish here. What is the meaning behind writing ‘Fish’? Do you think we will mistake your fish for potatoes or apples?” The fisherman got exasperated and in a fit of rage immediately broke the board and threw it away.
This is a story that I read 30 years back but it is still so true even today. I’m sure a lot of us won’t find us any different from our poor fisherman. Infact isn’t it what most of us are doing and keep doing for most of our lives? In an attempt to get accepted we keep looking for affirmations and validations for whatever we do however small or big that thing is. How many times do we do something just because we feel like doing it totally irrespective of what the others think? The fisherman was new to the place and naturally wanted recognition and acceptance. But in an attempt to please everyone who came across he ended up frustrated. He kept finding logic in what everyone, even kids, said and kept doubting his intentions. Did everyone accept him after whatever changes he made to his poor sign board? Not necessarily. And these were people who were actually not interested in buying fish. They were only interested in passing on their opinions.
Think of the number of people surrounding us and the countless number of views and opinions they have to offer everytime. Can we actually listen to all of them and follow them all? No. Trying to please everyone is always a futile exercise. We do it mostly when our faith in our intentions is shaky. So what can one do? KEEP IT SIMPLE. Care about the views and opinions of those who matter to you, who are close to you and genuinely love you. Even this does not mean that you have to always follow what they say. But still it will keep the number of people much less. And most importantly, HAVE FAITH in your intentions and yourself. This faith can be built, it can be cultivated. The key again is turning inward. Go for it!
Posted By- Mallika Pande