A KPMG (Business) Consultant is holidaying on the Spanish Coast when early one morning while sipping his cappuccino he spots a fisherman bringing in a small catch of fish. The following morning the same KPMG consultant sees that same fisherman, again bringing in a small catch.

The KPMG consultant can not contain himself so he walks over from his seaside villa’s private patio and begins a conversation with the fisherman.

KPMG: You know if you stayed out a bit longer I’m sure you’d catch more fish.

Fisherman: Yes, but why?

KPMG: Well if you caught more fish you’d have more money!

Fisherman: Yes, but why?

KPMG: Well if you had more money you could buy yourself another boat and employ some other fisherman!

Fisherman: Yes, but why?

KPMG: Well, the astute thing to do would be to start a company with a fleet of boats or perhaps even a franchise!

Fisherman: Yes, but why?

KPMG: Well, you’d make millions. You could control the entire fishing industry and build a large successful chain of international fishing businesses.

Fisherman: Yes, but why?

KPMG: You’d be rich, absolutely stinking rich!

Fisherman: Yes, but WHY would I want to be rich?

KPMG: Well, with all that money you could afford to retire early … (suddenly looking despondent) … at the sea… perhaps on the Spanish Coast, and go fishing in the morning…. (starting to look ill) and spend the rest of the day with your children and lovely wife.

Fisherman: My wife’s got some oats on the stove… would you like to come over for breakfast and meet the kids?

I’m struck by this story every time I think about it… I can’t remember where I first heard it but it is definitely something to think about. This past week I saw many fishermen. My parents have a gardener who looks after their property at the Breede river. He gardens for a lot of the houses there but doesn’t really work all that hard. Most of the time he’s probably sitting up on a hill watching the beautiful view and smoking his pipe.

Every time we go to the river my dad says “I can’t wait to retire here”.