A Fishy Story

A man was fishing by the river. It was a very still, warm day and the river was very calm. The water was so clear that the fish, the bait and the fishing line were all visible. Most of the fish would come very close to the bait but then swim off. They would notice the bait, the float and the cord and then go away. Only the stupid ones took the bait. Those who did certainly experienced some excitement for a few seconds but soon found themselves in the frying pan!

Discustion:

Fishermen cannot harm fish as long as the fish have no attraction to the bait. However, if the fish are attracted to the bait, the game changes. The fisherman becomes the master, because he can now decide the life or death of the fish. The fish are at his mercy. In this life, we lose our freedom when we get attracted to the big and small baits of the world. When we create a need, we become dependent upon others or circumstances to fulfil it. We are then no longer free. It is as though the objects and circumstances become our masters. We become subservient.

"One with fewer needs has fewer masters."