Inspirational story: Is the fish really too big for you?

One bright and sunny morning, two fishermen decided to spend their day fishing at a nearby pond. One of them was an experienced fisherman who had spent many years perfecting his skills. The other was a beginner, eager to learn but still finding his way in the world of fishing. Both were excited and hopeful that their day would be filled with good catches and a delicious meal. They packed everything they needed, fishing rods, bait, a small stove, a pan, cooking utensils, and ingredients to prepare a wonderful meal by the pond. When they arrived, they carefully chose their fishing spots, making sure to sit a little apart so they wouldn’t get in each other’s way or compete for the same fish. The experienced fisherman was quick to cast his line, and within minutes, he caught a large, beautiful fish. He smiled with pride as he gently placed it in his icebox to keep it fresh. He had a plan to cook the fish whole for lunch. He continued fishing and soon caught several smaller fish, all of which he also stored in his icebox to take home.

Meanwhile, the beginner struggled. He cast his line again and again, but nothing bit. He watched the experienced fisherman with admiration, feeling a little frustrated. After about an hour, the experienced fisherman noticed his companion’s struggle and kindly offered, “Would you like me to show you a few tips?” But the beginner smiled and replied, “Thank you, but I want to figure it out on my own.” The experienced fisherman respected his choice and continued fishing. Not long after, the beginner felt a strong tug on his line. He reeled it in excitedly and was overjoyed to see a large, glistening fish. But to the experienced fisherman’s surprise, the beginner carefully removed the hook and threw the fish back into the pond. The experienced fisherman raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He watched as the beginner caught another big fish and, once again, tossed it back into the water. This continued several times. Each time the beginner caught a large fish, he would let it go.

After a while, curiosity and a bit of frustration got the better of the experienced fisherman. He walked over and asked, “Why are you throwing all these big, beautiful fish back into the pond? They’re perfect for cooking!” The beginner sighed and explained, “I know they are big and beautiful, but my pan is small. I need a fish that will fit in my pan.” The experienced fisherman was taken aback. He blinked in disbelief and then gently laughed. “My friend, you don’t need a small fish. If you catch a big fish, you can simply cut it into pieces so it fits in your pan.” The beginner paused and looked thoughtful. “Oh… I never thought of that,” he said quietly. The experienced fisherman placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Sometimes, we limit ourselves by focusing only on what we have or what we know. We forget that we can adjust, adapt, and make things work. You see, life is like fishing. When an opportunity comes your way, it might seem too big or too difficult, but that doesn’t mean you should let it go. You can always break it into smaller parts and work with it bit by bit.”

The beginner nodded slowly, realizing the lesson was not just about fish and pans. It was about life, challenges, and problem-solving. “Thank you. I understand now,” he said with a grateful smile. That day, both fishermen continued fishing with a renewed sense of purpose. The beginner caught another big fish and proudly cut it into pieces so it would fit his pan. Together, they cooked their fresh catch by the pond, sharing laughter and wisdom over a delicious meal. As they ate, the beginner realized he had learned something far more valuable than just how to fish, he had learned how to approach life with flexibility, creativity, and an open mind.