pitcher of profit!

a successful trader was very upset with himself
and his friends and fellow traders didn't know why!

"you are much more successful in trading than we are
then why are you always melancholic?" they asked him

"today, the market moved up and down three times
and covered a total distance of 85 points.
and look what i got.....just 34!
i missed 51 points!!
yesterday also the same thing happened.
i could get only 23 points out of 47 possible!
don't you think this is enough reason to be unhappy about!"
explained the sad trader.

--

day after day
week after week
the trader kept gaining points
but the worry lines on his forehead kept getting deeper and darker!

--

one friday
after trading hours
he packed his bag
kicked start his bike
and rode straight out of the town
to his native village
on the bank of river dausa.

--

his grandparents noted the tension
written all over once-radiant face of their grand child!
"what's the matter, son!" asked his grandfather who had himself been
a successful fruit trader in his life!

the trader shared his dilemma.

"don't worry about it! everything gonnabe ok!"
the grandfather consoled him.

--

next morning
the grandpa woke up early
went to his grandson's room
and asked
"would you like to come with me for a walk to the river!"

the trader was not interested
"no, grandpa, i don't wish to!"

"you will feel better, son!"
the grandpa tried again.

the trader desperately wanted to feel better.
so, this logic appealed to him.

he reluctantly got out of the bed
freshened up
and joined his grandpa.

both walked all the way to the river.

it was very early in the morning
and the view was breath-taking.

the cool breeze by the river had a soothing effect on the young prodigal trader!

and then

suddenly

the youngman saw something
which shook him big!

he saw the village ladies
go to the river bank,
fill their earthern pitchers with water
put the pitchers on their head
and walk away
smiling and singing!

what struck him was
that the ladies
had not insisted on
or worried about
carrying the entire river
alongwith them.

the ladies knew that river was gushing with huge discharge of water
but they knew their own storing capacity
they knew their carrying capacity
they knew their requirement!

they were happy with pitcher-ful of water!
every lady was carrying a pitcher they could afford
small, big, very big
but none was carrying a pitcher which could suck in the entire river

besides, they also knew that
river will not stop running
and that
they will be back
the next day!

the trader got the message.

"it is not important whether you take home the entire rive of profits

whats important is whether you have filled your pitcher of ability!"

his face suddenly got lit with the radiance
which he once had!

he looked towards his grandfather
the old man knew what his talented grandson had learnt!

both smiled
held each others' hands
and walked back home....

with the trader anxious to hear the opening bell ring on monday!