Paolo and Tomas, cousins, lived on a small island in a big river. They were born there as were their parents before them. In the fields, they found a spot of shade as they ate their merienda before returning to work the land.
As they were eating mangos, Paolo put his mango seed in a small sack. Tomas was confused. Dropping his seed on the ground, he said to Paolo, “What’s with that? Are you so hungry you are hoping to eat the stone later?”
As if to double down on his action, Paolo picked up the seed left by Tomas and placed in the same sack.
Paolo responded, “I am saving them to plant them. Who knows, maybe they will grow into great trees where we can get all of the mangos we want.”
Tomas looked at Paolo with scorn. “Paulo,” said Tomas, “You have lived here since you were born, but you still don’t know how things work? We work land that we don’t own. We live in homes that we don’t own. The Santos family own everything. We give 70% of all we grow to them. They don’t even give us the seedlings for the next season’s plantings. As if that is not enough, every year, the whole family comes in their pugpug (river boat) and they start collecting all the fruit that grows on the trees that are on their land. Even the children do that. And they don’t take 70%— they take everything that is ripe and commonly end up destroying much of what is not ready for harvest.”
Paolo just nodded. No need to respond to the obvious.
Tomas continued. “Those seeds may never grow and if they do will not fruit for many years. And what if they do someday bear fruit? You plant trees and the fruit just goes into the bellies of those who don’t deserve it… much less need it. It is like investing in your making your house nicer. THEY own the house, not you. They can kick you out anytime. Knowing our landlord, if you make the house too nice, he may tell you that should pay 75% of what you grow… or tell you to move out.”
“You are right Tomas.” said Paolo. “It might be a waste of time, But not much of a waste. 5 minutes of work may come to nothing…. who knows. Maybe someday I will enjoy these mangos. Maybe I won’t but my children will. Or maybe new people tending the land will. Or perhaps the Santos family children and grandchildren will. That is all okay. 5 minutes of work is worth the risk.”
Years later, the work proved worth the risk. Paolo got a job overseas sending money home to his wife and family so that they eventually were able to buy the land on which they lived. The families of Paolo and Tomas were both able to enjoy the mango trees— their shade in the heat of day and their strong and expansive branches to be explored by the children. Every year they enjoyed the sweet wonderful fruits and sold extras in the market.
<This story is strongly based on my father-in-law. The story reminds me that investing on possibilities is a risk… but there may be a greater risk in doing nothing.>
