THE PARABLE OF THE MYSTERIOUS LAKE

In a distant town, a long time ago, there was a mysterious lake. It teemed with various fishes but they had the uncanny habit of remaining at the bottom. Since the lake was many fathom deep, the people could not take advantage of this natural resource.
Meanwhile, in spite of the teeming lake, the people were hungry. They had a shortage of grains and very little animal supplements.
It was in the midst of this irony that a farmer among them revealed a supernatural ability. He claimed he had the prowess to siphon off huge quantities of water in his mouth. So the people requested him to take out the water in the lake so that all of them could gather the fish at the bottom.
At first the farmer was reluctant for it was a delicate process. But seeing the hunger and malnutrition all around, he finally relented.
However, he had one condition. "I will siphon off all the water from the lake and retain it in my mouth. However, I can only hold my breath for exactly three minutes. Within that period you must gather all the fish you can get. When the time is up I will wave my hands. You must all get out of the lake for I will then let go the water from my mouth, and the lake will return to its original depth."
"But why only three minutes?" the people complained. "We need more time to catch the fish."
"Three minutes because that is all the time I can retain the huge volume of water in my mouth," the farmer replied. "And, also, the amount of fish you can gather in that time is all you need to be well fed for a whole week."
They all agreed to have the lake dried up the next day. All the townpeople appeared, for the good news had spread all over town. Even children came with their parents. They surrounded the big lake, and there was almost no space open at the edge of the water line.
At the appointed time, the farmer reminded them of the three-minute limit. With hushed expectation, the people saw the farmer dip his lips in the water. Slowly at first, then with a tremendous suction, the lake began to recede. The fish appeared and the lake was soon a dry bed.
The people rushed in and began picking up all the fish within sight. All were able to get at least a dozen each.
After exactly three minutes, the farmer waved both hands as his signal. Everyone scampered out with their catch still struggling. Many had brought baskets, and others even put the fish in their pockets, shouting with joy at the bounty of their harvest.
In a wink, water gushed from the farmer's mouth. It took only a minute for the lake to return to its former appearance and depth.
The next week, the same procedure and excitement were repeated. This time more came, for people from nearby towns had heard about the blessings from the man who siphoned off the water. All went well and the people got plenty of fish within three minutes.
On the third week, still more came. People from the adjoining provinces had heard the good news and wanted to have a share of the harvest.
As in the past two sessions, the farmer warned all about the three-minute limit and his hand signals for clearing the bed. He then sipped all the water.
The supply of fish seemed inexhaustible. People filled baskets, cans, and even sacks with fish.
At the precise moment, the farmer waved his hands. But the people continued to gather the jumping fish, disregarding the frantic waving of the farmer.
He could no longer hold the water in his mouth. In a burst of fury the water spurted out. The lake immediately filled up, drowning all the people in it.

HUNGER DID NOT KILL THEM.
GREED DID.


"A man's character is his fate"
-Heraclitus