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The Fishers’ Bridge: A Story

A long time ago, there was a community of fishers who lived right on the edge of a gigantic river filled with fish.

Now, since they were on the shore, they all staked out their own spots, squabbling from time to time over who could fish where & when.

They caught some fish here & there.

Not too bad…as in, better than nothing.

But when the weather changed a bit or rain got scarce, the fish quit biting for them.

Then some REAL squabbling began.

But even as the fishers stood there glumly, glaring at their poles & each other, every now & then they would glimpse an enormous flash or hear a huge splash way out in the middle of the river.

They couldn’t ever get a clear look, but each of them would whisper, quietly to themselves…if I could only get out there, that would be mine!

Finally, each of them spent a whole lot of time & money, each trying to build their own rickety little bridges to get themselves out over the middle of that huge river.

And when they finally got out as far as they could, when they could not go any more because they were out of wood or nails…they would cling to their pitifully makeshift constructions, swaying crazily from the current, the winds & even their own terrified, awkward movements as they tried to simultaneously hang on & fish.

Then it slowly began to dawn on them that if they did hook that big big fish, there’s no way they could even land it. They’d simply be dragged down into the water.

So they all gradually came back to the shore & stewed some more.

Until finally, a couple of folks had an idea.

And they started making up plans.

Other people said they were crazy, but they kept at it.

Some other people tried to buy the plans from them, and when they were rebuffed, tried to steal the plans.

But still the original folks kept planning & working, working & planning.

Finally, some other folks got it. They offered to help, add their own ideas & even take on some of the preparation work.

And lo & behold, the fishers…working together…built a big beautiful shining bridge.

Something more massive & amazing than any of them had ever imagined would even be possible.

They streamed onto their handiwork, each of them picking his or her own particular sweet spot.

Some of them wanted to keep chatting a bit with new friends they’d made during the construction. Others wanted to get right down to it. Whichever way they decided to go about it, they were all able to confidently & surely start casting out their lines.

And they waited.

One would get a bit of a nibble & they’d all tense when the person gave a stifled exclamation.

But then nothing came of it & they’d hunker down again.

And they waited.

Until a long, loud shout rang in the air.

Everyone turned to look & saw one of their number, a young fresh-faced girl who decided to become a fisher herself after getting involved in the bridge construction, standing with her pole bent double in her hands, hanging on as best she could.

Some people immediately rushed over to see how she was doing.

A few of her closer friends cheered her on.

Some more experienced fishers stepped close & gave her advice, watching the progress in the water with eyes that only come from many many years of both good & bad seasons.

More & more people gathered around, watching the proceedings, some having just dropped their tackle in place, others still carrying their fishing poles.

Gradually, the fisher worked her catch in close & people jumped into action all around her.

A couple of people grabbed nets, ready to help her land her fish.

Everyone gathered leaned in, waiting to see what happened…

And then suddenly there it was, twinkling & gleaming in the sun, an absolutely breathtaking catch.

It was the kind of fish that none of them would ever have seen in their entire lives if they had stayed fishing on the shore.

People snapped pictures of the beaming fisher.

She insisted that the folks who helped her step in & share in the moment.

And then another long loud shout rang out…

And another…

And another…

Until the bridge literally teemed with fishers & fish, everyone helping & sharing & succeeding.

Best of all, every one of the fishers caught their fill, went home happy that night & couldn’t wait to go back the next day. And the day after. And the day after that.

~ The End ~

In case you missed it…

The River…is the business community all around each of us.

The Bridge…is an amalgamation of things like user groups, conferences, and other events like TechMixer & ecosystem support groups like TechBirmingham.

The Fish…are all those business out there just looking to bite on the services we can offer to them.

The Fishers…are all of us doing some form of IT work or service.

In the end, it all boils down to one simple question:

Where do you put the apostrophe?

Are you helping create a fisher’s bridge, which may be barely big enough or strong enough to support even your own weight?

Or are you helping to create a fishers’ bridge? Something which can support a bevy of other professionals, all of whom you could call on to help you offer more services & solutions to your own practice, which helps you grow.

|| posted by chris under community, epiphany || || ||