The Trout and The River's Flow

Trout were swimming downstream in their river and a few began to complain: I wish this river flowed elsewhere, for as it is, we must weave and wind around all manner of hazards. Logs, rocks, noxious plants – all these block our way. And, worst of all, a choke point sits ahead where the greedy grizzly waits to easily slap us out of the water as we pass. We might as well be fish in a barrel.

One fat trout, contented with long life and great luck, spoke: but what are we to do? I agree that this river could be better, but we're stuck here like it or not. We're not beaver who can dam the river to change its flow. We're not ducks who can take flight whenever we wish. This river isn't ideal, but it nevertheless provides our home.

Another trout, young and dissatisfied with the senior's proclamation, replied somewhat cryptically: there is but one thing we trout can do.

A week went by.

This young trout reappeared and shouted “to the choke point!”. At those words, a large fraction of the trout crowded into the choke point where the greedy grizzly waited. So many filled the space that the flow of water was stopped. And even though the grizzly greedily snatched up trout after trout for its feast, the water began to spill out in another direction.