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The story of Pablo and Bruno in the “Parable of Pipelines” is a metaphor for the difference between working for money and creating passive income. It is a book written by Burke Hedges, who is a motivational speaker and entrepreneur. The book aims to inspire people to build their own pipelines of residual income, rather than relying on a single source of income that depends on their time and effort.
Parable of Pipelines
Pablo and Bruno are two cousins who live in a poor village that has no water supply. They are hired by the village to carry buckets of water from a nearby river to the village square, where people can buy water for their needs. They are paid one gold coin for every bucket they deliver.
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Bruno is happy with this arrangement, as he thinks he has found a secure and steady job. He works hard every day, carrying as many buckets as he can, and spends his money on food, clothes, and entertainment. He believes that the more buckets he carries, the more money he will make, and the happier he will be.
Pablo, on the other hand, is not satisfied with this situation. He realizes that there is a limit to how many buckets he can carry in a day, and that his income depends on his physical strength and health. He also sees that the villagers are still thirsty, and that the water problem is not solved. He decides to build a pipeline that will bring water from the river to the village square, without him having to carry buckets.
At first, Bruno laughs at Pablo’s idea, and calls him a dreamer. He thinks that Pablo is wasting his time and money on a pipe dream, while he is making easy money by carrying buckets. He tries to persuade Pablo to give up his plan and join him in his bucket business.
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Pablo ignores Bruno’s advice, and continues to work on his pipeline. He invests his money in buying pipes and tools, and spends his time digging trenches and laying pipes. He works harder than ever before, but he earns less than Bruno, as he has to reduce his bucket deliveries to make time for his pipeline project.
After several months of hard work, Pablo completes his pipeline. He turns on the valve, and water flows from the river to the village square. He no longer has to carry buckets, but he still gets paid one gold coin for every bucket of water that flows through his pipeline. He has created a passive income stream that pays him even when he is not working.
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Bruno is shocked by Pablo’s success, and realizes that he has made a mistake. He sees that Pablo has more money, more time, and more freedom than him. He also sees that Pablo has solved the water problem for the village, and has made a positive impact on the lives of many people. He wishes he had listened to Pablo earlier, and built his own pipeline.
Moral Lesson in the Parable of Pipelines
- Lesson 1: Jobs that trade time for money are not reliable in the long term. The story shows how Bruno, who chooses to carry buckets of water, earns more money in the short term, but he becomes dependent on his job and cannot stop working without losing his income. He also faces the risk of losing his job due to competition, drought, or illness.
- Lesson 2: The day you stop working, money flow stops. (If you haven’t built any system) The story contrasts Bruno’s situation with Pablo’s, who decides to build a pipeline that can deliver water to the village without his physical presence. Pablo faces many challenges and sacrifices, but he eventually enjoys the benefits of having a steady flow of water (and money) without having to work hard every day. He also creates value for himself and others by providing a reliable and convenient service.
- Lesson 3: It’s hard to convince people to build systems instead of living paycheck to paycheck. The story depicts how Pablo struggles to persuade Bruno and other villagers to join him in building the pipeline. Most people are skeptical, cynical, or fearful of his idea. They prefer to stick to what is easy and comfortable, rather than taking risks and investing in their future.
- Lesson 4: The more you earn, the more lavish your lifestyle becomes. And the harder it is to escape from it. The story reveals how Bruno’s income increases as he carries more water with bigger buckets. However, instead of saving or investing his money, he spends it on luxuries and pleasures. He becomes addicted to his lifestyle and trapped in a cycle of working and spending.
- Lesson 5: Never underestimate the power of compounding. The story demonstrates how Pablo’s pipeline grows exponentially as he leverages his time, effort, and money to build more pipelines. He also teaches other people how to build their own pipelines and earns a percentage of their income. He harnesses the power of compounding to multiply his wealth and impact.
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[Link View]: The story of Pablo and Bruno in the “Parable of Pipelines”