The Curious Traveller was traversing a wooded area of the Kingdom when he came upon a weather-beaten sign that read ‘Field of Dreams.’ A short distance away, he noticed a tiny cottage perched at the entrance of what appeared to be a large cemetery teeming with rows of graves.

Intrigued, the Curious Traveller strolled over to the building and raised the rusty metal knocker. Instantly, the door opened and a wizened old man stood in front of him. “How can I help you?” he grunted.

“I am curious about the Field of Dreams,” the Curious Traveller responded. “What is this place?”

“This is where the businesses of the Kingdom are taken when they die,” the old man explained. “I am the caretaker who lays them to rest.”

Just beyond the cottage, the Curious Traveller noticed a walled-off area secured by a heavy iron gate with a large chain and padlock. “What’s in that section of the Field of Dreams?” he queried.

The caretaker sighed deeply and shook his head slowly. “Sit down, my friend,” said the caretaker, pointing to a rickety chair in the office. “Let me tell you the story of what lies beyond that iron gate.”

Remembering the glory days

“Decades ago, the Kingdom had a vibrant business community. Although they weren’t extremely wealthy,”  the Caretaker pointed out, “many small and medium-sized enterprises that were native to the Kingdom were growing steadily and attaining profitability.

“The Kingdom’s citizens took pride in buying local products and there was little desire for imported wares. In addition, many of them didn’t have easy access to foreign coins to buy overseas goods.” The caretaker rubbed his jaw. “Then, a little over 20 years ago, things changed.”

The Curious Traveller was eager to learn more. “What happened?”

“It’s a complex story, but I will try to explain it as simply as I can,” the caretaker promised. “When the guardians of the Kingdom’s treasury decided to remove the restrictions on access to foreign coins, some businesses started importing from outside instead of producing from within.

“Suddenly, the citizens were able to enjoy fancy merchandise, never before seen in the land.” The caretaker explained that the high demand for overseas goods fuelled the need to source more foreign coins, which in turn put a lot of pressure on the value of the local currency.

High interest brings harm

The treasury officials attempted to dissuade citizens from exchanging their own coins for foreign money. “To try and keep the local currency stable,” the caretaker revealed, “they began to offer investment papers that promised very high interest rates to the citizens.”

“But why didn’t the businesses just invest their coins in the papers and benefit from the high interest rates too?” the Curious Traveller asked with a quizzical look.

“Well, some of them did and received a bounty of profit,” the caretaker admitted. “However, the high interest on investments also affected the loans that many businesses had taken out.” He explained that their loan interest rates quickly climbed to heights that were unmanageable.

“Very soon, many once-thriving enterprises began to buckle under the pressure of trying to meet exorbitant loan repayments.” The caretaker pursed his lips tightly. “It was heart-breaking to see so many proud businesses reduced to begging pitifully for reprieves on their loans.”

The Curious Traveller interjected, “Surely the Kingdom’s treasury officials did something to help these struggling businesses to recover!”

Death by the F-Plague

“No, my friend,” the caretaker sighed, “their unfortunate situation only got worse.” Abruptly he got up and motioned his guest to the door. “I’ve said too much already. It is best for you to go now.”

“What happened to them?” The Curious Traveller demanded. “Why won’t you finish the story?”

“No one really wants to talk about it,” the caretaker replied, looking furtively over his shoulder. “Many of the businesses suffered an excruciating death from a horrible disease called the F-Plague. Any business which contracted this ailment was treated like an outcast and left to die.”

“When the F-plague swept the Kingdom”, the caretaker continued, “thousands of businesses succumbed. Even today, we still bury businesses that were crippled by the F-Plague but managed to hobble on for years until the disease took its inevitable course.”

The Curious Traveller tried to quell the tears that were rapidly forming in his eyes. “How are the Kingdom’s businesses faring now?”

A portent of doom

“The heady days of the past have never returned,” the Caretaker replied. “The businesses face so many challenges that make it difficult for them to prosper.” He straightened his shoulders, “In fact, I must go now to start preparing a new plot to accommodate even more bodies.”

“Why?” the Curious Traveller inquired. “Has another disease befallen the businesses?”

“The guardians of the Treasury announced a new tax on business revenue which will make it difficult for many to survive,” the caretaker explained. “You see, cash flow is the lifeblood of a business. When starved of its lifeblood, a business will become anaemic and susceptible to harm.”

Overwhelmed with sorrow, the Curious Traveller decided to pay his respects to some of the fallen businesses. “May I enter through the gate to look at some of the graves?” he asked the Caretaker.

The Caretaker shuffled to the wall where a large key was hanging. “Be my guest,” he said, handing the Curious Traveller the key. “I have to get back to work now. My services will be needed soon.”

Copyright © 2015 Cherryl Hanson Simpson. No reproduction without written consent.

Originally published in The Daily Observer, September 10, 2015.

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Cherryl is a money coach and business mentor, and founder of Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services. See more of her work at www.entrepreneursinjamaica.com and www.financiallysmart.org. Contact Cherryl