The Purpose of Life

“What is the purpose of your visit to Oresjö Lake?” an old man gently asked me.

Oresjö Lake is located about a twenty-minute drive from the city of Borås in Sweden. The area is a beautiful blend of lakes and forests, showcasing nature at its most inventive and pleasing. My colleague Mikael and I had a day off from work, so we decided to explore the surroundings of Borås, with Oresjö as our first spontaneous stop after a short bus ride.

We wandered through the small town and discovered the expansive lake. I was spellbound by the natural beauty—the blue waters stretching to the horizon, the large green forest behind us, and the lush grass creating an astounding view. As we walked along the lake, we were amazed to find ourselves alone in such a vast space.

In the distance, we spotted a figure sitting by the water’s edge. As we approached, we found it was an old man fishing. We asked to sit nearby and struck up a conversation. His name was Alfred, a 95-year-old entrepreneur who had founded and chaired four tech companies in Sweden. Even at his age, he remained active on all four boards. On weekends, he enjoyed cycling and fishing.

“We are just sightseeing,” I replied to Alfred. “I had a day off from work, so I asked Mikael to join me in exploring the nature around Borås. We stopped at this lake and kept walking, which led us here.”

“Great! You both look like real travellers. But what is the purpose of your sightseeing?” he asked again.

Taken aback by the question, I responded with one of my own. “What is the purpose of your visit to this lake?”

He smiled. “I am here for fishing, which gives me a tasty and healthy lunch. More importantly, I spend quality time alone, exploring my inner self and having conversations with myself.”

He continued, “Every action has a purpose. So your visit must have one too—even if you haven’t thought about it yet.”

“Never mind. How about a game called the ‘Purpose Game’? Are you interested?” he asked, his face bright with a compassionate smile.

“What is the purpose of cows?” he inquired.

“Cows provide milk and meat to humans. But originally, cows weren’t meant for this—humans domesticated them for their own benefit,” Mikael replied.

“Yes, you are right. Still, a cow’s life serves a purpose: to support humans,” Alfred chuckled.

“You may know that during the Chinese Civil War, many farmers were killed, causing famine. Later, Chairman Mao launched the ‘Four Pests Campaign’ during the Great Leap Forward. They tried to eliminate rats, flies, mosquitoes, and sparrows, thinking these pests destroyed crops.

“The Chinese followed the order, killing sparrows and insects. The result was worse crops the next year—locusts swarmed the fields, worsening the famine. The campaign revealed the purpose of sparrows and insects: though they eat grains, they also control pests, saving more in the long run.”

“So, every creature has a purpose. Some provide direct support to nature, others play a role in the ecosystem. I once saw the Olympic victory speech of an Ethiopian athlete. He said he could now die in peace, knowing his life had served a purpose for his country.”

Alfred continued, “I have a cat at home. It protects our house from rats and bats and is beloved by my wife and children. Still, I wonder what its true purpose is. Many humans live like the cat—eating, sleeping, raising children, and eventually dying, without leaving a mark.

“I don’t want to live that way. For 60 years, I’ve come to this lake to enjoy solitude, and here I discovered my purpose in life.”

Mikael interjected, “Sir, may I offer another view?” Alfred nodded.

“Life is random and evolutionary. Based on the Big Bang theory, human evolution, DNA studies, and fossil discoveries, life seems like a random occurrence. The ‘purpose of life’ is a story created by our ancestors for their own interests.”

Alfred smiled. “Homo sapiens thrive on stories. Our survival, families, societies, and nations are built on values and laws—just stories we choose to believe.

“I am a storyteller. Let me tell you another story.”

“Last year, I camped in Örebro, a town near Stockholm. A local told me about a thousand-year-old castle near a river. I set out before sunrise, packed my gear, and walked in the direction he gave. I missed a turn and kept going. Hours later, I hadn’t found the castle.

“But I reached a small hill with a stunning view—the green valley, the blue river, the rising sun. I sat there for hours, appreciating the beauty. It became one of the best days of my life.

“My goal was to reach the castle. I didn’t, whether because I missed it or because it never existed. But the journey gave me a reason to wake up, trek, and experience the world. The journey, not the destination, was the real purpose.”

Alfred began packing his things.

“One day, I pondered the purpose of mosquitoes, the second biggest killers of humans after other humans—spreading diseases like malaria and dengue.”

“Did you find an answer?” I asked.

“Not entirely. But science says mosquitoes are food for frogs and fish. To me, they remind us of our vulnerability—even the smallest creatures can challenge us.”

“Alright, young men. I’m glad you came. Natural places like this lake help you connect with your inner self, your soul, and your essence.”

With that, he left. We sat quietly by the vast lake, surrounded by green grass and calm air. In that stillness, I felt nature beginning to speak to my inner self—urging me to reflect on the purpose of my own existence.

Rana Sohail Ahmad, a multifaceted author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. With a background in Engineering and Business Administration, he’s the founder and CEO of Four thriving Global companies. Beyond his professional success, Rana is deeply interested in psychology, history, Technology and social sciences. He’s also an avid cyclist, yoga instructor, and health trainer. However, his most significant endeavor is the Quest of Happiness Foundation (QHF), which he founded to spread happiness and well-being. QHF conducts workshops on happiness, physical health, and career planning, especially for teenagers and university graduates, while also taking part in social initiatives like cleaning and plantation campaigns. Rana Sohail Ahmad’s upcoming book offers a unique blend of personal growth, and social responsibility, all centered around the theme of happiness with scientific and management practices.