Some days start out with tears, and by lunchtime you figure out that things were being set up in your favor.
The Farmer and His Horse
In a small village, there lived a humble farmer who owned a magnificent horse. This horse was not only beautiful but also strong and capable, helping the farmer with his daily tasks. The villagers often admired the horse and encouraged the farmer to sell it for a good price. However, the farmer always replied, “This is my horse; I will not sell it.”
One day, the horse ran away into the mountains. The villagers came to the farmer, expressing their sympathy. “What bad luck!” they exclaimed. But the farmer simply replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”
A few days later, the horse returned, bringing with it several wild horses. The villagers were amazed and congratulated the farmer on his good fortune. “What great luck!” they said. The farmer, however, responded, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”
The farmer’s son decided to tame one of the wild horses. While trying to ride it, he fell and broke his leg. The villagers again expressed their sorrow. “What bad luck!” they said. The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”
Soon after, the king declared that all able-bodied young men must join the army to fight in a distant war. Because of his injury, the farmer’s son was exempted from service. The villagers came to the farmer once more, saying, “What great luck!” The farmer simply said, “Maybe so, maybe not. We’ll see.”
Life is full of ups and downs, and what may seem like misfortune can lead to unexpected blessings, and vice versa. The farmer’s calm acceptance of each situation teaches us the importance of perspective and patience in the face of uncertainty.
This parable encourages us to refrain from jumping to conclusions about our circumstances, reminding us that life’s events can unfold in ways we cannot predict.
I am not saying that I am free from jumping to conclusions, I just want to lend a kind word to the people that are going through a rough spell.
