by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2023
(Sep. 1, 2023) — Long ago, in the land where the sun rises first, a poor farmer and his only son woke to find that their prized stallion had run away. The man’s neighbors gathered to him and exclaimed, “Oh, what bad fortune, to lose your prized stallion!”
But the farmer, with unconcerned expression, only said, “Maybe so. Maybe not. We’ll see.”
After three days the stallion returned, leading seven wild stallions with him. The farmer’s neighbors gathered to him and exclaimed, “Oh, what good fortune, to have back your stallion and more!”
But the farmer, with unimpressed expression, only said, “Maybe so. Maybe not. We’ll see.”
The next week, while the farmer’s son was breaking the new horses, the lad was thrown and broke his leg. The farmer’s neighbors gathered to him and exclaimed, “Oh, what bad fortune, to have your son become lame!”
But the farmer, with unconcerned expression, only said, “Maybe so. Maybe not. We’ll see.”
The next day, a military recruiter came through the village, drafting able-bodied men. The farmer’s son was passed by, due to his broken leg. The farmer’s neighbors gathered to him and exclaimed, “Oh, what good fortune; your only son does not have to go to war!”
But the farmer, with unimpressed expression, only said, “Maybe so. Maybe not. We’ll see.”
Herein lies the moral: Do not let what is called “bad” in your life consume you with sorrow, for it may turn into “good”; be grateful for the “good” in your life without depending on it to bring you lasting happiness. Take one day at a time, moment by moment, and be thankful in both the “bad” and the “good”.