maybe-taoist-story

Maybe (Taoist story)A classic ancient story illustrates the importance of equanimity and emotional resilience beautifully. Once upon a time, there was a wise old farmer who had worked on the land for over 40 years. One morning, while walking to his stable, he noticed that his horse had run away. His neighbours came to visit and sympathetically said to the farmer, __uch bad luck_.__aybe,_ the farmer replied. The following morning, however, the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. __uch good luck,_ the neighbours exclaimed.__aybe,_ the farmer replied. The following afternoon, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses and was thrown off, causing him to break his leg. The neighbours came to visit and tried to show sympathy and said to the farmer, __ow unfortunate_. __aybe,_ answered the farmer. The following morning military officials came to the farmer__ village to draft young men into the army to fight in a new war. Observing that the farmer__ son__ leg was broken, they did not draft him into the war. The neighbours congratulated him on his good luck and the farmer calmly replied, __aybe_.