Posted by Dinah on February 2, 2011, at 20:50:50
In reply to Re: A Follow-up » Daisym, posted by Dinah on February 2, 2011, at 20:15:38
A farmer in northern China, near the Mongolian border, realized one day that his horse was missing. He had no idea if the horse was stolen, or if it just got loose and ran away. It was a great inconvenience, in any event, because the farmer needed his horse for the farm work. The farmers neighbors all came to console him for his great loss, grieving at his great loss. But the farmer told the neighbors not to grieve, pointing out that what had happened was not necessarily so bad, and it didnt warrant grief.
A few days later, the horse returned by itself, and it was accompanied by a magnificent Mongolian stallion. The stallion had apparently strayed from its herd, and simply following the farmers horse back to the farm. This turn of events not only relieved the farmer but now also increased his wealth. The neighbors returned, this time to rejoice the farmers good fortune, and even to envy his fine new animal. But once again, the farmer would not rejoice with the neighbors, and told them that what had happened was not necessarily so good.
A little time later, the farmers son was out riding the Mongolian stallion, and since his riding experience had been limited to riding a slow farm horse, the frisky stallion threw the farmers son. The sons thigh was badly injured in the fall, and meant the son was unable to do some of the farm work. This again inconvenienced the farmer, but he still refused to regard it as a misfortune and did not grieve.
In a few months, the barbarian armies of the Mongolian chiefs swept through the farmers district of China, and they conscripted every able-bodied man into the army to help defend the empire. It was well-known that the mortality rate in the Mongolian army was very high, as they engaged in many savage battles. Yet, due to the sons bad leg, he was exempt from this military service.
http://www.dirttimeforum.com/index.php?topic=1173.0
And some more...
The sons of neighboring farmers were recruited into the army, receiving clothes and shoes, and when the war was over they received a pension. When the farmer's neighbor said that the son was unfortunate not to have served in the army, the farmer replied with his usual "Well, ... maybe."
When feuds erupted between the neighbors with their new wealth, hatred and competition replaced friendship and cooperation. How fortunate not to receive the money?" The farmer replied with his usual, "Well, . . . maybe!"
poster:Dinah
thread:978502
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20101228/msgs/978590.html