Many years ago there lived a farmer with his son in a poor Chinese village. His only material good, besides his land and the small straw house, was a horse he inherited from his father.
Many years ago there lived a farmer with his son in a poor Chinese village. His only material good, besides his land and the small straw house, was a horse he inherited from his father.
One fine day, the horse ran away leaving the man to plough the soil alone. His neighbours — who respected him very much for his honesty and diligence — came to his house to say how much they lamented what had happened. He thanked them, but asked:
“How can you tell that what happened in my life was a misfortune ”
Someone said to his friend in a low voice, “He doesn’t want to accept reality, let him think whatever he wants to, as long as he doesn’t become sad by what has happened.”
His neighbours left, pretending to agree to what they had heard.
A week later, his horse returned to the barn, but he wasn’t alone — with him was a beautiful mare. The villagers learned about it. They were excited because only now did they understand the man’s previous answer. They went back to the farmer’s house in order to compliment him for his good luck.
“Before you had only a horse and now you have two! Congratulations!” they said.
“Thank you very much for your visit and for your kindness,” answered the farmer. “But how can you tell that what happened is a blessing ”
Confused and thinking the man was getting mad, his neighbours went away, saying along the way, “I wonder if this man doesn’t realise God has sent him a gift ”
A month went by and the farmer’s son decided to domesticate the mare. But the animal jumped in an unexpected way and the young man fell badly, breaking his leg.
The farmer’s neighbours went to the farmer’s house once again, taking gifts for the wounded young man. The village’s mayor solemnly presented condolences to the father, saying everyone was very sad about what had happened.
The man thanked for everyone’s love and visit. But he asked:
“How can you tell if what happened in my life was a misfortune ”
This sentence left everyone stupefied as no one can be the least doubtful that an accident where there’s physical damage is a true tragedy. As they left the farmer’s house, they would say to one another, “The man has really gone mad, his only son may be forever crippled and he still has doubts whether what happened was a misfortune.”
A few months went by and Japan declared war against China. The Emperor’s emissaries travelled through the entire country in search of healthy young man to be sent to the front. As they arrived in the village, they recruited all young men, except the farmer’s son, who had a broken leg. None of the young men returned alive. The farmer’s son recovered, the two horses had foals who were sold and made good money. The farmer started to visit his neighbours to comfort them as once they had shown to be so caring towards his family. Whenever one of them complained, the farmer would say, “How can you tell if this is a misfortune ” If someone would be too happy, he would ask, “How can you tell if that is a blessing ” And the people of that village finally understood that beyond appearances, life has other meanings.
Translated by Bettina Dungs
