Long ago there lived a farmer and his son. The boy worked hard on his father’s farm and one day he happened to capture a strong, beautiful wild horse. All the neighbors told the farmer how fortunate he was. The farmer replied, “Ya never know.” He looked at the distant mountain and he smiled.
The boy spent his days tending to the farm and the beautiful white stallion. After years of careful training, the horse ran swifter than another in the valley. But one day the father and son awoke to find their precious steed was gone. The son was heartbroken. The neighbors gathered around and commented about their rotten luck. But the farmer replied “Is this a good or bad thing? Ya never know.” He looked at the distant mountain and he smiled.
Some time passed and one day the magnificent animal returned … with a wild mare. The neighbors praised their fantastic good fortune, but the farmer replied, “Is this a good or bad thing? Ya never know.” He looked at the distant mountain and he smiled.
One day while the son was racing their splendid horses, he fell off and broke both legs badly. The villagers bemoaned the family’s terrible misfortune. But the farmer, calm as usual replied: “I’m sure his legs will heal in time. Is this a good or bad thing? Ya never know.” He looked at the distant mountain and he smiled.
A few days later soldiers marched into the village. A war involving the barbarians to the north was underway. All the able-bodied young men were required to join the army. The families prepared their sons for battle and bid them farewell. Reluctantly, the young men joined the soldiers. All but one. It was obvious that the farmer’s son’s legs would take many months to heal. The neighbors envied the farmer’s good fortune! The farmer looked across the fields. He saw the two fine horses. He saw his son. He saw the mountain. The farmer just smiled.