In a small village, there once lived an old farmer. He had a strong and spirited horse which he used for farming, carrying loads, and his everyday travels.
One day, quite suddenly, the horse ran away. The farmer searched everywhere but couldn’t find it.
His wife was heartbroken, but the farmer didn’t seem the least bit upset. He showed no sign of regret or sorrow — as if nothing had happened at all.
The neighbors came and said,
“What bad luck! You had only one horse, and that too is gone.”
The farmer smiled gently and said,
“Maybe so.”
A few days later, the horse returned — and with it came three wild horses.
There was great joy in the farmer’s house that day. Not only had the lost horse come back, but he now had three more!
The neighbors gathered again and said,
“What good fortune! You’ve got your horse back, and three extra ones too!”
The farmer smiled the same calm smile and said,
“Maybe so.”
Two days later, the farmer’s only son tried to ride one of the wild horses. He was thrown off and broke his leg badly.
Hearing the news, the neighbors rushed over.
“How terrible! Your poor son broke his leg — what misfortune!”
The farmer smiled softly and said,
“Maybe so.”
The next day, the king’s soldiers arrived in the village. A war had broken out, and they were taking all the young men away to fight.
They took everyone — except the farmer’s son, whose broken leg made him unfit for battle.
Once again, the neighbors came and said,
“You’re so lucky! Your son doesn’t have to go to war and die!”
The farmer’s calm reply was the same as always:
“Maybe so.”
Moral:
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The good and bad events of life are temporary and ever-changing.
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What seems unfortunate today may turn into a blessing tomorrow — and the reverse can also be true.
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A wise person neither collapses in sorrow nor overflows in joy. Remaining calm and detached in all situations is true wisdom.
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Everything is relative — our current perspective may not reveal the future reality. Life’s unexpected turns often surprise us.
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To live in peace, we must accept both the good and the bad as part of life’s flow. Embracing change with equanimity brings inner stability and serenity.
