There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his
crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon
hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad
luck," they said sympathetically. "May be," the farmer
replied.
The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three
other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors
exclaimed. "May be," replied the old man.
The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed
horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again
came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. "May be,"
answered the farmer.
The day after, military officials came to the village to
draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was
broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the
farmer on how well things had turned out. "May be," said the
farmer.
