Ancient Story, Modern Message

Who Knows?

One day in late summer, an old farmer was working in his field and a storm arose, collapsing a section of his horse corral.  Watching from a distance he saw his only horse bolt and run away.  Soon after, neighbors from the nearby village visited and offering their condolences said, "What a shame.  Now your only horse is gone.  How unfortunate you are!"  The farmer quietly replied, "Who knows?"

At daybreak the next morning, the farmer's only son set off into the surrounding hills to find their horse.  Many hours later he discovered the animal grazing under a tree and returned with it to the farm.  Word got out in the village that the horse had been found, and it wasn't long before people stopped by to congratulate the farmer on his good luck.  "How fortunate you are!" they exclaimed.  Again, the farmer softly said, "Who knows?"

While attempting to train the temperamental horse the next day, the farmer's son was thrown to the ground and broke his leg.  One by one villagers arrived during the day to bemoan the farmer's latest misfortune.  "Oh, what a tragedy!  Your son won't be able to help you farm with a broken leg.  You'll have to do all the work yourself," they said.  Calmly going about his usual business the farmer answered, "Who knows?"

Several days later the Emperor's men arrived in the village demanding that young men come with them to be conscripted into the Emperor's army.  As it happened the farmer's son was not eligible because of his broken leg.  "What very good fortune you have!" the villagers cried as their young sons were marched away.  "Who knows?" replied the old farmer as he headed off to work his field alone.