An elderly, hard-working Chinese farmer and his son had a single horse. They used the horse to plough their field, to sow the seeds, to gather the harvest, and transport it to market. The horse was essential for the farmer to earn his livelihood.
One morning, the horse broke the fence and ran away into the hills. When the neighbours found out that the only horse the farmer had, had run away, they came to comfort him. They said: “Your only horse has run away just before the planting season. How will you till the land? How will you sow the seeds? This is unfortunate. What bad luck!”
The farmer replied: “Good luck, bad luck - who knows?”
A few days later the farmer’s horse returned along with two wild horses. When the neighbours found out the news, they said: "Now you have three horses! You can till the land much faster. Maybe you can buy more land and get a bigger harvest and make more money. Or you can sell the other two horses. Either way, you will be a rich man! What good luck!"
But the farmer replied: "Good luck, bad luck - who knows?"
Next morning, the farmer’s son started training the wild horses so that they could help till the land. While attempting to mount one of the wild horses, he fell and broke his leg. The neighbours came once again and said to the farmer: "This is really unfortunate. It's just before the sowing season. Your son won't be able to help you. What bad luck!”
The farmer repeated: “Good luck, bad luck - who knows?”
A few days later, the emperor's men visited the village because a war had started and they forced the eldest son from each family to join the army. When they came to the farmer’s house they saw the son with the broken leg. He would not be of much use in the army and so they didn’t take him. The neighbours, some of them with teary eyes, came once again to the farmer and commented: “Your son is the only one not taken to go to the war. Breaking his leg was a stroke of good luck.“
The farmer calmly replied: “Good luck, bad luck - who knows?”
That's it; that's the story.
It's a favourite piece for motivational speakers, as here. Zen teachers use it too. But those inspired by the Bible to seek the will of God know the attitude of the old farmer is what must be in our heart and mind to find the peace that Jesus offers.
Take heart from this selection:
Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Esther 4:14 - "Perhaps you were born for such a time as this."
Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Psalm 33:11 - The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.
2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Jeremiah 1:5 - Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
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