The Chinese Farmer (Maybe So)

There was an old farmer whose horse ran away.

His neighbors came by and said, “Such bad luck.”

The farmer replied, “Maybe so.”

The next day, the horse returned, bringing with it three wild horses.
The neighbors said, “What great fortune!”

The farmer replied, “Maybe so.”

The following week, the farmer’s son tried to tame one of the wild horses, fell, and broke his leg.
The neighbors said, “How terrible.”

The farmer replied, “Maybe so.”

Soon after, soldiers came to the village to conscript young men for the army. Seeing the son’s broken leg, they passed him by.
The neighbors said, “How lucky!”

The farmer replied, “Maybe so.”