Good luck Bad luck

“Good luck bad luck, who knows.”

    There once was a poor rice farmer who had a very small field, just enough to feed his family. One day his only working horse ran away. Hearing the news his neighbour runs over sympathize with him. “I hear you lost your horse.  That is bad luck indeed.”

     “Good luck, bad luck, who knows?” shrugged the farmer.

     Then one day a herd of wild horses came running through the village. They ran into the farmers rice field and got stuck in the mud, and since they couldn’t get away they became his property.

     Again the neighbour ran over all excited as he declared. “What good fortune, you are rich, this is amazing.”

     “Good luck bad luck, who knows?” replied the accepting farmer.  A few weeks later the farmer’s son attempted to break in one of the wild horses but alas was thrown from the horse and incurred a broken leg.

     Of course, upon hearing the latest news the neighbour rushed over to offer condolences.  “This is such a sad thing. Your son has broken his leg. What bad news.

     “Good luck, bad luck, who knows?” says the farmer yet again.

     A week later a Chinese General is marching through the farmers village on the way to war. On this march the army is conscripting every healthy boy over 10 years of age. So they took every boy in the village except the farmers son because of his broken leg.

    The neighbour comes running over to celebrate the good fortune. “This is wonderful news, how lucky you are.” “Good news bad news, who knows.”

    

     This positive Taoist story offers many meanings. It serves as a reminder that nothing is 'good news' or 'bad news' per se, but that it always comes down to one's own interpretation.

                  Be mindful of your judgements and the stories you tell yourself about a situation. Ask yourself “Is it true? Do I know it is absolutely true? How do I react when I think these thoughts? Who would I be without that thought? What is the blessing here?