The Story of the Taoist Farmer
This is the source for many vaudeville and comedy bits.
There was an old farmer who worked hard on his little farm. He never had much money, but he had one good horse, and a son who helped him. One day his horse ran away. His neighbor was upset, and commiserated with him about his bad luck. The farmer said, “What makes you think it is so bad?”
Weeks later, the horse trotted home–bringing with her two beautiful wild horses. The neighbor was excited, and congratulated the farmer on his good luck. The farmer said, “What makes you think it’s so good?”
The farmer’s son was thrown from one of the wild horses and broke his leg. His neighbor, once again upset, expressed sympathy for this bad luck. The farmer said, “What makes you think it is so bad?”
A war came, and every able-bodied man was conscripted and sent into battle. Only the farmer’s son, because he had a broken leg, remained. The neighbor was excited, and congratulated the farmer on his good luck. The farmer said, “What makes you think it’s so good?”