"...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I recently heard what I thought was a fable; which is to say, a story with a moral. The story stuck with me so deeply that I literally spent days reflecting on its meaning. After my deliberation, I decided to look a little more closely into this story and its origins and meaning. After a very brief Google search (because you know that Google is one of my favorite writing tools), it was evident to me that the story I had heard was old and widely accepted in the philosophy of Taoism. If you’re unfamiliar with Taoism, as I was, here’s a Google definition (thanks again, Google). Taoism: a Chinese philosophy based on the writings of Lao-tzu, advocating humility and religious piety.
Now you might be thinking, “But you're a Christian. This is a Christian blog. What are you doing talking about Taoism here?” I hope you won't be offended, but I honestly believe that wisdom is wisdom regardless of the source. The wisdom of the following story is, to me, in file and step with the teachings of Jesus Christ which include thankfulness, faith and allowing God's will to be the compass to our journey.
Please allow me to share this poignant story with you today, in my own words…
There was once an old farmer. He was neither wealthy nor poor. The farmer worked hard for all that he had and he generally lived in comfort and contentment. The farmer owned only one workhorse. It was a fine, strong stallion. With the encouragement of his friends and family, the farmer entered his stallion into a country show, judging the strongest and most handsome of the stallions in the area. The farmer’s horse won the first-place prize. On his arrival home from the show, the farmer’s neighbor met him on the road,congratulating the farmer on the prestigious prize the animal had won. With humility and kindness, the farmer removed his hat, and with a slight nod of his head, replied to the neighbor, “Good or bad, who’s to say?” And with that, the neighbor thought, “What a foolish old man. Doesn’t he see the honor in this award?”
That evening there was a terrible storm and the doors to the farmer’s stable broke loose. In the chaos of the storm, the prize-winning stallion leapt over the corral fence and ran off into the neighboring woods. In the morning, the farmer woke to great destruction and the missing horse. When his neighbor stopped by to check on the damage, he learned of the situation. He commented on what a great tragedy it was that had befallen the farmer. With humility and kindness, the farmer removed his hat, and with a slight nod of his head, replied to the neighbor, “Good or bad, who’s to say?” And with that, the neighbor thought, “What a foolish old man. Doesn’t he see the strife that he will now have to endure?”
A few days later, as the farmer was repairing his stable, he noticed movement in the woods. Upon further investigation, he found that his stallion had returned and with him were three wild mares. The farmer and son were able to corral the mares and return his stallion to the barn. As the neighbor passed by, he couldn’t believe his eyes! He rushed to the farmer in excited wonder. The neighbor rejoiced at the return of the stallion and the fortune of the three found mares. With humility and kindness, the farmer removed his hat, and with a slight nod of his head, replied to the neighbor, “Good or bad, who’s to say?” And with that, the neighbor thought, “What an old foolish man. Doesn’t he appreciate his good fortune?”
The following day, while trying to break the wild mares, the farmer’s son was thrown from one of the horses. He broke his leg and endured great pain and suffering. Upon hearing this, the neighbor came to visit the farmer with wishes for the son’s speedy recovery, but felt commiseration for the unfortunate nature of his son’s injury. With humility and kindness, the farmer removed his hat, and with a slight nod of his head, replied to the neighbor, “Good or bad, who’s to say?” And with that the neighbor thought, “What a foolish old man. Doesn’t he realize the trauma that his son has experienced?”
A week later, the army passed by, drafting young men to fight on the front lines of their war but they did not enlist the farmer’s son because his leg was broken and he could not stand to fight. It is only then that the neighbor realized the wisdom in the old farmer’s responses time and time again of “Good or bad, who’s to say?”
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