A farmer had only one horse, and one day the horse ran away. The neighbors came to comfort over his terrible loss. The farmer replied, “Maybe, may be not.” A month later, the horse came home bringing with her two beautiful wild horses. The neighbors came to congratulate for his good fortune. “Such lovely strong horses!” The farmer replied, “May be. May be not.” The farmer’s son was thrown from a horse and broke his leg. All the neighbors came to console. Such bad luck! The farmer replied, “May be. May be not.” A war broke out and every able-bodied was recruited except the farmer’s son because of his broken leg. The neighbors came to congratulate the farmer. “May be. May be not?” replied the farmer.
Chuang Tzu
