There is an old Taoist parable. It begins with a poor farmer in ancient China who worked a small plot of land with his teenage son. During this time horses were considered a sign of wealth; the richest person in the province owned no more than a few of them. One day a wild horse jumped the poor farmer’s fence and began grazing on his land. According to local law, this meant that the horse now rightfully belonged to him and his family. The son could hardly contain his joy, but the father put his hand on his son’s shoulder and said, “Who knows what’s good or bad?” The next day the horse made its escape back to the mountains and the boy was heartbroken. “Who knows what’s good or bad?” his father said again. On the third day the horse returned with a dozen wild horses following. “We’re rich!” the son cried, to which the father again replied, “Who knows what’s good or bad?” On the fourth day the boy climbed on one of the wild horses and was thrown, breaking his leg. His father ran to get the doctor; soon both of them were attending to the boy, who was upset and in a great deal of pain. The old farmer looked deeply into his son’s eyes, and said, “My son, who knows what is good or bad?” And on the fifth day the province went to war. Army recruiters came through the town and took all the eligible young men to fight the war. All except for the young man with the broken leg.
This is such a beautiful illustration of why it’s relevent to suspend judgment, conclusions and assumptions about anything. Judgements and the like don’t reflect the bigger picture. We don’t always know in the heat of any moment, what is good what is bad. What is a blessing, what is a gift, what is a challenge in the moment that provides further expansion for us later. We don’t always know, but we can remain open. We can lay aside the impulse to make any seeming fact mean anything. We can trust that the nature of all things is continually unfolding – and perhaps find a lot more ease in this open and receptive place.
This, Beth, is one of my all-time-FAVORITE parables and a motto I have often lived by…”maybe, maybe not”….ever flowing becoming!
Thanks for posting…
It is a good one Laurie and a source of continuing comfort when I remember it.
and the wheel goes round and round! xo
love your blog Bethie- and love you.
Thank you Macha, you and your family always have a big place in my heart.
A beautiful parable. I love everything you frequently share. It meets a real need that I have, to commune with others and share spiritual thoughts. Thank you again for blessing me with your generous gift of writing. I learn from it.
You’ve come to the right place Renee. I have that exact desire to communicate with others while exploring the mysteries of the Universe. I love the Internet so much because it’s opened up new avenues for connecting and being in relationship with others. And I live and breathe for all things metaphysical, it just lights me up to explore it all.
[…] this story helps. We do need to be mindful about making known what we keep on our premises, etc. Who Knows What’s Good or Bad __________________ Wilfredo http://www.BenitezRivera.com A contemplative photograph is a reflection in […]
[…] Click here to see the parable in its entirety. […]
All these stories are lovely : But do you know Jesus ?? He died for your SIN ,he was buried , on the third day he rose from the dead !! We serve a living Saviour !!!! receive him today !! Dear Lord Jesus I am a Sinner you are my Saviour come into my heart and save me now and take me to Heaven when you came again .Romans 10 : 9 .
[…] that Chinese parable about what’s “good” and “bad”- see here for a version of this: https://simplyblessed.heartsdeesire.com/2009/10/26/who-knows-whats-good-whats-bad/). Don’t get me wrong- I was still bummed on Friday, when we were scheduled to be packing for […]