While about 50% of us are licking our wounds this week and the other 50% are rejoicing, I can’t help but think of this rich ancient Indian parable:
A farmer had only one horse, and one day the horse ran away. The neighbors came to console him, proclaiming: “This is terrible!” The farmer simply said, “Maybe.”
A month later, the horse came home–this time bringing with her two beautiful wild horses. The neighbors became excited at the farmer’s good fortune. “This is incredible!” The farmer said, “Maybe.”
The farmer’s son was thrown from one of the wild horses while training them and broke his leg. All the neighbors were very distressed. “Oh, no, this is terrible!” The farmer said, “Maybe.”
A war came, and every able-bodied young man was conscripted and sent into battle. The farmer’s son was spared because he was healing from his broken leg. The neighbors all said: “This is incredible!” The farmer again said: “Maybe.”
This great little existentialist parable goes on and on, kind of like life. What seems horrible one day can be a blessing the next, and vice versa.
May God bless the United States of America.
-Dr. Nancy Iriwn