Finding Wisdom in Uncertainty: The Ancient Tale of ‘Maybe’

Well, now that the election’s been over for a bit, whether you’ve been popping champagne, tearing up, or just scratching your head, here’s a little perspective in an ancient story from the Orient.

One day, a farmer’s horse runs away. His neighbors all say “What a bad luck”, but the farmer just shrugs: “Maybe.”

A little while later, the horse returns with two friends, two majestic wild horses. Everyone cheers: “What great luck!”, but again the farmer replies: “Maybe.”

The farmer’s son, eager to tame one of the wild horses, decides to ride it. But the horse, fierce and untamed, bucks wildly and throws him to the ground, breaking the boy’s leg. The villagers rush over, shaking their heads: “What terrible luck!”, but the farmer, calm as the wind through the reeds, replies: “Maybe.”

Days later, the air fills with the sound of marching boots. Soldiers storm the village, looking for young men to draft for a brutal war, a war where few are expected to return. When they come to the farmer’s home and see his son’s broken leg, they pass him right on by without a word.

Later, the villagers come forward, exclaiming: “What incredible fortune!”, but once again, the farmer, like a lake at midnight reflecting the stars, simply says: “Maybe.”

The lesson: Life isn’t about apparent wins and losses. It’s about how you respond to what comes next. The real plot twist is still ahead, and it’s on all of us to write it. So take a deep breath, find your center, and let’s turn this maybe moment into something truly extraordinary together.

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