The Parable of the Farmer and the Horse
Two Lessons Everyone Needs to Hear
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I recently came across a short story that forced me to rethink my life, priorities, and regrets:
There was a farmer in a small village with a single horse who helped him earn a living for his family. The other villagers constantly told the farmer how lucky he was to have such a great horse.
”Maybe,” he would reply.
One day, the horse ran away. The villagers came to the farmer to express their sympathies.
”Your horse ran away. How unfortunate!“ the villagers exclaimed.
”Maybe,” the farmer replied.
A few days later, the horse returned home, with ten strong wild horses in tow.
”What good fortune. What incredible luck,” the villagers crowed.
”Maybe,” the farmer again replied.
The following week, the farmer’s son was riding one of the wild horses in the fields, when it kicked him off and broke his leg. The villagers arrived to express their dismay.
”What dismal luck,” they said.
”Maybe,” the farmer replied.
The next month, a military officer marched into the village, recruiting able-bodied young men for the war. The farmer’s son, with his broken leg, was left behind.
The villagers were joyful, “Your son has been spared. What beautiful luck!”
The farmer simply smiled.
”Maybe.”
Lesson 1: Everything is Cyclical
Seeds of destruction are sown during creation. Seeds of creation are sown during destruction.
When times are bright, enjoy, but know the dark will come.
When times are dark, adjust your eyes, and remember the seeds of light are being sown.
Lesson 2: Dispel the Narratives
The farmer separates story from reality. He allows space for the events to just exist, to be neither good nor bad—to just be.
Events of your life needn't be judged.
The wisest among us allow events to exist without applying a narrative layer. The Paradox of Change says that the only constant in life is change.
Entropy is reality. It’s the one thing you can always count on—the only constant.
The Parable of the Farmer and the Horse teaches us to embrace chaos—to be dynamic, to flow with it, and to avoid judging it.
As you go through life, remember these two lessons:
1. Everything is Cyclical: Seeds of destruction are sown during creation. Seeds of creation are sown during destruction.
2. Dispel the Narratives: Allow events to simply exist.
Food for Thought:
The single most powerful asset we all have is our mind. If it is trained well, it can create enormous wealth.
PRINCIPLE OF THE WEEK
Beware of statements that begin with "I think that..."
Just because someone thinks something doesn't mean it's true. Be especially skeptical of statements that begin with "I think that I ..." since most people can't accurately assess themselves.
— Ray Dalio
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
FAVE ARTICLE OF THE WEEK
I Have Never Been So Proud of My Fellow Nigerians by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
FAVE TWEET OF THE WEEK
MEME FACTORY
That's all, folks.👋 Have a fabulous weekend, and see you next weekend.
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