Mon carnet de français - audio of the text - day 76

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This Chinese tale helps to put into perspective the difficulties of life.

This is the story of a Chinese peasant and his son.

One day, their only horse escaped. This horse was essential for them to work. The people of the village say to them, "Poor people, what are you going to do now?" But the father says, "Luck or bad luck, we don't know yet!"

A few days later, the horse comes back and he has attracted 7 wild horses. His neighbors tell him, "You are so lucky! You are rich now." But the father says, "Luck or bad luck, we don't know yet."

Some time later, the son broke his legs while training one of the horses. The father is too old to work alone and is therefore in a difficult situation. His neighbors feel sorry for him, but the father says, "Luck or bad luck, you never know."

War broke out in the country and all the young men of the village had to fight and risk their lives... except for the son because he was wounded. The people of the village tell him that he is very lucky. But as usual, the father says: "Luck or misfortune, we can't know".

When the war is over, all the young men of the village return. They are all rich thanks to their spoils of war. All the villagers pity the father: "You are again the poorest in the village from now on." But again, the father answers: "luck or bad luck..."

Day 76 - My French notebook
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