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This Chinese tale helps put life's challenges into perspective.
It's the story of a Chinese farmer and his son.
One day, their only horse escapes. This horse was essential for their work. The people of the village say to them: "You poor things, what are you going to do now?" But the father says: "Good luck or bad luck - we don't know yet!"
A few days later, the horse comes back, and it has attracted 7 wild horses. His neighbors say to him: "You're so lucky! You're rich now." But the father says: "Good luck or bad luck - we don't know yet."
Some time later, the son breaks his legs while breaking in one of the horses. The father is too old to work alone and finds himself in a difficult situation. His neighbors take pity on him, but the father says: "Good luck or bad luck - we can't know."
War then breaks out in the country and all the young men of the village must fight and risk their lives... except the son, because he is injured. The people of the village tell him how lucky he is. But as usual, the father says: "Good luck or bad luck - we can't know."
When the war is over, all the young men of the village return. They are all rich thanks to their war spoils. All the villagers feel sorry for the father: "You're the poorest man in the village again now." But once again, the father replies: "Good luck or bad luck..."
Jour 76 – Mon carnet de français