“If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.”
Orson Welles
The following fable reminds us of what we DON’T know at any given moment in time… and how the future remains ONLY in our imagination. It may be helpful to keep in mind as we’re reopening the country.
Happy Ending? That Depends…
A farmer and his son had a horse and it helped them earn a living.
The horse ran away one day, and the neighbors said, “That’s terrible!”
The farmer replied, “Maybe. That depends.”
The horse returned home a few days later and brought a few wild mares back with him.
The neighbors said, “This is great luck for you!” The farmer replied, “Maybe. That depends.”
A week later, the farmer’s son was thrown from one of the mares and he broke his leg.
The neighbors said, “That’s terrible!”
The farmer replied, “Maybe. That depends.”
Just weeks later, soldiers marched through town to recruit all the able-bodied young men for the army. They couldn’t take the farmer’s son because of his broken leg.
The neighbors said, “This is great luck for you!”
The farmer replied, “Maybe. That depends.”
Good or Bad?
This fable is a good reminder that events can’t always be judged as good or bad because stories continue to unfold.
Trying to keep an even temperament helps us consider both sides of a story.
The neighbors weren’t always right… or always wrong.
Life is not always black and white, although moments in time might make it appear so.
When we are able to peacefully listen to differing opinions we become better thinkers.
It also makes for better discussion with your neighbors and friends.
Even if you’re living alone for the first time, attitude is everything.
Please share your thoughts in the comment box below…
Are you struggling with expressing your opinions or thoughts with your family, friends, or neighbors?
Are you feeling impatient right now as you want a happy ending?
Can you share about a devastating time in your life that ended up with a twist of good luck?
Kathryn,
Enjoyed the story and philosophical comment. I needed it this AM as a good friend said we really don’t need all the protection and social isolation.
100,000 deaths is just a small % of the US population!!
I just said IT IS 100,000 DEATHS! I decided I may not talk to him for a while. Hope you are well and saying safe. We are not going to eat or to a mall soon!
“whatsoever things are lovely, noble, of good report . . . think on these things”. I’m glad we are charged with counting blessings and being “anxious for nothing”, because often our tendency is the opposite. Worry does no good, but gratitude is calming.
Kathryn, your article is definitely food for thought. So often we are quick to judge situations. It’s best to step back for an moment, when possible, take a deep breath and say : “ What is really happening here?”.
I believe if we all did this, many observations and decisions may take a different path,
And as you state; peacefully listen to others because differing opinions make us better thinkers.
We ARE all in this together !