In a small village, there lived an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. He owned very little, but he did have a majestic stallion.  His neighbors often told him how lucky he was to have such a fine horse.

“Maybe,” the farmer would say.

One day his beautiful stallion ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit him. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically, shaking their heads.

“Maybe,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with him three other wild ponies. “How wonderful!” the neighbors exclaimed.

“Maybe,” replied the old man.

The following day, his only son tried to ride one of the untamed ponies but was thrown off, breaking his leg. The neighbors came again to offer their sympathy. “How awful!” they said.

“Maybe,” answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials combed through the village to find young men to draft into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good fortune.

“Maybe,” said the farmer.