Near China's northern borders lived a man well versed in the practices of Taoism. His horse, for no reason at all, got into the territory of the northern tribes. Everyone commiserated with him.

"Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a blessing," said his father.

After a few months, his animal came back, leading a fine horse from the north. Everyone congratulated him.

"Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a cause of misfortune," said his father.

Since he was well-off and kept good horses his son became fond of riding and eventually broke his thigh bone falling from a horse. Everyone commiserated with him.

"Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a blessing," said his father.

One year later, the northern tribes started a big invasion of the border regions. All able-bodied young men took up arms and fought against the invaders, and as a result, around the border nine out of ten men died. This man's son did not join in the fighting because he was crippled and so both the boy and his father survived.

中国北部边界附近住着一个人精通道教的实践。他的马,毫无理由,进入北方部落的领地。每个人都同情他。

“也许这会是一个祝福,”他的父亲说。

几个月后,他的动物回来,主要来自北方的马。每个人都祝贺他。

“也许这会是不幸的一个原因,”他的父亲说。

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因为他是富裕和保持良好马他儿子喜欢骑,最终摔断了腿骨从一匹马。每个人都同情他。

“也许这会是一个祝福,”他的父亲说。

一年后,北方部落开始入侵边境地区。所有强壮的年轻人拿起武器反对侵略者,结果,在边境的十个人死亡。这个人的儿子没有加入战斗,因为他是残疾,所以男孩和他的父亲活了下来。