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There once lived a farmer. He had a son and a horse. One day the farmer's horse ran away, and all his neighbours came to console him, saying:"What bad luck that your horse has run away!" and the old man replied: "Who knows if it's good luck or bad luck." "Of course it's bad luck!" said the neighbours.

Within a week, the farmer's horse returned home, followed by twenty wild horses. The farmer's neighbours came to celebrate, saying: "What good luck that you have your horse back- plus another twenty!" And the old man replied: "Who knows if it's good luck or bad luck!"

The next day the farmer's son was riding amongst the wild horses, and fell and broke his leg. The neighbours came to console him, saying: "What bad luck!"

And the farmer said: "Who knows if it's good or bad luck!" And some of the neighbours were angry, and said: "Of course it's bad luck, you silly old fool!"

Another week went by, and an army came through town, enlisting all the fit young men to fight in distant lands. The farmer's son, with his broken leg, was left behind. All the neighbours came to celebrate, saying: "What good luck that your son was left behind!"

And the farmer said: "Who knows?"...