Blessing or Bane (Sai Weng Shi Ma, Yan Zhi Fei Fu)

            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.