The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

ONCE THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO HAD A HORSE. ONE DAY
HIS HORSE DISAPPEARED, AND HIS FRIENDS ALL CAME
TO CONSOLE HIM FOR HIS LOSS. BUT THE OLD MAN SAID:
"HOW CAN YOU TELL IT WAS NOT A LUCKY OMEN?" AFTER
SEVERAL MONTHS THE LOST HORSE RETURNED, BRINGING WITH
HIM ANOTHER HORSE. THE OLD MAN'S FRIENDS, WHO HEARD
OF HIS HAPPY NEWS, CAME TO OFFER THEIR CONGRATULATIONS
AND THE OLD MAN REMARKED: "HOW CAN YOU TELL THAT IT
WAS NOT A BAD OMEN?"
BY AND BY, HIS SON FORMED THE HABIT OF RIDING ON THE
HORSE AS A HOBBY, AND ONE DAY HE FELL OFF AND BROKE
HIS LEG. THE FRIENDS CALLED AGAIN AND EXPRESSED THEIR
SORROW. THE OLD MAN SAID: "HOW CAN YOU TELL THAT IT
WAS NOT A GOOD OMEN?"
A YEAR LATER AN ORDER WAS GIVEN THAT ALL THE YOUNG MEN
BE MADE TO JOIN THE ARMY AND FIGHT THE TARTERS. THE
CRIPPLED SON, OWING TO HIS LAMENESS, WAS, OF COURSE,
SPARED.
SO THE OLD MAN SAID TO HIS FRIENDS: "HUMAN AFFAIRS
ARE ALWAYS CHANGEABLE. HOW CAN YOU TELL WHETHER
WHAT TODAY IS A MISERY MAY NOT TURN OUT TO BE A
BLESSING TOMORROW?"

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: NOT GIVEN