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.

　　中國北部邊界附近住著一個人精通道教的實踐。他的馬,毫無理由,進入北方部落的領地。每個人都同情他。

　　“也許這會是一個祝福,”他的父親說。

　　幾個月后,他的動物回來,主要來自北方的馬。每個人都祝賀他。

　　“也許這會是不幸的一個原因,”他的父親說。

　　因為他是富裕和保持良好馬他兒子喜歡騎,最終摔斷了腿骨從一匹馬。每個人都同情他。

　　“也許這會是一個祝福,”他的父親說。

　　一年后,北方部落開始入侵邊境地區(qū)。所有強壯的年輕人拿起武器反對侵略者,結(jié)果,在邊境的十個人死亡。這個人的兒子沒有加入戰(zhàn)斗,因為他是殘疾,所以男孩和他的父親活了下來。