The Farmer and his Horse.

The Farmer and his Horse:
Wisdom on how to make a better wine and to live a better life.

The following is one of Steve’s favorite parables on life.

An old farmer saved up small amounts of money over a year to buy a new horse. Just a day after the farmer bought the horse, it ran away. His neighbor expressed grief, but the farmer himself was calm. “I hope you can get over this bad news,” said the neighbor. “Good news or bad news, can’t say,” replied the farmer.

The next day, the horse returned to the farmer’s house by itself, and brought another stray horse with it. “Cheer up, we are going to multiply our farm income. That’s great news” said the farmer’s son. “Good news or bad news, can’t say” replied the farmer and carried on with his work.

A week later, the farmer took the first horse to his farm and his son took the second horse to follow his father to work. On the way, the second horse bucked the boy off and ran away. The boy’s leg was fractured badly. That evening back home, the farmer’s wife groaned “We will have to spend all our extra savings on our son’s broken leg. What terrible news.” Once again, the farmer replied: “Good news or bad news, can’t say.”

A month later the farmer’s King announced a war on the neighboring nation. Citing a lack of foot soldiers, the King ordered all able-bodied men in the nation to get drafted into the military. The farmer’s son was spared because of his broken leg. Later, many soldiers got slaughtered in the war. “You are lucky that your son did not get drafted. Mine returned with severe injuries. And many have been killed” complained the farmer’s best friend. Unabashed the farmer responded: “Good news or bad news, can’t say.”

So goes the story.

Whether making wine or living life, we will never escape trials and tribulations, that at the moment, seem to be all doom and gloom. Instead of using all our energy considering the perceived negative outcomes, we can open our mind and heart to the never ceasing positive potential in front of us. For us, relaxing with a glass of wine helps us step back and be able to see this possibility!