The Old Farmer

The Old Farmer That life is not easy is something we can all agree upon. It provides us with numerous challenges and along with that problems and disappointments. Who helps us in such inhospitable and adverse situations? Who provides succour during our trials and tribulations? Our families, friends, and loved ones! Most importantly, it is the faith in the Guru and Divine that bails us out from refractory situations. It is the unflinching faith and surrender to the Supreme Power which acts as a lifeboat during our inexpedient moments. The Guru and the Divine impart immense knowledge and little realizations to circumvent trying circumstances. Humans can fortify themselves by practicing the Art of Detachment during obstreperous situations. An old farmer had a horse. One day, the horse ran away. His neighbours and other villagers commiserated the loss. The farmer laconically replied, ‘Maybe’. Next day, the villagers were astonished when the horse brought along with it three other wild horses. The villagers and the neighbours congratulated the farmer. The farmer replied simply, ‘Maybe’. It so happened, the enterprising son of the farmer mounted one of the wild horses. Unfortunately, he could not reign in the horse and thus happened to break his leg. The retinue of the villagers and the neighbours expressed their sorrow and grief about the incident to the farmer. The farmer remained detached and merely remarked, ‘Maybe’. Shortly, some army officials visited the village to draft strapping youngsters to the forces. However, the differently-abled son of the farmer was not recruited. Congratulatory messages poured in from the villagers and neighbors. ‘How fortuitous you and your son are,’ they claimed. Once again the farmer replied, ‘May be’. The old farmer remained stoic and unruffled in all situations and maintained Zen-like cool and was detached to the events which were unfolding. Instead of becoming cranky as he grew older, he was shielded by optimism, peace and detachment. Buddha says, ‘Believe nothing , no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your reason and your own common sense.’ The old farmer imbibed this enlightened quote of the Buddha. Buddha expects humans to learn from personal experiences and not from the reviews (read villagers and neighbours) of others. What suits one person may not necessarily suit another.