• home
  • about
    • emotional intelligence at work
    • GradStart (graduate performance at work)
    • Jeremy Marchant
    • this website
  • how we help
    • people
    • teams
    • businesses
    • other organisations
  • what’s the problem?
  • blog and diversions
    • Jeremy Marchant’s blog
    • newsletters
    • quotations
    • music
    • diverting videos
  • contact
emotional intelligence at work
jeremy@emotionalintelligenceatwork.com | 01453 764 615
Intelligence at Work Linkedin Link Intelligence at Work Twitter Link Intelligence at Work Youtube Link
  • essential
    • relationships at work
    • leadership
    • communication
    • emotional intelligence
  • people
    • leadership
    • personal growth
    • managing people
    • successful teams
    • conflict resolution
    • employability
  • business
    • networking and advocacy
    • business growth and change
    • customer service
    • employability
  • stories
    • work stories
    • more stories
  • short pieces
  • long reads
  • videos
    • Jeremy Marchant’s videos
    • Jeremy Marchant’s videos
    • emotionally intelligent videos

Maybe

1415650_60476199

There was an old man who had farmed his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. On hearing the news, his neighbours came to commiserate with him. “What bad luck”, they said.

“Maybe”, the farmer replied.

The next morning, the horse returned, and along with it were three other wild horses. “How wonderful!”, the neighbours cried.

“Maybe”, replied the old man.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses. He was thrown off, and broke his leg. The neighbours again said how unfortunate he was.

“Maybe”, answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. “How lucky you are that they spared your son!”, the neighbours said.

“Maybe”, said the farmer.

Or, as William Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet:
There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so

Further reading

  • DollsDolls
  • Why some businesses stallWhy some businesses stall
  • Kicking the leavesKicking the leaves
  • Short storyShort story
  • On magicOn magic
  • OK.  I’m doing what you told me.  How come it isn’t working?OK.  I’m doing what you told me.  How come it isn’t working?
  • A few fireworksA few fireworks
  • What’s the problem?What’s the problem?
  • The «psychopathic corporation»The «psychopathic corporation»
  • Going for growthGoing for growth