The Trail

by Ethan Gallogly

Old Man Sai Loses a Horse. The story goes something like this,” he began, One day old man Sai loses a horse when it jumps his corral. Everyone in the village tries to console him, but the old man asks, “How do we know this is really unfortunate?” After some time, the horse returns leading a fine stray. Everyone in the village comes to congratulate him, but the old man asks, “How do we know this is really fortunate?” Sometime later his son is thrown while trying to ride the new horse, breaking a leg. Everyone comes ’round to console him again, but again he asks, “How do we know this is really unfortunate?” Soon after, the country goes to war and soldiers come to his village looking for conscripts. This time his son is spared because of his leg. “The point is,” Syd concluded, “we never really know what fate is. Sometimes a tragedy may really be a new opportunity.”