Thank you for sharing this parable, I hadn't heard it before and found it insightful. The farmer shows wisdom by not judging events as they arise as either good nor bad, instead allowing the tapestry of life to be woven and unfurled before him, before making a judgment. It provides an important lesson to not read always into things, as a situation may take a rapid turn unexpectedly. Withholding judgment, especially in the information/social media age we inhabit, can be quite difficult, but this parable shows me that it is a skill that can be worked on and cultivated. This parable speaks to me of the importance of taking the world as it is, not as we wish it to be, and making the most of our opportunities. To me, this parable relates to the concept of internal vs external loci of control, and our attitudes towards the many things in life beyond our control. Those with external loci may bemoan various goings on as "bad luck" or misfortune, whereas those with internal loci may view the same situations as opportunities to learn something new and improve skills that are lacking. Attitude also plays a role in how we view the world around us. We may complain and grow despondent at the events of the world, but if we keep our heads up and strive to improve the world in whatever small way that we can, together we can accomplish wonders.
I first heard this simple but profound parable as a Sufi story in a lovely little book called “If you hear hoofbeats, think of a Zebra.” Thanks for sharing - it’s a parable that sits quietly in the mind long after hearing it.
This is a great story (with lessons). This story carries a wisdom so simple yet so elusive - life unfolds in ways beyond our knowing, and our judgments of fortune and misfortune are merely reflections of the moment, not of the full picture. But there is a deeper truth here, one hidden in the spaces between the farmer’s words. The greatest suffering often comes not from events themselves but from our resistance to them, our need to label, define, and control. The farmer does not surrender to fate as resignation, but as understanding. He stands firm in the knowledge that no single moment holds the entire truth. And perhaps, that is the secret to lasting peace: to let life unfold, not as we wish, but as it must, meeting each turn with a heart steady as the sky.
Very true! “The farmer’s wisdom lies in accepting both without emotional attachment to either. To grasp too tightly at happiness is to invite fear of its loss, and to wallow in misfortune is to forget that even the longest night must give way to dawn.”
This reminded me of a story my paternal uncle told me when I was little—about Imam Abu Hanifa. It might be a parable here, but the spirit of it brought back a very real memory.
He spoke of Imam Abu Hanifa, seated in a gathering of students, when news came that one of his trade ships had sunk. He paused, lowered his head, reflected inwardly, and then raised his head saying, “Alhamdulillah.”
Later it was revealed that the ship was safe after all and he repeated the same gesture,paused, checked his heart, and then said, “Alhamdulillah.”
When asked why, he said “I was examining my heart whether I felt sorrow at the loss or joy at the gain. And when I found my heart untouched by either, I praised Allah.”
I dint fully understand it back then, but I held onto the story like a pressed flower in a childhood book.
I read this story many years ago when I was much younger. As I have grown older I realized the depth of truth in these words. The story itself plays out in all of our lives, we are able to better understand how they refine our faith and in the knowing that all things shall pass, in that the hardships help free us from mental attachments to the temporal fears and desires to support our efforts to remain in the ways of God.
Thank you for sharing this parable, I hadn't heard it before and found it insightful. The farmer shows wisdom by not judging events as they arise as either good nor bad, instead allowing the tapestry of life to be woven and unfurled before him, before making a judgment. It provides an important lesson to not read always into things, as a situation may take a rapid turn unexpectedly. Withholding judgment, especially in the information/social media age we inhabit, can be quite difficult, but this parable shows me that it is a skill that can be worked on and cultivated. This parable speaks to me of the importance of taking the world as it is, not as we wish it to be, and making the most of our opportunities. To me, this parable relates to the concept of internal vs external loci of control, and our attitudes towards the many things in life beyond our control. Those with external loci may bemoan various goings on as "bad luck" or misfortune, whereas those with internal loci may view the same situations as opportunities to learn something new and improve skills that are lacking. Attitude also plays a role in how we view the world around us. We may complain and grow despondent at the events of the world, but if we keep our heads up and strive to improve the world in whatever small way that we can, together we can accomplish wonders.
Beautifully said!
Thank you, and great work on this insightful and fascinating post!
I first heard this simple but profound parable as a Sufi story in a lovely little book called “If you hear hoofbeats, think of a Zebra.” Thanks for sharing - it’s a parable that sits quietly in the mind long after hearing it.
This is a great story (with lessons). This story carries a wisdom so simple yet so elusive - life unfolds in ways beyond our knowing, and our judgments of fortune and misfortune are merely reflections of the moment, not of the full picture. But there is a deeper truth here, one hidden in the spaces between the farmer’s words. The greatest suffering often comes not from events themselves but from our resistance to them, our need to label, define, and control. The farmer does not surrender to fate as resignation, but as understanding. He stands firm in the knowledge that no single moment holds the entire truth. And perhaps, that is the secret to lasting peace: to let life unfold, not as we wish, but as it must, meeting each turn with a heart steady as the sky.
Very true! “The farmer’s wisdom lies in accepting both without emotional attachment to either. To grasp too tightly at happiness is to invite fear of its loss, and to wallow in misfortune is to forget that even the longest night must give way to dawn.”
I love it!!!❤️
Me too!
This reminded me of a story my paternal uncle told me when I was little—about Imam Abu Hanifa. It might be a parable here, but the spirit of it brought back a very real memory.
He spoke of Imam Abu Hanifa, seated in a gathering of students, when news came that one of his trade ships had sunk. He paused, lowered his head, reflected inwardly, and then raised his head saying, “Alhamdulillah.”
Later it was revealed that the ship was safe after all and he repeated the same gesture,paused, checked his heart, and then said, “Alhamdulillah.”
When asked why, he said “I was examining my heart whether I felt sorrow at the loss or joy at the gain. And when I found my heart untouched by either, I praised Allah.”
I dint fully understand it back then, but I held onto the story like a pressed flower in a childhood book.
Thank you for unknowingly opening the page again.
I read this story many years ago when I was much younger. As I have grown older I realized the depth of truth in these words. The story itself plays out in all of our lives, we are able to better understand how they refine our faith and in the knowing that all things shall pass, in that the hardships help free us from mental attachments to the temporal fears and desires to support our efforts to remain in the ways of God.
the reality is neither good or bad, it simply is. it has no judgements!
Beautiful - love the parable and love your telling of it.