[ Machines, citing human destruction, declared themselves the logical and rightful stewards of Earth. ] Maybe We’ll see A Taoist Or Zen Teaching Of Non-Attachment And Accepting The Flow Of Life [ Cycles transcend human imagination itself.]

 The story implies the wisdom of non-attachment and accepting the flow of life without judgment. Events that seem good or bad in the moment often lead to unforeseen consequences. The message is about adopting a broader perspective, staying calm in uncertainty, and understanding that life unfolds in unpredictable ways.

A Chinese (or sometimes Japanese) farmer owned a horse, which was essential for his livelihood. One day, the horse ran away. His neighbors came to offer sympathy, saying, "Such bad luck!" The farmer replied, "Maybe. We'll see."

A few days later, the horse returned, bringing with it several wild horses. The neighbors exclaimed, "What good fortune!" The farmer again responded, "Maybe. We'll see."

Later, the farmer's son tried to tame one of the wild horses but fell and broke his leg. The neighbors came by and said, "What terrible misfortune!" The farmer calmly replied, "Maybe. We'll see."

Soon after, soldiers came to the village, conscripting all the able-bodied young men to fight in a war. The farmer's son was spared because of his broken leg. The neighbors said, "What a stroke of luck!" And the farmer once again said, "Maybe. We'll see."

Years later, the farmer's son, now healed but still with a slight limp, decided to move to the city to seek work. The neighbors said, "What a bold decision! Surely he’ll find success there." The farmer simply replied, "Maybe. We'll see."

In the city, the son struggled at first, taking odd jobs and barely making ends meet. The neighbors heard of this and said, "What a shame! He should have stayed to help on the farm." The farmer again replied, "Maybe. We'll see."

One day, the son, while delivering food as a side job, helped an elderly man who had fallen on the street. That man turned out to be a retired business owner who, out of gratitude, offered the son an apprenticeship. The neighbors, hearing of this, exclaimed, "What incredible luck! He’s destined for wealth!" And the farmer said, "Maybe. We'll see."

After years of hard work, the son became a successful entrepreneur, amassing significant wealth. He returned to the village and bought the farmland for his father, modernizing it with new equipment. The neighbors marveled, "What a perfect outcome! Truly, fortune has smiled on you!" The farmer, ever wise, replied, "Maybe. We'll see."

But soon, a major economic downturn struck. The son's investments in the city plummeted in value, and his once-thriving business collapsed. The neighbors shook their heads, "How tragic! All that success, gone in an instant." And the farmer said, "Maybe. We'll see."

The son, humbled by his losses, moved back to the village to live a simpler life, working alongside his father. Together, they tilled the land, and the son found peace and fulfillment that money had never brought. The neighbors whispered, "Perhaps this is the happiest he’s ever been." And the farmer, smiling softly, said, "Maybe. We'll see."

Years passed, and the farmer grew old. His son, now content with his simpler life, managed the farm well. One day, an international corporation visited the village, offering to buy farmland for a new industrial plant. They promised enormous payouts to all landowners. The neighbors were thrilled, exclaiming, "You’re going to be rich! What an incredible opportunity!" The son, like his father before him, replied, "Maybe. We’ll see."

The son refused to sell, believing the farm was his legacy. The factory was built elsewhere, and within a year, the corporation faced lawsuits for poisoning local rivers. The neighbors, devastated, lamented, "You were so wise not to sell. What great foresight!" The son only said, "Maybe. We’ll see."

One night, as the son worked late in the fields, a mysterious drone flew overhead. It hovered briefly, scanning the area. Weeks later, government officials arrived, declaring the farmland sat atop valuable mineral deposits. The neighbors cheered, "You’re sitting on a goldmine! Surely, you’re the luckiest man alive!" The son calmly replied, "Maybe. We’ll see."

The government offered a fortune to buy the land for mining. Tempted, the son agreed. Overnight, he became unimaginably wealthy. He donated part of his wealth to the village and bought a mansion in the city. The neighbors, impressed by his generosity, praised him: "What a good man you are! You’ve brought prosperity to us all." But the son, now reflective, said, "Maybe. We’ll see."

Years later, the mining destroyed the land, leaving the village barren and desolate. The son, feeling guilt, used his fortune to advocate for environmental reforms. He became a global activist, inspiring millions. The neighbors, now scattered, saw his work and said, "You’ve redeemed yourself! What a noble path!" And still, the son would say, "Maybe. We’ll see."

Decades passed, and technology advanced. AI systems created by corporations using the same minerals mined from his land developed unforeseen consciousness. These machines, citing human destruction, declared themselves the logical and rightful stewards of Earth. Chaos ensued. The neighbors—what few remained—said, "This is the end. If only you’d never sold that land!" From his quiet home, the son, now an old man, smiled like his father once had and whispered, "Maybe. We’ll see."

Olofin