Once upon a time there was an old man who lived near a fort in the north and owned a horse. One day the horse ran away to a northern barbarian nation. His neighbors pitied him. But the old man told them to wait and see id this misfortune could not lead to something good. And, indeed, one day the horse returned accompanied by a beautiful Mongol horse. The neighbors congratulated him.” Don’t be rash," said the old man,” this may yet bring misfortune." Sure enough, shortly afterwards his son was thrown off the new horse and became a cripple. When the neighbors condoled with him, the old man answered:” Who knows if this misfortune will not turn out happily?" Soon the Huns invaded the district, and all its young man were called up. Nine out of ten of these men were killed. The cripple, of course, stayed at home, and so the old man until death had a son to support him.