there is an ancient taoist tale very much like this, called the parable of the horse.
a farmer had a beautiful horse.
all his neighbors praised his horse. the farmer smiled.
the horse ran away.
all the neighbors lamented his loss. the farmer remained calm.
the horse returned, bringing with him four wild mares.
all the neighbors rejoiced at his good fortune. the farmer smiled.
the farmer’s son was breaking one of the new horses, which threw him, breaking his leg.
all the neighbors lamented the injury. the farmer remained calm.
the emperor’s troops came and took all the village’s young men for soldiers – except the farmer’s son.