The future is not ours to see

The people of United States were heady with excitement on Nov. 2, 1948. The Presidential elections were going to be held that day. Who would win? Harry Truman or Thomas Dewey? The odds were clearly in favour of Dewey and the Republican Party. "Truman can count himself out. The Democrats have had a long innings. Now it is the turn of the Republicans," said many people. The leading members of the Press analysed the situation. Most journalists felt that Dewey would win. But they did not make any firm prediction. They shied away, saying, "Public opinion can swing suddenly. Who can say, for sure, about election results?" But one man was absolutely certain of Dewey's victory. He was the editor of The Chicago Times. So he wrote, in advance, an editorial hailing the victory of Dewey. He prepared the headline for the front page: Dewey Defeats Truman. "Should we not wait till the results are out? Should we not have an alternate editorial and head line? Truman may well spring a surprise," said one of the editorial assistants. The editor pinned him down with a stern stare. Then he said, rather loudly, "I know man, Dewey will win and win by a huge margin. Have no doubts on that. I can read the future, at least as far as the end result of this election is concerned." The proofs were read and the first editions were printed with the headline and the editorial. The results of the elections began to trickle in. The people had voted massively in favour of Truman. Dewey was left far behind. The editor of The Chicago Times had egg all over his face. He had tried to gauge the future. The future, in turn, had pulled a fast one on him. The future was not his to see.


Meaning: None knows what is in store for him in the days to come.

Alternatives: The future is unknown. The future lies in the womb of time.