What's the origin of the Chinese Farmer story?

Alan Watts told *The Story of the Chinese Farmer *, which is also sometimes found under the title *Maybe*. It appears that he told this story sometime between 1960-1969, since it was published in Watts, A. (2011). *Eastern wisdom, modern life: Collected talks: 1960-1969*. New World Library. **Is there any history of this story before Watts?** Is there a similar story that it might have been based upon? On the other hand, has some scholar researched this question and concluded that Watts wrote it himself?