English Original
There was once a charcoal-burner who lived and worked by himself. A fuller, however, happened to come and settle in the same neighbourhood. The charcoal-burner, having made his acquaintance and finding him an agreeable sort of fellow, asked if he would come and share his house.
"We shall get to know one another better that way," he said, "and, besides, our household expenses will be diminished."
The fuller thanked him, but replied, "I couldn't think of it, sir. Why, everything I take such pains to whiten would be blackened in no time by your charcoal."
中文翻译
从前，有一位烧炭工独自生活和工作。碰巧，一位漂洗工搬来，成了他的邻居。烧炭工结识了这位漂洗工，觉得他是个合得来的人，便邀请他搬来同住。
"那样我们能更好地了解彼此，"烧炭工说，"而且，我们的家用开销也能减少。"
漂洗工谢绝了他，回答道："先生，这我可不能考虑。您想啊，我费尽心思漂白的所有东西，转眼间就会被您的木炭染黑的。"