English Original
Long ago, a family's kitchen chimney was built so straight that flames shot out when cooking. A large pile of firewood sat right in front of the stove opening.
An elderly neighbor saw this and advised the master of the house: "You must quickly overhaul the chimney and bend it so the flames won't shoot out. You should also move the firewood pile farther from the stove; otherwise, it could easily catch fire."
The master paid no heed to the old man's warning.
One day, sparks landed on the firewood. Sure enough, the house was soon ablaze. Fortunately, all the neighbors rushed to help put out the fire.
To show his gratitude, the master held a feast for the neighbors who had helped. Those injured in the fire, especially the severely burned, were given the seats of honor. However, the old man who had offered the earlier advice was not invited.
As the guests were seated, a wise man said to the master: "If you had listened to that old man, overhauled the chimney, and moved the firewood, this fire would never have happened. It is right for you to thank those who helped put out the fire."
中文翻译
从前，一户人家的厨房烟囱砌得太直，做饭时火焰直冒。灶门前偏偏堆着一大堆柴草。
隔壁的一位老人看到后，劝告家主：“你得赶紧改造烟囱，把它拐个弯，这样烧火时火焰就不会直冒了。灶门前的柴草堆也该搬远些，不然容易着火。”
家主对老人的警告不以为然。
一天，火星溅到柴草上，房子果然烧了起来。幸亏邻居们都赶来帮忙，才把火扑灭。
家主设宴答谢救火的邻居。在救火中受伤的人，尤其是那些烧得焦头烂额的，被请到了上座。然而，当初提出忠告的那位老人却没有被邀请。
宾客入座时，一位有见识的人对家主说：“如果你当初听了那位老人的话，及早改造烟囱、搬走柴草，这场火灾就不会发生。你今天答谢救火的人，是应该的。”