《曲突徙薪（xīn）》成语英译与典故

五十七、曲突徙薪（xīn）

古时候有一家人，

锅灶旁边堆柴薪，

烟囱垒得粗又直，

柴束草垛堆得近。

那天家里来了客，

客人见状很担心，

劝主人，快把柴垛移开去，

别靠烟囱这么近。

烟囱最好垒个弯，

预防失火最要紧。

主人认为皮毛事，

根本没有放在心。

哪料想，一天果然失了火，

救火多亏众乡邻。

这家人宰牛摆酒表酬谢，

正席上，都是救火烧伤的人。

有人说：“那次你家来客人，

曾劝你，重垒烟囱移柴薪。

失了火，因你忽略良言劝，

表酬谢，为何不请那客人？”

主人一想果在理，

赶紧去请那客人。

实际上他若早听客人话，

也免得，失火救火劳乡邻。

这说明，正确意见要采纳，

否则害己又误人。

Bend the Chimney and Remove the Fuel

In ancient times，there was a household，beside whose pot there was a stack of wood.The chimney was thick and straight，and the stack was quite near.One day a guest came to his home，and felt upset as he saw it.He suggested the host remove the stack right away，and keep it a little further away from the chimney.And the chimney should bend a little，so as to prevent it from starting a fire.

The host，however，thought it was a trifle，and didn't keep it in his mind at all.Unexpectedly，one day a fire did break out.And thanks to the folk，it was put out before it ruined the house.The house⁃holder slaughtered an ox and brought out wine to re⁃ward his helpful neighbours.On the honoured seats were all those who had extinguished the fire.One of them stood up and said，“Last time a visitor came to your home，and gave you a suggestion to rebuild the chimney and remove the fuel stack.Now you were struck by the fire merely because you neglected his golden advice.Now that you are giving thanks why not invite that man？”

The householder thought it reasonable，and went to invite that friend of his immediately.As a matter of fact，had he listened to his friend's advice，there should not have been a fire and not have needed to trouble his neighbours.This means，a correct idea should be accepted，lest harm will be done to one and to others.