A man went to visit his friend. He noticed that the kitchen chimney was straight, and a pile of fuel was stacked beside the stove.
”You had better bend the chimney flue,” he advised his friend, the householder. “and move that firewood away, otherwise it may catch fire.”
But the master of the house ignored his advice.
Later the house did catch fire; but luckily the neighbours came and helped to put it out.
Then that family killed an ox and prepared wine to express their thanks to the neighbours. Those who had received burns were seated in the places of honour, and the rest according to their merit; but no mention was made of the man who had advised them to alter chimney and move the firewood away.
“If you had taken that man’s advice,” someone said to the master of the house, “you could have saved the expense of the ox and wine, and avoided a fire. Now you are entertaining your neighbors to thank them for what they did and ignore that man.”
Then the master of the house realized his mistake, and invited the man who had given him the good advice.
Allegorical Meaning
This story, where a wise guest suggests preventative measures (bending the straight chimney flue and moving firewood) to avert a potential house fire, only to be ignored, serves as a powerful allegory about the critical value of foresight, proactive problem-solving, and the folly of neglecting preventative advice.
Proactive Prevention > Reactive Solutions
This mirrors modern risk management principles where prevention is more valuable than crisis response.
True wisdom involves recognizing potential dangers early, listening to knowledgeable counsel, and taking proactive steps to mitigate risks before they escalate.
Wisdom of Humble Advice
The adviser’s lack of dramatic intervention made his contribution easily ignored, highlighting how quiet wisdom often gets overshadowed by visible heroism. The narrative urges valuing low-profile but insightful suggestions.
A Call for Humility and Listening to Counsel
The story is a lesson in humility for leaders and individuals alike. It warns against arrogance or complacency that dismisses sound advice, especially when it points out uncomfortable truths or requires preventative action.
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