HE FANNED THE PILLOW AND WARMED THE QUILT

扇枕温衾 HE FANNED THE PILLOW AND WARMED THE QUILT


汉。黄香。年九岁。失母。思慕惟切。乡人称其孝。香躬执勤苦。一意事父。夏天暑热。为扇凉其枕席。冬天寒冷。以身暖其被褥。太守刘护表而异之。有诗为颂。诗曰

When Huáng Xiāng of the Hàn dynasty was nine years old, he lost his mother. He [continued to] think of her so much and with such love that the neighbors praised his filial devotion. Xiāng did diligent and painful work, and his one thought was to serve his father. In summer, when the weather was hot, he cooled his [father's] pillow and mat with a fan. In winter, when the weather turned cold, he warmed his [father's] quilts and cushions with his body. The prefect Liú Hù publicly honored and recognized him [for his rare filiality]. A verse praises him thus:



冬月温衾暖。炎天扇枕凉。儿童知子职。千古一黄香。

In winter he warms the quilts, and

In hot weather he fans the pillow to make it cool;

The child knows a son's duty;

In a thousand ages there can be but one Huáng Xiāng.