Aesop's Fables · Chapter
The Charcoal-Burner and the Fuller explained
A Charcoal-burner invites a Fuller to share his house to reduce expenses and build friendship, but the Fuller declines, explaining that the charcoal dust would ruin his efforts to whiten cloth.
What happens
A Charcoal-burner invites a Fuller to share his house to reduce expenses and build friendship, but the Fuller declines, explaining that the charcoal dust would ruin his efforts to whiten cloth.
Themes in this chapter
Wisdom and Foolishness
The Fuller wisely recognizes the incompatibility of their trades, avoiding a foolish arrangement that would harm his work.
Appearance vs. Reality
The Charcoal-burner's friendly offer appears beneficial but would actually undermine the Fuller's livelihood.
Characters to notice
- The Fuller
A Fuller who settles near the Charcoal-burner and declines the offer to share a house.
- The Charcoal-Burner
A Charcoal-burner who lives alone and proposes sharing a house with the Fuller.
Key passages
“We shall get to know one another better that way, and, beside, our household expenses will be diminished.”
Sharing a home will help us become better friends and reduce our living costs.
The Charcoal-burner's reasoning for the shared living arrangement.
“I couldn’t think of it, sir: why, everything I take such pains to whiten would be blackened in no time by your charcoal.”
I cannot accept; your charcoal would quickly undo all my careful work of whitening cloth.
The Fuller's polite refusal, highlighting the conflict between their professions.