TALES OF THE 24 EXEMPLARS: HUANG XIANG (176 B.C.)

HUANG XIANG:  FANNING THE PILLOWS AND WARMING THE SHEETS FOR HIS WIDOWED FATHER 
Huang Xiang's mother died when he was just 9 years old.  The young boy who lived during the Han Dynasty was a model of filial service to his widowed father who was grieving for his dead wife.
Han Xiang noticed that his father was in a depressive state from his grief and loss.  He decided to cheer his father up by doing chores and deeds for him.  His only concern was to spare his father worry and anxiety. While the elder Hwang read by the light of a candle, Huang Xiang, in the sticky heat of the summer's evening would fan the pillows, so that they would be cool when his father went to sleep.
In winter, the little boy would first hop into his father's bed to warm the blankets. His actions touched his father's heart. To have such a rare person as his son, who spared no details in serving as a dutiful child, was certainly a blessing.
Reference:
http://nirvana-sg.com/24-filial-exemplars/huang-xiang
http://www.yogichen.org/cw/cw43/bk144.html

COMMENT

Of all the Tales of Filial Piety, I find this one to be plausible and believable.