Ancient idiom shows how sharing is caring

The spirit of providing timely help to those in need is manifested in the Chinese idiom xue zhong song tan, which literally means "to send charcoal in snowy weather".

The story behind the idiom dates back to an ancient emperor. One freezing winter day, the emperor was resting in the palace, feeling cold, despite burning charcoal while enjoying delicious food and drinks. Looking at the snow outside, he suddenly thought of the poor people suffering.

The emperor then ordered officials to send food and charcoal to the old and poor in the capital to keep them warm and fed. The move created quite a stir at the time and, later, people used the idiom to describe giving others help when they are in need.