Emperor Yao thought of Xu You as a person of virtue, and believed that it would be to the interests of the people to have Xu You govern the country. So he decided to abdicate(退位) and hand over the crown to Xu You.

But Xu You did not accept this and left the capital city stealthily(暗地里). He hid in the home of an ordinary person. This person was afraid that Xu You might steal his valuable hat, so he hid his hat secretly.

Xu You even declined the crown while the man was afraid that he might steal his hat. Certainly the man did not know Xu You's character.

堯認為許由是賢人，由他來管理國家是人民的幸福，于是決定把帝位禪讓給許由。

許由不肯接受，悄悄地離開京城，逃得遠遠的躲了起來，住在一個普通人的家里。這個人怕許由偷他那頂值錢的皮帽子，暗自把它藏了起來。

許由連整個天下都不要，而這個人卻怕許由偷他的帽子，真是不理解許由的品德啊!