The Lotus Sūtra 2.19

2.19

「舍利弗！是長者作是思惟：『我身手有力，當以衣裓、若以机案，從舍出之。』復更思惟：『是舍唯有一門，而復狹小。諸子幼稚，未有所識，戀著戲處，或當墮落，為火所燒。我當為說怖畏之事，此舍已燒，宜時疾出，無令為火之所燒害。』作是念已，如所思惟，具告諸子，汝等速出。父雖憐愍、善言誘喻，而諸子等樂著嬉戲，不肯信受，不驚不畏，了無出心；亦復不知何者是火？何者為舍？云何為失？但東西走戲，視父而已。

"Śāriputra, that elder thought: 'My body and hands have strength. I could carry them out of the house in a robe, or on a bench.' Again he thought: 'This house has only a single gate, which is moreover narrow and small. The children are young and lack discernment; clinging to their play-places, they may fall and be burned by the fire. I must explain terrifying matters to them: this house is already burning; you must come out quickly at once, so that you are not burned and harmed by the fire.' Having thought this, just as he had deliberated, he fully informed his sons: 'Come out quickly!' Although the father was compassionate and used gentle words to entice and instruct them, the sons were happily absorbed in playing games and were unwilling to believe and accept his words. They were neither frightened nor terrified, having no thought at all of leaving; nor did they know what fire was, what a house was, or what loss meant. They only ran east and west playing, merely looking at their father.