One day a bunch of naughty children wanted to make fun of him and said to him: There are birds' eggs on that tree. Will you get them for us please? We can't climb up.

Loath¹ to disappoint the children, he was ready to climb the tree. But knowing that the mischievous²（淘气的） youngsters would make off with his boots if he left them on the ground, he tied them to his waist-band before he started the climb.

We'll take care of your boots for you! the children chorused.

No, thank you! was he reply. I am a busy man. And as soon as I've got the eggs for you, I'll make my way home along the tree-tops.

有一天，一群顽皮的孩子想捉弄他，便对他说：那树上有鸟蛋，请你替我们拿下来好吗？我们爬不上去。他不想使孩子们失望，便准备爬上树去。但是他知道如果把靴子留在地上，这群顽皮的小鬼一定会把靴子拿走，于是他先把靴子系在腰带上，然后开始爬树。孩子们齐声说：我们会替你保管好你的靴子的。

他回答道：谢谢你们，不必了。我是个忙人。替你们取到蛋后，我就要沿着树顶走回家。