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,请你替大家拿下来怎么样?大家爬不上去。他不想使孩子们失望,便筹备爬上树去。但他了解假如把靴子留在地上,这群顽皮的小鬼必然会把靴子拿走,于是他先把靴子系在腰带上,然后开始爬树。孩子们齐声说:大家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。