One day, a group of mischievous children tried to play a trick on a man. They said to him, "There are birds' eggs in that tree. Could you get them for us? We can't climb up."
Loath to disappoint them, the man agreed to climb the tree. However, knowing the mischievous youngsters might run off with his boots if he left them on the ground, he tied them securely to his waistband before starting his ascent.
"We'll take care of your boots for you!" the children chorused.
"No, thank you!" he replied. "I am a busy man. As soon as I get the eggs for you, I'll make my way home along the treetops."