Some small boys planned to steal the Mulla’s slippers and
run away with them. They called him, and pointed to a tree:
   ‘Nobody could climb that tree.’
   ‘Any one of you could,’ said Nasrudin, ‘and I shall show you.’
   Removing his slippers he tucked them into his belt and began
to climb.
   ‘Mulla’, they cried, ‘you won’t need your slippers in a tree.’
   Nasrudin, who had sensed without knowing why that he 
should take his slippers with him, reproved them: ‘Be prepared
for every emergency. For all I know, I might find a road up there.’