"I", boasted the balloon pilot,"am the greatest balloon pilot in the land. Probably the world! You couldn't be in safer hands!"
His passengers in the basket were mightily impressed, some even breaking into applause.
"Yes", he continued,"I can fly in the thickest of fogs, and the lowest and densest of clouds, and still manage to judge an accurate height of just 6 feet above the ground..."
There's always one doubting Thomas, of course, so one of his passengers challenged him, saying "Look down there, then! Thick, thick cloud, and then the densest of ground mist or fog! Get us down there!"
The pilot skilfully adjusted his burner, and started moving his weighted sand bags from one side of the basket to the other. The balloon gently descended, much to the amazement of the passengers on board.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are now hovering a mere 6' off the ground!"
A round of applause greeted the rather grand announcement.
"In fact", continued the pilot,"I can confirm that a local resident and has even come out to greet us, and is extending his hand upwards in friendship!"
The pilot leaned out of the basket, shook the resident by the hand, before announcing the balloon was about to rise.
"Farewell! Farewell!"
A few seconds later, the doubting Thomas spoke in admiration.
"Astounding skill, pilot! Amazing! To put us down safely, through all the cloud and fog...skill indeed!"
"Not only that, sir", responded the pilot,"I can tell you exactly where we were... Liverpool"
The passengers were stunned.
"How on earth can you know that?! All the cloud! All that fog! And only a handshake from a local!"
"Easy", said the pilot."My wristwatch has gone..."