The Shoemaker

Inspired by The Elves and the Shoemaker, Located in Great Illustrated Classics, Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Playmore Inc., Publishers and Waldman Publishing Corp.

Upon a time of poorness fair lived a shoemaker and his wife

Impoverished and sad he had only enough leather to make one pair of shoes and tired of spirit and mind he slept long deep

Arising out of bed of warm comfort bright early he discovered to his amazement the shoes were astitch and done

Amazement curled in the air with stars atwinkle to give him a joy as his smile glowed far as he sold the pair for more than he ever did before

A sale of joy enabled purchase of more leather to make two pair of shoes and working diligently he cut out the shoes to be stitched in morn’s light

Again he awoke up and found the shoes stitched with detail perfect and sold for more and more as the pattern of generosity again and again happened until curiosity overcame him and wife to find out who was helping them so

Christmas a coming soon he and his wife started up and watched watched with patience that was rewarded well as they observed two elves make the shoes as fast as magic flowed hands of gracious craft

Smiles lingered flew between husband and wife as they agreed and marveled at skill of unique and the riches of bounty that cascaded into coffers of none into riches of awe

Compassion for the thinness and lack of clothing of warmth moved both to give a gift of gratitude, love and appreciation to the elves of mischief sweet

Singing and dancing in new apparel of gift they left saying their work is done and in remembrance if the help from the elves they promised to always help others whenever they could

His wife smiled a gift unexpected is always the sweetest of sweet

By

Felicia McCaw