The Elves and the Shoemaker
This is a story of a very poor shoemaker who lives with his wife. One day, he realises that all he has left is enough leather to make one pair of shoes. So he leaves the leather on his desk and he and goes off to bed.
Find out what happens in the middle of the night. Discover who is helping him. Notice what happens to the shop. Hear what his wife does. Enjoy finding out how it all ends.
This is a happy story. It has some very special characters in it!
Download this Elves and the Shoemaker mp3 audio story now!
The Elves and the Shoemaker
A Tales of Time adaptation of the fairy tale.
There was once a shoemaker who lived with his wife in a small house which had a little shop at the front. He worked very hard and was honest. But he didn’t earn enough money for him and his wife to live on.
One day, he realised that all he had left was enough leather to make one pair of shoes.
So he left the leather ready on his desk and he and his wife went off to bed.
In the morning, the shoemaker had his breakfast and went into his workroom to make up the last pair of shoes…. But what should he find?
The leather was missing and in its place, stood a pair of well-crafted shoes. They were beautiful and of the very best quality.
"What workmanship" he said "but who made them?"
He was totally baffled. He looked around the room and around the house, no sign of anyone! He showed his wife, who was equally baffled.
They were still standing in the workroom staring at them when the shop bell rang. They both rushed to the shop where there was a wealthy customer.
They showed him the new shoes and he tried them on. They fit him so well, and looked so good that he paid more than the normal price for them.
They had some money! The shoemaker immediately dashed out and bought some more leather, it was enough for TWO pairs of shoes.
That night, he went to bed quite happy and he planned to get up early to get straight to work.
Next day, he couldn’t believe his eyes. What should be sitting on his desk by morning? But two beautifully made pairs of shoes. He looked around the room, maybe the workman was still here! But no, again, no sign.
Well these shoes sold within two hours and made enough money to buy leather for FOUR pairs. The couple were so happy and got ready for lots of customers.
Night after night, the shoemaker would lay out the new leather and by daybreak, the shoes would be made, ready to sell.
And day after day, young customers and old customers, local customers and customers from the next village, all came into their shop and bought their shoes.
The shoemaker and his wife worked hard to make the most of this opportunity. They became wealthy again and could afford to keep their house and business.
One evening, before Christmas, the shoemaker and his wife were sitting by the fire, chatting.
"How lucky we have been" he said to her. "I’d like to sit up tonight to see who comes and does my work for me."
The wife thought it was a good idea. They lit a candle in the workroom so they could see, and they hid themselves inside the cupboard.
They waited and waited, and at midnight exactly, in came two little tiny elves! They, had pointy ears, funny screwed up faces and were slightly green. They had no clothes and after a little squabble, they sat themselves down to work.
The wife looked at her husband in surprise. The shoemaker was watching them intently. How quickly they worked. In no time at all they had made five exquisite pairs of shoes. When they were finished, they ran off as quick as lightening, shutting the window behind them.
The shoemaker and his wife were totally amazed and each went to bed without a word.
Over breakfast, they discussed the magic of the night before and how grateful they were the elves were helping them.
"Dear, these little elves have made us so happy – we should show our thanks to them and do a favour for them."
The shoemaker nodded in agreement.
"I was sorry to see that they had no clothes. Perhaps we could make them some and leave them on the desk tonight."
Her husband knew that elves liked to work for humans, but when they were given clothes, they would feel free to go. His business was thriving now and he congratulated her on her idea.
So, that day, while he worked in the shop, his wife was busy making tiny little clothes. She made two shirts, two trousers with two matching waistcoats. She also made two long warm coats, taking care to make them all beautiful.
Then, after dinner, they lay the clothes on the desk and hid themselves inside the cupboard again.
Sure enough at midnight, along came the two helpful, hardworking elves.
At first they were confused by the folded material on the desk. Then they realised they were clothes and put them on! They had never had clothes before – and how beautiful these ones were!
They skipped and danced around the desk and then they jumped out of the window and raced over the green, singing and laughing all the way!
The shoemaker and his wife were sorry to see them go, but were pleased they had managed to thank them, for now they had their house, a good business which kept them well and of course, they had each other.
And the elves? They were never seen again.
The End.
©Tales of Time 2008