The Old Cobbler And The Christmas Wish.

Winter was blowing in as the old cobbler sat by the fire on Christmas Eve in her shop, mending a pair of leather boots. She hummed a Christmas carol while she mended. Her shoes looked at one another with wide eyes as she hummed. A wind howled outside and it began to snow heavily. 'Deary me,' she said. 'It looks like a blizzard outside.' She threw some more wood on the fire and pulled her shawl up around her shoulders. I hope it stops before I go home. I only asked for one gift from Santa this year and if I cannot get home, it won’t be possible. She had a tree up in the shop. It was beautifully decorated with red bows and green baubles with some glass baubles and candles lighting inside of them. There was red berried holly and garland along the shelves and the wooden post supporting the ceiling. The shop was a glow with lighting candles all around, the light from the fire and the beautifully lit tree. The old cobbler had made herself some mulled wine and the shop smelled of fruit and spice. When it was time to go home, the blizzard still hadn't eased off. Snow was now half way up the front door of the shop. 'How am I going to get home? I shall have to spend the night here.’ The storm raged on and on and on. ‘Never in all my life have I seen this much snow. I’m stuck here and there is barely enough firewood for the rest of the night. I shall freeze.’ Her shoes looked at each other with sorrow in their eyes this time. She made a bed beside the fire and settled down for the night. She sang Carols to herself and drank the last of the mulled wine. Although the fire was burning away and she would be cold, she didn't mind. She was glad to have the shop. After a while she awoke to hear a noise outside. She threw her shawl around her and went out to investigate. She gasped when she found the way had been cleared and she could leave. There was a path which was lit completely by lanterns and it brought her straight to her house. ‘This is quite extraordinary, who would do this?’ When she got to her house, her front door was open. Smoke was rising from the chimney. She cautiously approached and went inside, fearing there might be robbers. When she peered around the corner, she couldn't believe her eyes. It was The Boogieman, the witch, the troll and the vampire she had mended shoes for. The Vampire had brought his family. She had never had so many visitors at once. ‘How did you know I was trapped at the shop?’ she asked graciously. “Trapped at the shop? We have only just arrived here with presents for you.” replied the witch. She pointed to the tree and there, beneath, sat gifts. “Oh thank you so much. Please, you really must stay the night and have dinner with me tomorrow.” They all agreed and she made them all beds for the night. As they all slept, she crept quietly into the tree early the next morning to unwrap her gifts. A dress from the witch, some expensive leather from the vampire to make herself some nice shoes, some homemade lanterns from the troll and a promise of dance lessons from the Boogieman. “How lovely, and oh what’s this?” There was also a letter. She opened it and it read “I received your letter about your only wish this year was to not be lonely on Christmas day. ‘Christmas is like an unlit path for me, dark and lonesome. Please help to light my lonely path.’ Merry Christmas, Santa.” She looked up and smiled with a tear in her eye. “Thank you.” She whispered.