The Old Cobbler

There once lived a little old woman long ago. Grey haired, she wore raggy clothes and her feet did show.

She was walking along the road one cold afternoon, when suddenly she spotted beside a rusty spoon

An old leather shoe was thrown away. 'This shoe is lovely! I really must say!"

It was a left shoe, wrinkled and torn. 'I have a similar right shoe at home ready to be worn.'

This shoe had eyes among the laces. Yes shoes have eyes and a mouth, quite hidden faces.

He thought it odd that she thought he was useful. As he was thrown out for being withered and dull.

For an old woman who couldn't afford clothes. her feet were quite cold especially her toes.

She picked this shoe up and brought him home. Then placed it down beside the right shoe and around the house they would roam.

The old woman had left them on a table and went off for a bath. When she came back she found them both out on the path.

'How on earth did you get out here? Now, come with me and I'll make you look new and dear.'

What these old shoes did not know, was this old woman used to be a cobbler long ago.

This old poor woman once had a shoe shop in town, Before a cheaper shoe shop opened and closed her down.

Soon she was poor and moved to a cottage by the woods. She had to sell everything, yes all of her goods.

She placed the shoes on the dresser and took out some leather, This she had found lying in a ditch among some heather.

Sewing and hammering on new heels and soles, lacing and polishing and covering up the holes.

These shoes soon no longer looked old. They looked brand new and in any shop could be sold.

The next day the old woman wore them into town to try them out. She wore them with pride and a satisfied pout.

Everyone turned and admired this woman's foot wear. One lady stopped her and said 'forgive me I did not mean to stare.'

'I simply must ask you, I have nothing to lose. Where did you buy such beautiful shoes?'

'Oh, I didn't buy these dear, I found them thrown away.' Then she told her the story of how she mended them the previous day.

The lady was astonished at this old woman's skill. 'I have some shoes which need to be mended if you will?'

Soon everyone in town knew of this poor old woman and her talents for mending, she soon had piles of old shoes people were sending.

Shoes kept coming and and didn't seem to stop. So this poor old woman had to open a cobbling shop.

No longer poor now she knew it was because of the shoes she'd found. And each time they became worn, she mended them and wore them around.