The Elves and the Shoemaker
Once upon a time, in a tiny, cozy village, there lived a kind shoemaker named Mr. Cobbler and his cheerful wife, Mrs. Cobbler. They had a little shop filled with leather and shoe tools, but alas, they were very poor. Mr. Cobbler had just enough leather left to make one last pair of shoes.
That night, Mr. Cobbler cut his leather and laid it out, ready to be made into shoes the next day. Tired, he went to bed, wondering what tomorrow would bring.
But guess what? When the sun peeked through the windows the next morning, a magical surprise awaited! There, on the workbench, stood the most splendid pair of shoes, stitched perfectly and polished to a shine. Mr. Cobbler was amazed! Who could have made these wonderful shoes?
The shoes were so beautifully made that a customer bought them immediately, giving enough money to buy leather for two more pairs of shoes.
The next morning, another surprise! Two more pairs of fantastic shoes were ready and waiting. This went on night after night, and soon, the news of these incredible shoes spread throughout the village, making Mr. and Mrs. Cobbler’s shop the most popular one around!
Curious about who was helping them, Mr. and Mrs. Cobbler decided to hide and watch the shop one night. As the clock struck midnight, in came two tiny, merry elves. They worked swiftly and skillfully, their little fingers flying over the leather.
The Cobblers were filled with gratitude. They wanted to thank the elves! So, Mrs. Cobbler stitched tiny, elegant clothes, and Mr. Cobbler made teeny, comfortable shoes just for the elves.
That night, instead of leather, they left the gifts for the elves. When the elves came in and saw the presents, their eyes sparkled with joy! They dressed in their new clothes and danced around the shop, happier than ever.
After that magical night, the elves didn’t return, but Mr. and Mrs. Cobbler never forgot their kindness. Their shop continued to thrive, and they lived happily ever after, always remembering to help others just as they had been helped.
Moral of the Story: Kindness is the greatest wealth; when you help others, magical things can happen!