Extra Reaidng Week 14: Brothers Grimm

The Elves

A shoemaker was so very poor. He was only able to make one more pair of shoes with the leather that he had left. He began on the shoes one night and left them to be finished in the morning after he was well rested. When he awoke, his shoes had been finished. They were absolutely perfect as if he had made them himself. A customer had stopped in the store and demanded he buy the shoes for more than what they would have been priced.

The amount of money that he received allowed him to buy enough leather to make 2 more pairs of shoes. He began making the shoes like the first and went to sleep to finish them in the morning. Like the first time the shoes were finished. This time a costumer came and paid him enough money to buy enough leather to make four pairs of shoes. This process continued everyday until he was wealthy and self supporting man.

When it was time for Christmas the man and the wife decided to stay awake at night and see who is finishing his shoes. His wife lit a candle at his work space. At midnight, two tiny naked men ran out and began working so quickly the shoemaker watched in amazement. As soon as they were done they ran out of the house quickly. The man and his wife were so grateful for their little men that they decided to show their appreciation by making the little men clothes of their own.

The shoemaker and his wife stayed up at night to see what the little men would do with their gifts. At first the little men were confused why there were tiny clothes but then became excited. They danced, sang and put on their new clothes. They never returned after that night but the shoemaker continued to keep making shoes and remained wealthy.

A pair of leather shoes. Source.