The Everything Family Christmas Book by Yvonne Jeffery

Author:Yvonne Jeffery
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781605507835
Publisher: Adams Media
Published: 2008-12-26T10:00:00+00:00

The shoemaker was ecstatic; he immediately went out and purchased plenty of food for his family—and some more leather. That afternoon he cut out two pairs of shoes and, just as before, laid all the pieces on his bench so that he could sew them the next day. Then he went upstairs to enjoy a good meal with his family.

“My goodness!” he cried the next morning when he found two pairs of beautifully finished shoes on his workbench. “Who could make such fine shoes—and so quickly?” He put them in his shop window, and before long some wealthy people came in and paid a great deal of money for them. The happy shoemaker went right out and bought even more leather.

For weeks, and then months, this continued. Whether the shoemaker cut two pairs or four pairs, the fine new shoes were always ready the next morning. Soon his small shop was crowded with customers. He cut out many types of shoes: stiff boots lined with fur, delicate slippers for dancers, walking shoes for ladies, tiny shoes for children. Soon his shoes had bows and laces and buckles of fine silver. The little shop prospered as never before, and its proprietor was soon a rich man himself. His family wanted for nothing.

As the shoemaker and his wife sat by the fire one night, he said, “One of these days, I shall learn who has been helping us.”

“We could hide behind the cupboard in your workroom,” she said. “That way, we would find out just who your helpers are.” And that is just what they did. That evening, when the clock struck twelve, the shoemaker and his wife heard a noise. Two tiny men, each with a bag of tools, were squeezing beneath a crack under the door. Oddest of all, the two elves were stark naked!

The two men clambered onto the workbench and began working. Their little hands stitched and their little hammers tapped ceaselessly the whole night through.

“They are so small! And they make such beautiful shoes in no time at all!” the shoemaker whispered to his wife as dawn rose. (Indeed, the elves were about the size of his own needles.)

“Quiet!” his wife answered. “See how they are cleaning up now.” And in an instant, the two elves had disappeared beneath the door.

The next day, the shoemaker’s wife said, “Those little elves have done so much good for us. Since it is nearly Christmas, we should make some gifts for them.”

“Yes!” cried the shoemaker. “I’ll make some boots that will fit them, and you make some clothes.” They worked until dawn. On Christmas Eve the presents were laid out upon the workbench: two tiny jackets, two pairs of trousers, and two little woolen caps. They also left out a plate of good things to eat and drink. Then they hid once again behind the cupboard and waited to see what would happen.

Just as before, the elves appeared at the stroke of midnight. They jumped onto the bench to begin their work, but when they saw all the presents they began to laugh and shout with joy.

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