The Elves and the Shoemaker
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The shoemaker had only one small piece of leather left. He cut it into shapes for one pair of shoes. Then he blew out the candle and went to bed.
In the morning, the shoes were on the table, finished! Every stitch was perfect and neat. The shoemaker rubbed his eyes in wonder.
A customer tried on the shoes and loved them. He paid more coins than the usual price! With that money, he bought leather for two more pairs.
In the morning, two perfect pairs waited on the table. The shoemaker laughed out loud with joy! He bought more leather and cut it out that evening.
On a cold Christmas eve, they sat by the warm fire. 'Let us stay up and watch tonight,' he said. They wanted to see who was helping them.
They left one candle burning and hid behind the curtain. In they came, quiet as mice: two tiny barefoot elves! They hopped onto the bench and got to work.
Stitch, tap, stitch, tap. They sewed faster than any shoemaker! By the time the moon set low, every shoe was finished. Then they danced away into the dark.
'We must thank those little helpers,' said the wife. She sewed two tiny shirts and two little coats. The shoemaker made two small pairs of shoes.
That evening, they laid all the tiny gifts on the bench. They blew out the candle and hid. In they came, quiet as mice, but tonight, no leather waited.
The elves found the little pile of clothes. They laughed and clapped and pulled on every stitch. They had never looked so pleased!
Round and round they danced, spinning and leaping. Then they danced out into the moonlit night.
The elves were never seen again. But the shop stayed warm and full, all their days. Kindness given comes back again.