The Elves and the Shoemaker

A poor shoemaker cuts out his last leather at night, and every morning the shoes are finished. At Christmas time he and his wife watch by candlelight, see two tiny elves at work, and thank them with little clothes.

Scene 1: Leather for One Pair

The Elves and the Shoemaker. Once upon a time, there was a shoemaker who worked hard and was very honest. But he grew so poor that he had only enough leather left for one pair of shoes. That evening, he cut out the leather, ready to sew the shoes in the morning. Then he went peacefully to bed and fell asleep.

Scene 2: Shoes by Morning

In the morning, there on his table stood the shoes, all finished! He looked at them closely. Every stitch was in its right place. Soon a customer came in. He liked the shoes so much that he paid more than the usual price.

Scene 3: Two Pairs, Then Four

With the money, he bought leather for two pairs. By morning, they were finished too! Next he bought leather for four pairs, and they were finished as well. And so it went on. Whatever he cut out in the evening was ready by the morning. Soon the shoemaker was not poor anymore.

Scene 4: Who Is Helping Us?

One evening, not long before Christmas, the shoemaker said to his wife: “How would it be if we stayed up tonight, to see who is helping us?” His wife agreed, and she lit a candle. Then they hid in a corner, behind some coats that were hanging up, and watched.

Scene 5: Two Little Men

At midnight, in came two tiny little men, with no clothes on at all. They sat down at the shoemaker’s table and began to stitch, and sew, and hammer. Their little fingers worked so fast that the shoemaker could hardly follow them. When all the shoes were finished, they jumped up and ran away.

Scene 6: A Thank-You Gift

The next morning, the wife said: “The little men have made us rich. They have nothing to wear, so they must be cold.” Then she smiled and said: “I will sew them little shirts, coats, vests, and pants, and knit them stockings. And you can make them tiny shoes.” The shoemaker gladly agreed. When everything was ready, they laid the gifts on the table instead of the leather, and hid again.

Scene 7: Boys So Fine

At midnight, the little men came skipping in, ready to work. When they saw the little clothes, they were surprised, and then full of delight. They dressed in a twinkling, and sang: “Now we are boys so fine to see, Why should we longer cobblers be?” Then they hopped and danced over the chairs and benches, and danced right out of the door.

Scene 8: Happy Ever After

From that time on, the little men never came back. But all went well with the shoemaker and his wife for as long as they lived. The little men helped the shoemaker, and he and his wife thanked them. One good turn deserves another.

Moral: One good turn deserves another. Be thankful to those who help you.

Questions about The Elves and the Shoemaker

How much leather did the poor shoemaker have left?

Enough for one pair of shoes.

What did the shoemaker find on his table in the morning?

The shoes, all finished.

Where did the shoemaker and his wife hide?

Behind some coats that were hanging up.

What did the wife make for the little men?

Little shirts, coats, vests, and pants.

What did the little men do after they dressed?

They sang, danced, and went out of the door.