The Elves and the Shoemakers

The Elves and the Shoemakers

Mollie and Ollie made very good shoes. They lived and worked together. To make good shoes they had to use the very softest leather. The cost of leather went up and up. They had no money for more. The very last pair of shoes was sold. Now Mollie and Ollie were poor.

A bit of red leather was all they had. They shut the shop and went to bed. "No money for leather, no leather for shoes. We've nothing to sell," they said.

In the night, six elves came in. They sat down in a row. They snipped the leather and stitched some shoes, the finest they could sew.

"Did you make these shoes, dear Mollie? They're lovely!" Ollie said. "It wasn't me!" said Mollie,"I was asleep in my bed."

A rich man came and bought the shoes. "You make good shoes," he said. "Here is the money to make some more.Make me a hundred pairs in red." "They must be made by Friday noon for that's my wedding day, and if those pairs of shoes are late,I shall refuse to pay."