Purple Day Podcast #24: The Shoemaker & the Elves
About the Story: The Shoemaker & the Elves
An old shoemaker has enough leather left to make only one last pair of shoes. One evening he cuts out the leather and sets it on the bench with a thread and a needle, everything in its place so he can start work in the morning.
The next morning he wakes to find the shoes already made — and made quite well. He sells them for enough money to buy leather for two more pairs. So he cuts out the leather and sets it out again the evening before, and again he wakes to find the shoes finished.
This happens over and over, until soon the shoemaker has plenty of business and plenty of money for leather.
He decides to stay awake one night and see who has been helping him, so that he can thank them properly. And he discovers two little elves, working hard on his shoes — with no shoes of their own.
He doesn’t like seeing them that way, and he wants to show them his gratitude. So he cuts wee shoes out of leather, sews them each a pair, and leaves them on the bench for the elves to find.
This is a traditional tale, in my own retelling.
Ways to Enjoy This Story
- Listen — the audio is in the player above, or hear it on the Purple Day podcast, where you can download the episode and find the RSS feed.
Late Winter Circle Time Highlights
This is the fourth week of the month, so our circle time is at its longest — we learn the final verses of the songs and poems we started at the beginning of the month.
Bulbs
Author unknown
Winter tells us little bulbs
To tuck our heads in so,
Then we will not need to shiver
When the cold winds blow.
Spring will come with sun and showers
Soon to raise our head.
Then we’ll grow and grow and grow,
Right out of bed.
Love This Story? Try These Next
- Grandpa Ivy & the Wool — another story about making something by hand
- The Clay Pot — a folk tale about making room
- Tidy-Up Teddy — the other late winter teaching tale
Explore every episode in the Purple Day Online Library.
About Purple Day
Purple Day is the audio from Storytime's Monday episodes. Storytime in the Schoolhouse® is written and recorded for the screen, so some elements transfer to audio-only better than others. You can also follow the podcast to download episodes and find the RSS feed.
Sample our video episodes and see what it's like.
Free Seasonal Sampler
Love this approach to rhythm and storytelling? Download our free Storytime Seasonal Sampler — a curated week of videos from each season, to help you begin building your family rhythm.
Make this part of your daily rhythm.
In Storytime, the songs, stories, and crafts follow the rhythm of the seasons... and it's already laid out for you.
Each morning, open the day’s episode and enjoy it with your child. It’s one small moment at the same time each day that's meant to be enjoyed together.
Let that rhythm anchor you, and watch it grow from there with seasonal handwork and afternoon art projects.
First month: $1; standard rate after that. No commitment, easy to cancel. Equity rates available.
