The Elves and the Shoemaker

A poor shoemaker lives with his wife above his shop. One evening, he has leather for only one pair of shoes. He cuts it, leaves the pieces on the table, and goes to bed.

In the morning, the shoes are on the table. They are perfect, and every stitch is small and straight. A man pays a lot for them. Now he can buy leather for two pairs.

It happens again and again, and soon he isn't poor anymore.

One night before Christmas, his wife says, "Let's stay up and see who's helping us." They hide behind some coats in the corner. At midnight, two tiny elves come in. They have no clothes at all. They work fast and leave before morning.

"They help us, and they're cold," says the wife. "Let's help them too." She sews two little shirts, two coats, and two pairs of trousers. The shoemaker makes two pairs of tiny shoes.

On Christmas Eve, they leave the clothes on the table and hide. At midnight, the little men find the presents. They put everything on and laugh. "Look at us! We're fine gentlemen now. No more work for us!" They dance over the chairs and out of the door, and they never come back. But the shoemaker's shop stays busy for the rest of his life.