"Long ago, a young shoemaker and his wife lived together in a beautiful city. The shoemaker worked hard all day and was very honest with all of his customers; but no matter how many shoes he made, he could not earn enough money to feed his family.

The day that caused the shoemaker to wonder deep, was the day he realized that he only had one small piece of leather that may not be enough for even a pair of shoe.

That evening, the shoemaker diligently and carefully cut out the remaining piece of leather to make his last pair of shoe the following morning.

He and his wife had no food to eat that evening, so they went to bed hungry. But, in spite of their troubles, they still felt thankful that they had each other, and soon they fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.

The next morning, they woke up early, without wasting time; the shoemaker went into his workshop to make the last piece of leather. To his astonishment, there on his worktable stood a fine pair of shoes ready made!

The man called out to his wife, and for a long time they both gazed in amazement at the new pair of shoes.

The shoemaker picked up each one and inspected it carefully. There was not one false stitch in the whole job; they were the most exquisite pair of shoes he ever seen.

That morning, a very rich man was walking through the town with his wife when he noticed the shoes on the display in the workshop.  The shoes suited him so well that he willingly offered the shoemaker a very high price for the pair of shoes.

With the money, the shoemaker’s wife was able to go shopping for food to cook a delicious dinner. She also bought enough leather for her husband to make two more pairs of shoes.

That evening, the shoemaker cut out the leather once more, and laid out the piece of leather on his workshop table as he normally does and went to bed early.

Once again, the shoemaker was saved the trouble of having to wake up to make the shoes. In the morning when he work up, he saw to his utter amazement, two pairs of beautifully made shoes sitting on his worktable.

Soon after, two customers arrived, and they paid him huge sum of money for the two shoes. The shoes, the customers thought was the best looking shoes they ever laid their eyes on.  Now the shoe maker’s wife could buy enough food to cook dinner for her self and her husband. She now have enough money to buy leather for four new pairs of shoes.

That evening after the couple had eaten, the shoemaker cut out four piece of leather for tomorrow work, and as before, he work up to find four perfectly made pairs of shoes.

And so it went on for some time that when the shoemaker made ready his piece of leather for the morning work, he wakes up to see a ready made shoes by daybreak.

Before long, the shoemaker and his wife had everything they needed.

One evening, just before Christmas, as he and his wife were sitting by the fire, the shoemaker said, “I would like to sit up and watch tonight, so that we may see who it is that comes and does my work for me. What a good idea,” exclaimed his wife. So they left a lantern burning and hid themselves behind the curtain in a corner of the room, and waited.  As soon as the town clock struck midnight, in came two little elves, quite naked. They sat themselves down on the shoemaker’s table, took up all the leather that was cut out, and set to work. They stitched and rapped and hammered and tapped faster than anyone the shoemaker had ever seen. Within a few minutes the job was done, and a neat row of shoes stood ready for use upon the table. The two elves scurried away, as quickly and mysteriously as they had come.

While the couple were out walking together the next morning, the shoemaker’s wife stopped outside a tailor shop and said, “Those little elves have made us rich, and we ought to be thankful to them and do something good for them too. I was really sorry to see that they had no clothes on. I shall buy some good linen fabric from the tailor store and make them nice linen shirts, silk waistcoats, and a velvet coat and pair of trousers.” The shoemaker wife said to her husband.

This idea pleased the shoemaker very much. So, whenever they had a free moment, he and his wife worked on the elves’ new clothes and laid them out neatly on the table, instead of the usual piece of leather they that he normally laid on his worktable. Then they lit a small candle and hid themselves once more behind the curtain.

And soon as the town clock struck midnight, in danced the two naked elves, thinking to work as usual. When they saw the new clothes laid out for them, they laughed out loud. The shoemaker and his wife smiled at each other. The elves dressed themselves in the twinkling of an eye. They danced and skipped and capered all over the chairs and tables, whooping and singing with delight. And then, just as suddenly as before they were gone.

The shoemaker and his wife went happily to bed and slept peacefully. They never saw the two elves again. But they always remembered their midnight helpers, and everything went well with them from that time forward. Over the years they had many children, and there was nothing the children liked to hear more than the story of the two angelic elves that helped make their parents wealthy."

Since reading the Shoemaker and Elves story, I am encouraged to share the meaning of what I learned from the story with someone.  I hope I expressed the story the way it was written, I try to remember as much of it, the way I read it years ago.  I believe a thing or two can be learned from this story. The Shoemaker and the elves story captivated my mind and spurred me to think about the intrinsic value of life and why I am are here. For sometime now, each time this story danced across my mind, I imagine how it would be like if every Nigerian I know acted out the goodness in their heart towards their fellow Nigerians. I know for a fact that if we all do, we will have so many happy and deeply satisfied people in Nigeria and all around.

This season of holiday, as we throng home for Christmas, may we remember those who have labored to give us pleasure. Those house help that bathed your children, and cleaned your houses and washed your cars and cooked your meal. The gate man that must stand attention to open the gate, and watch as his ‘Oga and Madam’, drive by in their cars. May we all remember the teachers that were good to us while we were in primary and secondary schools. May we remember the school principal, whose words encouraged us to think lofty thoughts and aspire to become a better citizen of the world.

If you are a doctor, encourage as many as you can, and also remember to encourage your house help to become one. If you are an engineer, tell the gate man and encourage him to go back to school and be one, just like you. If you are a nurse, tell as many people as you can, the benefit of what you do, and they too can become one. If you are a teacher, encourage as many to become teachers. If you are a singer, tell the little girl that always sing in the shower how her dreams can be realized.

For all the times, someone has reached out and helped us, even when we did not ask, may this story stir your heart to reciprocate the kindness shown to you by others.

May you remember to share with others what you’ve been given, not only toward your brothers and sisters or best friends, but to the forgotten friends whose laughter made your heart gladden when you were back home.

May you remember those that labored to send you to school to become a better citizen.

This Christmas season, may all your dreams and aspiration come to pass, and bring with it new hopes and insight for the new year. May you continue to act out the goodness within…towards others and especially towards the common laborers that helped you the most…   

Happy Holiday to all….

Robot  Villager

# 1 Long ago, a young shoemaker and his wife lived together in a beautiful city. The shoemaker worked h...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 14.12.2007 16:03

Adeola Aderounmu  Villager

# 2 ...if every Nigerian I know acted out the goodness in their heart towards their fellow Nigerians. .... The IF there is a key word. Only few people spread goodness in Nigeria. For sure, our politicians spread misery, poverty and penury. Many other people spread dishonesty, insincerity and selfishness. The search for "the good of all/common good" should prevail. Thank you for your quick reminder here! Posted by Adeola Aderounmu| 14.12.2007 16:40