The Elves And The Shoemaker
A hardworking shoemaker finds himself in deep poverty, with only enough leather left to make a single pair of shoes. After he cuts the material and goes to bed, he wakes to find the shoes completely finished by an unseen force. He sells them for a high price, which allows him to buy more leather and repeat the process. Each night, the leather disappears overnight, only to reappear as perfectly crafted footwear by morning. As his business thrives, the shoemaker becomes wealthy again through this mysterious help. One evening, he and his wife decide to stay awake to discover who is helping them. They hide behind a curtain and watch two tiny naked dwarfs stitch the shoes with incredible speed and skill. The couple feels grateful for the elves' generosity and wants to reward their kindness. The wife sews small shirts and coats, while the shoemaker makes tiny pairs of shoes for each elf. They place these gifts on the table instead of the usual work pieces. When the dwarfs arrive, they are delighted by the clothes and quickly dress in them. They dance joyfully around the room before skipping out into the night forever. The shoemaker and his wife never see the elves again but remain prosperous for the rest of their lives.
