I was on vacation last week so this week we have The Shoemaker and the Elves. Do you know this one? I really like it. Just in case you never heard it, here’s an abridged version.

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Once upon a time… there was a shoemaker who became very poor. So poor he only had leather enough to make one more pair of shoes. Before he went to bed, he carefully cut the leather out for his last pair of shoes and placed it on his workbench to be finished the next morning.

He said his prayers and went to bed. In the morning he was astonished to find a perfectly made pair of shoes on the workbench. A few moments later a customer came and bought the shoes for a fine amount.

With enough to buy leather for two pair of shoes the shoemaker bought and cut the leather with the intention of making the shoes in the morning. However, in the morning he found two well crafted pair of shoes in place of the materials. That very morning a customer came and bought the two pair of shoes for enough money to buy leather for four pair.

And so it went on until the shoemaker was in the way of making a very fine living and became very well to do.

One night, not long before Christmas, when the shoemaker had finished cutting out, he said to his wife, “How would it be if we were to sit up tonight and see who it is that does us this service.”

His wife agreed and at midnight two perfectly formed, naked little men (elves) came and set to work on the shoes. They worked so fast that the shoemaker’s eyes could hardly follow.

The next morning the shoemaker’s wife said, “Those two little men have made us rich. We aught to show our gratitude.”

The shoemaker agreed and the two spent the day fashioning the elves a full set of clothes including waistcoat, stockings and of course shoes. They placed the gifts on the workbench in place of leather cut outs.

When the elves arrived they were shocked, but then took up the pretty clothes, put them on and danced around the room singing. “What spruce and dandy boys are we! No longer cobblers will we be.” The danced out the door and were never seen again; but it always went well with the shoemaker as long as he lived, and whatever he took in hand prospered.

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Lovely story, right? Finally a story where a good person get’s his due through magic and without greed. Have a wonderful weekend!

Pre-Order Tainted Bride

Coming Soon – September 27, 2016

Only trust can save her….

Sailing to London, Sophia Braighton only hopes to escape certain ruin. But when she arrives, her Great Aunt Daphne has other plans for the American-born beauty.  Determined to marry off her niece to a man of means, she propels Sophia into London society, not knowing that the young woman’s trust in men is shattered. In fact, Sophia never expects to ever feel anything for a man. Then again, she never expects to find herself in the
company of the dashing earl of Marlton….

From the moment he sees Sophia, Daniel Fallon feels alive in a way he has not since his broken engagement.  Though the vulnerable beauty shies from the passion burning bright between them, Daniel is determined to court her and make her his bride. And when he learns of the painful secret she harbors, he is equally determined to take revenge on the man responsible. But will the quest destroy him—and his future with his beloved?