Folksburywoods Story Blog

“Tomorrow, why did I promise the Squire his new shoes tomorrow?” complained the cobbler.

Erasmus gave the cobbler a soft stroke on his leg. “You’re kind, puss, but even your magical touch won’t finish these shoes by the morrow, ” the man muttered.

Thurston was the village cobbler; many said he was also the kingdom’s cobbler. Even the King had a pair of Thurston’s boots for hunting.

“Perhaps if I skimp on the polishing, I can finish in time,” said the cobbler.

The cat sunk his claws into Thurston’s leg and growled. “Ow! Okay, you’re right. After all, when have I ever let a pair out of my shop without seven coats,” said Thurston with a wry smile.

Erasmus had an idea that made the cobbler laugh until he was in tears. The cat rubbed wax on his paws and then began to stroke the shoe leather as he did on the house rug, only without using his claws.

“Brilliant! Now I can finish the other shoe while you polish this one,” the man remarked.

Both shoes were ready for lacing, and to Thurston’s horror, he was missing the laces.

“Ruined, the squire can’t wear these to the wedding lacking laces,” bemoaned the cobbler.

Erasmus had an idea to help his friend out of a pinch. Walking over to the floor rug, the cat shredded the cloth with its claws, producing a handful of long threads.

“Why, you old devil,” said the cobbler when he saw what the cat was doing. The cat gathered the threads in his mouth and brought them to the cobbler.

“I don’t understand. You destroyed my rug, and now you give me the product of your work as a gift?” asked the cobbler.

Erasmus rubbed the threads between his paws, forming a cord. “Well, I be. We’ll make the laces ourselves. Cat, you saved us!” cried Thurston.

The two work feverishly, rolling the fine thread to produce matching laces for the Squire’s shoes.

Sunlight burst into the shop just as the cobber threaded the laces into the shoes, gave them a final inspection, and placed them in the shop’s display window.

“Sorry, old friend, about calling you a devil; I will make it right. How does halibut sound for breakfast?” said Thurston.

Erasmus meowed and rubbed up against the cobbler’s leg. “I take that as a yes,” said the cobbler.

When the Squire arrived, the joy across his face was worth the long night’s work.

“Dear sir, these shoes are fabulous, and the laces show the extra care you put into each pair. Please accept this extra as a token of my appreciation,” said the Squire.

“Looks like you’ll be having cream with the halibut,” said the cobbler as they closed the shop and headed for the market for a tasty meal after a hard night’s work.