Conversation – 15

There seems to be two different stories with the same title. I am dong both. ♥

How different each story is yet still a treasure to read. ♥

“Look at the good-for-nothing!” cried the old woman, full of wrath at the sight of the
shoeless boy. “What have you done with your shoe, you little villain?”
Little Wolff did not know how to lie, so, although trembling with terror when he saw the
rage of the old shrew, he tried to relate his adventure.
But the miserly old creature only burst into a frightful fit of laughter.
“Aha! So my young gentleman strips himself for the beggars. Aha! My young gentleman
breaks his pair of shoes for a bare-foot! Here is something new, forsooth. Very well,
since it is this way, I shall put the only shoe that is left into the chimney-place, and I’ll
answer for it that the Christ-Child will put in something to-night to beat you with in the
morning! And you will have only a crust of bread and water to-morrow. And we shall see
if the next time, you will be giving your shoes to the first vagabond that happens along.”
And the wicked woman having boxed the ears of the poor little fellow, made him climb
up into the loft where he had his wretched cubbyhole.
Desolate, the child went to bed in the dark and soon fell asleep, but his pillow was wet
with tears.
But behold! the next morning when the old woman, awakened early by the cold, went
downstairs – oh, wonder of wonders – she saw the big chimney filled with shining toys,
bags of magnificent bonbons, and riches of every sort, and standing out in front of all
this treasure, was the right wooden shoe which the boy had given to the little vagabond,
yes, and beside it, the one which she had placed in the chimney to hold the bunch of
switches.
As little Wolff, attracted by the cries of his aunt, stood in an ecstasy of childish delight
before the splendid Christmas gifts, shouts of laughter were heard outside. The woman
and child ran out to see what all this meant, and behold! all the gossips of the town were
standing around the public fountain. What could have happened? Oh, a most ridiculous
and extraordinary thing! The children of the richest men in the town, whom their parents
had planned to surprise with the most beautiful presents had found only switches in
their shoes!
Then the old woman and the child thinking of all the riches in their chimney were filled
with fear. But suddenly they saw the priest appear, his countenance full of
astonishment. Just above the bench placed near the door of the church, in the very spot
where, the night before, a child in a white garment and with bare feet, in spite of the
cold, had rested his lovely head, the priest had found a circlet of gold imbedded in the
old stones.
Then, they all crossed themselves devoutly, perceiving that this beautiful sleeping child
with the carpenter’s tools had been Jesus of Nazareth himself, who had come back for
one hour just as he had been when he used to work in the home of his parents; and
reverently they bowed before this miracle, which the good God had done to reward the
faith and the love of a little child.

her cap with such care as she never thought of taking unless she was expecting
something very good!
Then they talked, too, of all that the Christ-Child was going to bring them, of all he was
going to put in their shoes which, you might be sure, they would take good care to leave
in the chimney place before going to bed; and the eyes of these little urchins, as lively
as a cage of mice, were sparkling in advance over the joy they would have when they
awoke in the morning and saw the pink bag full of sugar-plums, the little lead soldiers
ranged in companies in their boxes, the menageries smelling of varnished wood, and
the magnificent jumping-jacks in purple and tinsel.
Alas! Little Wolff knew by experience that his old miser of an aunt would send him to
bed supperless, but, with childlike faith and certain of having been, all the year, as good
and industrious as possible, he hoped that the Christ-Child would not forget him, and so
he, too, planned to place his wooden shoes in good time in the fireplace.
Midnight mass over, the worshippers departed, eager for their fun, and the band of
pupils always walking two and two, and following the teacher, left the church.
Now, in the porch and seated on a stone bench set in the niche of a painted arch, a
child was sleeping – a child in a white woollen garment, but with his little feet bare, in
spite of the cold. He was not a beggar, for his garment was white and new, and near
him on the floor was a bundle of carpenter’s tools.
In the clear light of the stars, his face, with its closed eyes, shone with an expression of
divine sweetness, and his long, curling, blond locks seemed to form a halo about his
brow. But his little child’s feet, made blue by the cold of this bitter December night, were
pitiful to see!
The boys so well clothed for the winter weather passed by quite indifferent to the
unknown child; several of them, sons of the notables of the town, however, cast on the
vagabond looks in which could be read all the scorn of the rich for the poor, of the wellfed
for the hungry.
But little Wolff, coming last out of the church, stopped, deeply touched, before the
beautiful sleeping child.
“Oh, dear!” said the little fellow to himself, “this is frightful! This poor little one has no
shoes and stockings in this bad weather – and, what is still worse, he has not even a
wooden shoe to leave near him to-night while he sleeps, into which the little Christ-Child
can put something good to soothe his misery.”
And carried away by his loving heart, Wolff drew the wooden shoe from his right foot,
laid it down before the sleeping child, and, as best he could, sometimes hopping,
sometimes limping with his sock wet by the snow, he went home to his aunt.

Little Gretchen and the Wooden Shoes
by Elizabeth Harrison

Once upon a time – so long ago that everybody has forgotten the date – in a city in the
north of Europe – with such a hard name that nobody can ever remember it – there was
a little seven-year-old boy named Wolff, whose parents were dead, who lived with a
cross and stingy old aunt, who never thought of kissing him more than once a year and
who sighed deeply whenever she gave him a bowlful of soup.
But the poor little fellow had such a sweet nature that in spite of everything, he loved the
old woman, although he was terribly afraid of her and could never look at her ugly old
face without shivering.
As this aunt of little Wolff was known to have a house of her own and an old woollen
stocking full of gold, she had not dared to send the boy to a charity school; but, in order
to get a reduction in the price, she had so wrangled with the master of the school, to
which little Wolff finally went, that this bad man, vexed at having a pupil so poorly
dressed and paying so little, often punished him unjustly, and even prejudiced his
companions against him, so that the three boys, all sons of rich parents, made a drudge
and laughing stock of the little fellow.
The poor little one was thus as wretched as a child could be and used to hide himself in
corners to weep whenever Christmas time came.
It was the schoolmaster’s custom to take all his pupils to the midnight mass on
Christmas Eve, and to bring them home again afterward.
Now, as the winter this year was very bitter, and as heavy snow had been falling for
several days, all the boys came well bundled up in warm clothes, with fur caps pulled
over their ears, padded jackets, gloves and knitted mittens, and strong, thick-soled
boots. Only little Wolff presented himself shivering in the poor clothes he used to wear
both weekdays and Sundays and having on his feet only thin socks in heavy wooden
shoes.
His naughty companions noticing his sad face and awkward appearance, made many
jokes at his expense; but the little fellow was so busy blowing on his fingers, and was
suffering so much with chilblains, that he took no notice of them. So the band of
youngsters, walking two and two behind the master, started for the church.
It was pleasant in the church which was brilliant with lighted candles; and the boys
excited by the warmth took advantage of the music of the choir and the organ to chatter
among themselves in low tones. They bragged about the fun that was awaiting them at
home. The mayor’s son had seen, just before starting off, an immense goose ready
stuffed and dressed for cooking. At the alderman’s home there was a little pine-tree with
branches laden down with oranges, sweets, and toys. And the lawyer’s cook had put on

Hello Deek and Merry Christmas. I have left notes and hot drinks for you but as you
know this Thread moves. LOL!

Happy Holidays and we are all wishing you the very best. 🙂

Here is some Hot Cider there is extra in case you have company.

Enjoy this special time of year. 🙂

Sheba, the Christmas program was wonderful! I had no idea that my grandson had a leading role. He was dressed in a dress shirt and tie. He was so handsome and he can sing. I was very proud of him.

I have him and my granddaughter this afternoon while their parents host a Christmas gathering. We are playing restaurant, so I will talk to you later. 🙂

Loaf, you and your husband will be in my thoughts and prayers. Happy Holidays!

Dear Loaf,
I am over the moon to see you today. I will say prayers for both of you. It is so hard. I feel for both of you. Happy Holidays to your family. ♡♡♡

Sheba,
I agree with Bassetbabe. I love it! What a surprise this morning when I saw Loaf had posted!!!!!! I was so happy! This peep wanted to say hi in the evening! I see the moon! 🙂

Hello all you lovely people! Sheba, the thread is so beautiful and sparkly for the season. Thank you for all the lovely pictures. Loaf, I am so sorry to learn about your husbands health issues. Here’s hoping he recovers swiftly and that they can get a handle on the stenosis. Prayers are on their way.

Hello Cherie!! You leave a bright and happy light wherever you go so thank you and hubby so much!

To all of you I wish you a wonderful holiday season (Merry Christmas) and a happy, healthy and safe New Year.

Merry Christmas @loaf ♥

Don’t forget me. 🙂

@bassetbabe,

So good to hear about your things being taken care of. I am so happy for you.

Enjoy your time and take care. ♥

@bassetbabe,
Can we come home with you?♥

@loaf,

I totally understand. My prayers for you and your husband. About those emails I have
never had them for any thread.

I come to Conversation Thread because I am used to doing this. Just happened to
check in and see your post. My heart goes out to you. I once read on another thread
where several people in the Community has the same problem.

Loaf I wish I were there with you. ♥ We are just so happy to see you here today.
I have kept you in my prayers and thoughts. I want you to know that. ♥

Here you go Loaf along with some warm hugs. ♥