Classic Stories: The Red Shoes
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Hello, my name's Tim. Today's story is a fairy tale with a strong moral message about vanity, the importance of staying humble, and some enchanting red shoes. We begin with a young peasant girl called Karen. She is so poor that she only has wooden shoes which wear away at her little feet, until the shoemaker's wife makes her some rough little plimsolls out of red fabric.

The first time she wears them is at her own mother's funeral. A rich old lady adopts Karen. She dislikes the red shoes, which have already worn through at the sides, and burns them, replacing them with neat black ones. It's soon time for Karen's confirmation into church, and her adoptive mother lets her buy new clothes.

Karen chooses some beautiful red leather shoes. The old lady is so blind that she doesn't notice the colour, otherwise she would never have agreed. After all, one should only dress in formal wear when in church. Throughout her confirmation, Karen thinks only of her red shoes. Others in the congregation mention their colour to her mother, and she scolds Karen.

From now on, she must only wear her black shoes to church, even if they are older and slightly worn out. The next Sunday, however, Karen cannot resist putting on the pretty red shoes again. A soldier with a long red beard offers to shine them.

What pretty dancing shoes, he exclaims, tapping them and declaring that they shall never slip off while she's dancing. The congregation wears scandalized expressions that she's in red once again. Karen is so preoccupied with the shoes that she forgets to say her prayers. Leaving the church, she impulsively tries a few dance steps. She cannot stop. It's as if the shoes are controlling her.

Eventually, the coachman has to scoop her into the carriage. Her mother's patience has worn thin. The shoes are removed and put into a cupboard. Her mother now falls gravely ill. Karen knows she should stay by her side, but she's been invited to a ball and just can't resist going. She slips on her red shoes and leaves the old lady. At the ball, the shoes take control once again.

She dances and dances and cannot stop. The excitement quickly wears off as she dances to the door and outside, through the fields and through the night, until her feet are worn down and blistered. At the church, she sees an angel holding a sword who condemns her to continue dancing until she drops dead.

Time wears on and the shoes carry her past her own front door. A coffin is being carried from the house. Her mother has died. The shoes have worn Karen out so terribly that she will do anything to be rid of them. She dances to the executioner and asks him to cut off her feet. But the shoes continue to dance, even with her severed feet still inside.

The executioner carves her some wooden feet and Karen hobbles towards church, wearing her injury as a badge of honour to show the sincerity of her repentance. However, the shoes are already at the church door, blocking her way with their grotesque dance. Next Sunday, the same thing happens. Desperate, she goes to the parson, who takes pity on her.

When he attends church the next week, she stays, fearing the shoes will still be there. She bows her weary head and prays. The angel appears once again and touches the walls of the room. Suddenly, she sees the congregation. Her room has transformed into the church.

sunlight floods in and her heart is so filled with peace and joy that it bursts. Her soul flies to heaven and the red shoes are never mentioned again. An uncomfortable ending. I suppose it can be dangerous to care too deeply about beautiful things. Hope you can join me next time for another classic story. Goodbye.

Looking for that perfect Father's Day gift? Ditch the boring polo shirts and barbecue aprons and get him something as unique as he is. Get him a Funko Pop of his very own, customized to look just like him. Whether you're shopping for your favorite fisherman, grill master, amateur golfer, or

Now sliced. Or just the world's greatest dad. We've got all the fun accessories to make your figure come to life. Build the perfect gift at Funko.com. Pop yourself. Visit Funko.com.