The tale of two shoes

Michael, as always when in a dilemma would go trekking. He would climb up a little mountain to see the spectacular view of the forests that lay in the heart of the city. A place where nature whispered in the wind and soothed the heart with a soft caress of solitude. Lonely that he was, he trekked up the mountain, heaving with heavy breaths, his shoes squeaking at every step.

It had been a long time since his shoes had been loyal to him. Around two years to be exact. When he picked it up from the shop, they were gleaming from the window, waiting for a person who would make them their own. They were called the He-shoe and the she-shoe.

Location: SHOE STORE

He – Shoe: Hey, look at that guy, I wish he picks us.
She – Shoe: Why, just because he has worn a Diesel t-shirt? Look at his shoes. He has hardly ever washed it. Imagine how he would keep us if he picked us up.
He-Shoe: Yes, you are right…

Days pass by

He- Shoe: Till when will we be tucked in this shop, looking out of the window, smiling at people trying to be picked up?
She-shoe: Patience He… It is better waiting to be picked by someone who will be nice to us.
He-Shoe: The purpose of our existence is to walk and keep walking. Not to be a window dressing…


One day Michael was passing by a shop. Christmas was just around the corner. Sales galore in all the shops around the streets and spectacular lighting donned the windows of the shopping mall. He went into the shop and searched for a pair of shoes. There was a sale going on. He saw a nice pair of shoes tucked on to the window dressing. He picked it up and tried it on…


He-Shoe: Hey who is this guy who has picked me up. I cant see him, She, can you see him?
She-Shoe: Don’t worry, he looks like a nice guy. His feet are clean. I think he will take care of us. Just pray we fit right on to his legs..

Michael: (to his friend) Hey this fits perfectly. I think I like this.

He-Shoe: Yes we have done it! We have been owned.
She-Shoe: Finally we have got a home, isn’t it sweetheart?
He-Shoe: Yes indeed.

As they were packed into the shoebox, they snuggled with each other. They felt content, full of Hope not knowing what their future would hold.

The shoes were very comfortable. They used to hug and caress his feet as he strode down the alleys in the few early mornings that he used to jog. Later the jogging stopped and once in a while, he used to climb the mountain nearby that bordered on a forest nearby. That day, when the monsoon had just ended, on top of the mountain, the grass was green laid out like a carpet and the soothing wind that made him feel like he was in paradise. He removed the shoes to feel the grass below.

He-Shoe: Isn’t this a beautiful place?
She-Shoe. Yes indeed.
He-Shoe: I used to have nightmares while I was in the shop. What would it be in the world outside? Inside the shop, it was so cold, neatly placed, with hardly any dust. But now even though I am allergic to dust, it is so wonderful to be to different places.
She-Shoe: Yes.. Remember, the other day when Michael was watching the film.. Forrest Gump. I heard somebody say, ‘The shoes tell a lot about you. Places that you have been and thinks like that.’
He-Shoe: Isn’t it nice to be a shoe? We make so much difference to people’s lives.
She-Shoe: Yes it is. And today is the most beautiful day in my life.
He-shoe: I am so happy, I have these moments to share with you.

That day the sunset was the most beautiful. Everything was so perfect. Michael felt at peace with himself. Later as it became night, he started climbing down the hill. From that place above, he could see the entire city lit up like jewels scattered around. The light of the city reflected on the rocks that paved the way down. In the partial darkness, he twisted his ankle and his shoe brushed with a sharp rock. He reached down limping and caught a rickshaw back home.

Many days passed by. Living in a city, the usual paths became the ones he took from his work to home and the reverse. Life started getting monotonous. And one day, for a change, he decided to meet a friend. It was a long time that they had met. In fact he had nurtured secret feelings for this girl, but he was very scared to tell her.

He-shoe: Hey finally has wiped us clean. Looks like there is something special about today.
She-shoe: I was wishing so much that he cleaned us. I have been praying to God everyday. Finally my prayers have been answered.
He-Shoe: Today is something special, I don’t know what it is, but I am sure about it.
She-Shoe: I wish every day was special like today.

That day was indeed special. They went for a drive and spoke till it was late in the night. That night as he dropped her home, he told her what he felt about her. She smiled and left. As she entered her home, she turned and waved goodbye. Later sitting alone in the car, Michael cried silently. There was no one around in the stillness of the night. He could not imagine a life without her. She was the only girl with whom Michael felt so complete. The only time he was truly himself was when he was with her alone.

He-Shoe: So Michael has found love, isn’t it?
She-Shoe: She is a nice girl. I think it will work out
He-Shoe: I don’t know… if she loved him why didn’t she say anything?
She-shoe: It is a girl thing you know. A good girl will never say yes on the first proposal.
He-shoe: Why?
She-shoe: It is like that, that is why. Probably, because you guys don’t have the value of things which you get so easily.
He-Shoe: You women are impossible! You women love to complicate things, don’t you?
She-Shoe: It is not complication, it is sophistication.
He-Shoe: Sophistication my foot!
She-Shoe: You ARE the foot!

Time flew by. Seasons changed. Michael’s life was in doldrums. The girl was marrying someone else. On that day, he decided to trek to the top of the mountain. He wore his old shoes. It was torn in more than one place. It was time to change them. It was the law of nature, the old gives way to the new. With heaviness in his heart, he trekked up the mountain. His shoes squeaked. He started gasping for breath. It was indeed a long time since he had climbed this mountain. Step by step he forced himself to the top. As he almost reached the top, he heard a tearing sound. The sole had separated from the shoe. He removed them and kept it aside as he went ahead to the stone that donned the peak of the mountain. He outstretched his arms as the wind caressed him. The wind spit below his arms as if it was holding him. He closed his eyes. He saw her eyes.

He-Shoe: Are you alright?
She-Shoe: I am torn completely. I am of no use!
He-Shoe: Don’t say that. Accidents happen.
She-shoe: No, I am of no use. Look at me… I am a disaster. He is going to throw me.
He-Shoe: You know something? There is one thing that is the best for shoes like us.
She-shoe (sobbing): What is that?
He-Shoe: Look at him. He is standing there dejected. He has nobody with him. God made everybody in pairs, but for humans, He makes humans search for true love. Look at Michael, he is all alone. We are not. We are together. We were made in pairs. If you are torn and thrown away, I am of no use. I will be thrown away too. We are of use only when we are together and we are of no use when we are separate.
She-shoe: (sobbing) I guess you are right!
He-Shoe: So no matter what, we will be together, till death do us apart.
She-Shoe: I am so glad we are made this way. Look at the sunset. I wish we were here till the end of our lives.
He-shoe: Isn’t this the most beautiful place on earth?
She-shoe: I think this is a beautiful place, but what makes it even more beautiful is that you are there along with me…

It was a nice evening. In the loneliness, Michael spoke loudly to himself. It was time to accept change. It was time to change, for the better. It was time to rethink about his life. It was time to leave old things behind. He left his shoes on the mountain. The path down the hill was rocky. He cut himself against the sharp rocks. But the pain was lesser than the pain he had in his heart. With hope in his heart, he trudged on…

He-Shoe: I think your prayers have been answered again.
She-Shoe: Yes, isn’t it so nice? The rest of our retired life in this beautiful place…