New Shoes
I wished there was more I could do for the old man as he walked the streets.
His shoes worn and weathered, being held together with sticky tape.
I wanted to take him to the nearest shoe shop, but would they be willing to help?
He claimed he didn’t need a new pair, as they wouldn’t last as long as these had.
He didn’t have time to break in some new shoes; he had many more miles to travel before he reached his destination.
I lead him to the shoe shop all the same, hoping to find a perfect fit.
copyright Anom
The piece above was written as part of Friday Fictioners, which I have sadly not taken part in for a while. A Big thank you as always goes to Rochelle for hosting :).
Want to take part join us HERE
A Story About A Girl 
But it’s so hard to give up the familiar.
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Thank you
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Nice.. sometimes it is just hard to someone to give up what they are comfortable with. 😉
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Thank you
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Perhaps he knows that a pair of new shoes is not the answer to whatever his troubles are. Nicely written.
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Thank you
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Sweet story – I hope he lets her buy him a new pair of shoes.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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But the old ones conform perfectly to the shape of his feet!
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It’s hard for us to understand the attitude that doesn’t want new but the argument of the old ones being comfortable and the new needing wearing in is an understandable one if we think about it logically. In situations like this it’s hard not to inflict our values on others. I thought you covered this concept brilliantly
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Thank you x shoes are so cheaply made these days they probably would of lasted half as long
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I don’t think a new pair of shoes is what he wants or even needs. But credit to the narrator for trying.
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Dear Claire,
Her heart’s in the right place. Perhaps she’ll buy him a meal as well as new shoes. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Perhaps his shoes were the only friends he had. Nice one Claire.
My FriFic tale is called Jim and Jan!
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Thank you
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Nicely written.
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Thanks
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Change is sometimes difficult. And sometimes the old ways are best…. nicely written.
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I like the compassion of this story. I hope the narrator can find a way of helping the homeless man.
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Nice sentiments in this.
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Thank yoy
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Old, comfortable shoes are like old friends – you hate giving them up.
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This is lovely and thoughtful.
The push and pull of giving and receiving is not so simple.
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Nice good Samaritan! Just when you break in a pair of shoes, they start to look tired and worn. Good story!
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Thanks x
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Dignity, pride and independence are precious possessions.
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