The Elves (Grimm)
Short summary
A poor shoemaker had leather for only one pair of shoes. After cutting the leather one evening, he went to bed. In the morning, he found the shoes perfectly finished. A buyer paid extra for them, allowing the shoemaker to buy more leather. This pattern continued nightly - whatever he cut in the evening was completed by morning. His business prospered. One Christmas eve, the shoemaker and his wife stayed awake to discover their mysterious helpers. At midnight, two naked little elves appeared and skillfully crafted the shoes. Grateful for their help, the couple made tiny clothes and shoes for the elves. The next night, when the elves found the gifts instead of leather,
They dressed themselves with the greatest rapidity, putting the pretty clothes on, and singing, 'Now we are boys so fine to see, Why should we longer cobblers be?' Then they danced and skipped and leapt over chairs and benches.
They never returned, but the shoemaker remained prosperous.
Detailed summary by stories
Story titles are editorial.
Story 1. The shoemaker and the helpful elves
A poor shoemaker had fallen into such dire circumstances that he possessed only enough leather to make one final pair of shoes. Through no fault of his own, he faced complete destitution.
A shoemaker, by no fault of his own, had become so poor that at last he had nothing left but leather for one pair of shoes... he lay down quietly in his bed, commended himself to God, and fell asleep.
In the evening, he carefully cut out the leather pieces for the shoes he planned to complete the following morning. With a clear conscience, he retired to bed and slept peacefully. When he awoke and prepared to begin his work, he discovered something miraculous had occurred during the night.
In the morning... the two shoes stood quite finished on his table. He was astounded, and knew not what to say to it... they were so neatly made that there was not one bad stitch in them, just as if they were intended as a masterpiece.
The craftsmanship was so exquisite that a customer immediately purchased the shoes for more than the usual price. With this money, the shoemaker bought leather for two pairs of shoes. Again, he cut out the pieces in the evening, and again found them completed by morning. This pattern continued night after night, with buyers eagerly purchasing each perfectly crafted pair. Soon the shoemaker regained his financial independence and eventually became wealthy.
Shortly before Christmas, curiosity overcame the shoemaker and his wife. They decided to stay awake and discover who was providing this mysterious assistance. The wife lit a candle, and they concealed themselves behind hanging clothes in a corner of the room to observe.
At midnight, they witnessed an extraordinary sight. Two small, naked men appeared, sat at the shoemaker's table, and began working with incredible skill and speed. Their tiny fingers moved so deftly that the shoemaker could not look away in amazement. They worked tirelessly until every piece was complete, then quickly departed.
Story 2. The servant girl and seven years with elves
A hardworking servant girl maintained her employer's house with diligence, sweeping daily and disposing of refuse on a large heap outside the door. One morning, she discovered a letter on this pile of sweepings. Unable to read, she brought the mysterious correspondence to her master and mistress for interpretation.
The letter contained an invitation from elves, requesting the girl to serve as godmother at a child's christening. Though uncertain, she was persuaded that refusing such an invitation would be improper. Three elves arrived to escort her to their dwelling within a hollow mountain.
Everything there was small, but more elegant and beautiful than can be described. The baby's mother lay in a bed of black ebony ornamented with pearls, the coverlids were embroidered with gold, the cradle was of ivory, the bath of gold.
The girl fulfilled her role as godmother and wished to return home, but the elves entreated her to remain three days. She agreed and spent the time in pleasure and celebration. When she finally departed, the elves filled her pockets with money and led her from the mountain. Upon reaching home, she encountered strangers who questioned her identity and purpose. To her shock, what she believed had been three days was actually seven years, during which her former employers had died.
Story 3. The changeling and the stolen child
A distraught mother discovered that elves had stolen her infant from its cradle, leaving in its place a changeling with an enormous head and staring eyes that did nothing but consume food and drink. Seeking help, she consulted her neighbor for advice on this terrible situation.
The neighbor instructed her to carry the changeling to the kitchen, place it on the hearth, light a fire, and boil water in two eggshells. This strange ritual would make the changeling laugh, and if it did so, all would be resolved. Following these directions precisely, the woman began boiling water in the eggshells. The changeling was amazed by this sight and exclaimed about its great age and experience, yet never having witnessed such an unusual cooking method. As it began to laugh at the spectacle, a host of little elves suddenly appeared, retrieved the real child, placed it safely on the hearth, and carried away their changeling.