About this tale
A poor but kind and clever wandering shoemaker helps the creatures he meets along the way: ants, ducks, and bees. When he tries to free a princess held captive by a wicked witch, his little friends repay his kindness, helping him complete three impossible tasks and defeat evil.
Narrated by Storylandia Classics Cast
Full recording: 3:58
Long, long ago, beyond seven mountains and seven forests, there lived a poor but cheerful little shoemaker.
He did not have much—a needle, some thread, a bit of leather, and a good heart. He wandered from village to village, mending people's shoes and helping whomever he could.
Helping the Ants
One day, walking along a road through the forest, the little shoemaker saw that someone had destroyed an anthill. The ants were running around frightened and did not know what to do.
"Don't worry, little ones!" said the shoemaker. "I'll help you!"
And he did—carefully, he rebuilt their little house out of leaves and earth.
The ants were overjoyed.
"Thank you, kind man! If you are ever in need, we will come to your aid!"…
