Patent Leather Shoes
I wrote the book Patent Leather Shoes because it was an important life lesson from my own childhood as well as directly related to my career as a footwear designer. It is meant to be read by a preschooler just beginning kindergarten or an adult with memories of a similar experience wearing specific shoes for special occasions.
Everyday I wore the same pair of shoes to school. They were part of my uniform. The laces were black with white flecks.
One day when I was getting dressed, I noticed a box in the closet that was rarely opened. Today I decided to open it and look at my shiny pair of patent leather shoes. They had a silver buckle as shiny as the leather and small heels. I was only meant to wear them on special occasions. I heard my mother calling me and quickly put them back in the box. I put on my shoes with the white flecked laces and went to school.
The next day I took out the box again, but this time I decided to put the patent leather shoes on. They were so pretty. I walked around the room, the heels clicked on the floor. I felt so good in these shoes and wished I could wear them to school.
The following day I asked my mother if I could wear the beautiful shoes to school. "No," she said plainly. "They are only for special occasions." This, I already knew.
The very next day I decided I wanted to wear the shoes to school because I had a special occasion. Today I had to stand in front of the class and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
So I put on the shoes and tip toed down the hallway into the kitchen until I was finally outside on the grass and the shoes no longer made the clicking sound on the floor.
At school I felt so proud in my shiny shoes. My teacher even noticed and smiled approvingly. When I walked back to my desk, I barely noticed the clicking sound on the floor.
At the end of the class I learned I received an 'A' for doing so well on the assignment. I was so excited I forgot the shoes on my feet until I got home and my mother said, "I thought I told you those shoes were only for special occasions. Take them off and get ready for dinner."
"But it was a special occasion." I pleaded. "I recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the class and received an 'A' for my work. I know it was because of my shoes." That is wonderful news darling, but I think you received an 'A' because you studied and practiced." Mother said kindly. "Now get ready for dinner."
I walked back to my room. The shoes clicked proudly down the long hallway. I put my shoes in their box, back to their place in the closet where they would be waiting for their next special occasion.
