One night ... Conversation of Shoemaker and his wife:
"I should like to sit up to-night to see who it is that
makes the shoes." They sat up. Two Elves ran in, sewed,
rapped, and tapped, and ran away when the shoes were
made.

Day after ... Conversation. "These Elves made us rich.
I should like to do something for them. You make each
of them a little pair of shoes, and I will make them
each a little shirt, a coat, a waistcoat, trousers, and
a pair of stockings."

Christmas Eve ... Finished shoes and clothes put on the
table. Shoemaker and Wife hid in the corner of the room
behind clothes, and watched. (Climax.)

Elves came in and put on clothes.

3. _Conclusion_.

Happy end. Elves danced and sang,--

"Smart and natty boys are we,
Cobblers we'll no longer be."

Shoemaker and Wife became happy and prosperous.

The characters of this tale are usual, a poor Shoemaker and his Wife;
and unusual, the dainty Elves who made shoes in a twinkling. But the
commonplace peasants become interesting through their generosity,