A SHOE PICNIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12295, 14 November 1925, Page 16

A SHOE PICNIC

“I wonder who is going out into the world to-day?” asked a big pair of new Oxfords that stood in the middle of a long row of shoes on the cupboard floor. “I hope I shall,” sang out a small pair of black patent leather pumps. “I’d like to go,” piped up a tiny pair of old Oxfords in the back of the closet. “Small chance you have,” came from the big new Oxfords. “Here I come,” said a pair of wee felt slippers with rabbits on the toes, and landed softly in the middle of the closet. : > “You ought to have all the morning: news,” said all the shoes. “Who’s going out into the world to-day?” “Well,” said the wee felt slippers with rabbits lon the toes, “just guess !” So they all guessed and guessed, and still the wee felt slippers would not tell. “No chance for us, I suppose,” came from an old pair of Oxfords in the back of the cupboard. “We have stayed here ever so long, haven’t we?” “Yes,” replied a small worn pair of the family. “We have waited a long time, but just remember what I told you,” and they whispered a secret. ’ / “That's right,” replied the old shoe friends, Tittle baby Oxford knows.” “But you are so worn, all of you,” persisted the big new Oxfords; “how could you go?” “We have our good points,” objected the old shoes. “Pardon me, but you are just a trifle out. of style,” continued the big new Oxfords. “Never mind what he says,” said the wee felt slippers with the rabbits on the toes. “You have all travelled heaps and know so much.' I think you are wondferful.” Arid presently a most, unexpected thing happened. There was a hustle, rustle, bustle in the back of the cupboard, and out came the big old Oxfords, the middle-sized old Oxfords and the little baby old Oxfords. “I declare if they aren’t going, after all!” stormed 1 the big new Oxfords. “The old worn shoes!” And they did! What a busy, happy time they’ had, for it was a day in the woods with a picnic at the lake. There was a scramble over Picnic Rocks, a run on the beach, a ride in a row boat—just everything!” When they were finally back in their cupboard home they had to answer a thousand questions. The big new Oxfords wjre amazed at all the wonderful adventures they had had, and listened with genuine interest. “I just can’t understand why they chose you folks,” the big new pair of Oxfords finally said. v “Well, you see,” explained the old shoes, “it’s like this. We have travelled so much that we are comfortable and they don’t have to be careful of us. We can go on rocks, rough places, anywhere—except to the dressed-up places where the rest of you go. We are just right for a day in the woods.” “Do you suppose if we go everywhere—pleasantly—■—” asked the big new Oxfords, “that after a while we shall be ready to go on a wonderful picnic in the woods?” “I’m sure you can,” came a chorus from the old shoes. “Won’t that be fun,” said all the new shoes eagerly. “We’U just wait our turn as the Oxfords did.” iiiaiiiii)tinsi))iiiiiii«ii>iiii!imiii)Mi)iiiiiiiiHii))iitnn)iiii)aitii)iminumtnnitmiiiitiitinniiii)iiiminniiinmniiintuiiiimiiinmmiiiimiH!nniiiiHinniiiniiiiiiiii