THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A SHOE

by Danna Shirley

Writing assignment: Rewrite a nursery rhyme.

Shoes, shoes—everywhere. I might as well live in a shoe for all the shoes I have strewn around me. My poor husband died at his cobbler’s bench putting soles on Mr. Scrooge’s shoes. He died for a few pennies that miserly old man would pay him for the good job he did. Now it is up to me to do his job as well as take care of all these children he left with me.

          Who is that coming down the road so, so slowly?

Uh, oh. Little Bo Peep just passed him by. I can imagine how worn her shoes must be after searching over hill and dale for those lost sheep. I heard she did all the searching for hers as well as that lazy Little Boy Blue who was under a haystack fast asleep.

Here he comes now, a little closer. Hurry, hurry.

Who is that marching down the street beside him. Hurrah! Here they come one by one; marching, marching, marching. I do all I can to keep their little shoes in good order but they just wear them out so quickly. Marching, marching, one by one. Hurrah!

He’s getting closer now. Oh, he’s so slow. He’ll never cross the finish line.

Oh, those mice are so blind. They don’t see anyone else on the road with them. Don’t step on my friends. I know you like to run and run from that farmer’s wife but please do be careful of my little customers. Now what can I do for you three?

I’m so busy, but I need to stop now and feed the children before slow poke arrives.

But wait. There’s a big parade coming down the street? All the king’s men and right behind them all the king’s horses pulling a cart. Poor Humpty Dumpty. He’s all pasted together with glue and scotch tape. My, oh my. I guess they’ve come for a new pair of shoes.

My little friend is almost here. I’ll give him a drink of water after being on that dusty road for so long.

Oh, that Jack. He just quickly bounded ahead of him. He’s so nimble; always jumping over things. It looks like he’s barefooted, too. I heard he burned up his shoes jumping over a candlestick. I hope he’s learned his lesson now.

 He’s almost here. Oh, no. Who just whizzed by me? I could barely see his fluffy white tail. I shouldn’t have sold him those Air Jordans. Now that poor tortoise doesn’t have a chance to win the race!