The Blue Shoe
We're teaching narrative right now, so of course, my classes are flooded with stories and fables and whatnot. The ajarn in the office across from my mine was telling us that one of her students (yes, teachers talk about their students. Gossip is rampant no matter the occupation) retold a story from the internet called The Blue Shoe. It sounded fascinating, so I looked it up. It's written by Peter Reynolds and tells the story of a single blue shoe (the illustration shoes it's a nice little blue high heel, and the story calls it "she") searching for her sole-mate (clever, eh?), and in the process, meets all sorts of footwear - none of which are blue shoes. For instance, she meets a green boot; "He was very kind to the Blue Shoe.... but he was not a blue shoe." Well, that kind of deep revelation set the story apart from the average children's tale, so I was compelled to read on. I was not disappointed. Not to give away the ending, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable story and I'd gladly recommend it to anyone as a reflection of what it's really like to look for love in the modern world. Don't be fooled by its simple language and the rhyme scheme. Hemingway wrote just like that (sans rhyme), and well...Hemingway. No other explanation for it.
To read, go to <;http://www.fablevision.com/pl...;
Final thought: I am the Blue Shoe; what about you?
posted by: saycheese (reply)
post date: 06.25.07 (7:35 am)
Just finished reading this story and I absolutely love it (since I finished downloading actually)
Sometimes we just look up too high that we couldn't notice the real happiness beside us :)
I'm just the Jimmy Choo wanna be lol
posted by: SupremeAnna (reply)
post date: 06.27.07 (10:54 pm)
Reply to: saycheese
I'm glad you liked the story. I absolutely loved the non-cliched ending :) I guess I'm a Nike, LOL. Take care
posted by: LadyG (reply)
post date: 06.28.07 (12:09 am)
I will read it later, sounds fascinating.
posted by: breathe (reply)
post date: 07.01.07 (6:53 am)
That's a nice song you got playing! I'll come back just to listen to it! :)
posted by: inkspector (reply)
post date: 07.02.07 (7:52 am)
Peter's other book, "The North Star" is great to use in a classroom for a school year. It helps students envision their future.
I also like Ish and The Dot.
Your link to the story was not working but I am familiar with the Fable Vision site. It has grown nicely over the past few years.
Peter also illustrates the Judy Moody/Stink books. They are favorites of my children.
posted by: lostin2007 (reply)
post date: 07.05.07 (10:53 pm)
i loved that story. thanks for sharing it. I coudn't get the link to work but i googled it and was able to bring it up that way.
posted by: SupremeAnna (reply)
post date: 07.08.07 (1:24 am)
Reply to: breathe
Come back anytime. :)
posted by: SupremeAnna (reply)
post date: 07.08.07 (1:25 am)
Reply to: inkspector
thank you, that sounds like a good idea. always looking for new teaching ideas :) i'm sorry the link to the story was not working.
posted by: SupremeAnna (reply)
post date: 07.08.07 (1:27 am)
Reply to: lostin2007
i'm glad you liked the story. so sorry the link was non-functional. take care :)