Notes From Public School - Day 109

Sometimes, I look and listen for metaphors for teaching and writing.

Here is one I wrote.

It gets to the essence of what teaching and writing are to me.

The Cobbler

Hello.

My name is Elias. 

I’m a cobbler, a maker and mender of shoes. 

“All God’s children got shoes,” says the old spiritual. 

It’s true. 

When you wear a hole in the sole, or split out the side or scuff the leather, I’ll help you.

When your shoes look old and worn, I’ll help you.

I’ll polish the leather until it shines like new again. 

I’ll sew the rips and tears so your feet will stay warm and dry. 

I’ll mend them if you’ll let me.

If you’re too busy to stay with me, you can leave them and come back tomorrow and pick them up. 

Or you can rock here in my rocking chair and watch me as I work. 

I take my time because I want to do a good job.

You don’t have to talk with me.

You can just rock and listen to the tap-tap-tapping of my mallet and the stitch-stitch-stitching of my needle and the brush-brush-brushing of my cloth upon the shoes. 

You can rock and talk to me about the things on your mind and in your heart. 

It’s okay. 

I like to listen while I work. 

I want to hear your stories. 

If you’re quiet for a while, I’ll start to talk about people I’ve known and places I’ve been and things I’ve done in my life. 

I’ve spent most of my days here at my workbench alone with the shoes.

It’s good to have someone listen to my stories.

Thank you.