The Red Shoes

Karen was a poor but beautiful girl who, after the death of her mother, was adopted by a wealthy old lady. Despite her good fortune, Karen was filled with vanity. She tricked her blind benefactress into buying her a pair of bright red leather shoes, which were strictly forbidden for church. When Karen wore them to her confirmation, she could think of nothing but her feet. Outside the cathedral, a mysterious soldier with a red beard struck the soles of her shoes, remarking they were 'fine dancing shoes.' Suddenly, Karen’s feet began to twitch. She found herself dancing uncontrollably through the streets, over fields, and into the dark woods. The shoes were enchanted and refused to let her rest. They grew to her skin, forcing her to dance through thorns and briars day and night. Exhausted and terrified, Karen found an executioner and begged him to strike off her feet with his axe. He did so, and the shoes danced away into the forest with her feet still inside them. Karen spent the rest of her life in humble service and deep repentance, eventually finding peace when an angel finally welcomed her soul into heaven.