A Cobbler's Tale: Lessons of Kindness and Gratitude from 'The Elves and the Shoemaker'

As someone who has been in the HR and Talent Acquisition profession for years, it's hard not to admire leaders like Pat Wadors , who serves as a role model in my industry. Recently, Pat wrote a book called Unlock Your Leadership Story , which weaves life and leadership lessons through classic fables and folktales. This concept immediately resonated with me because there was one classic storybook that deeply touched me as a child: The Elves and the Shoemaker by Freya Littledale.

This story held special meaning for me, not just because of its lessons, but because it reminded me of my father. My dad is a shoemaker—also known as a "cobbler". For years, he fixed and repaired men's shoes, women's heels, handbags and pretty much anything leather in his little cobbler shop in Palo Alto, CA. His clientele included doctors, lawyers, professors, executives and professionals from all walks of life.

My dad is a soft-spoken, humble man who led a simple life, much like the shoemaker in the story. He worked long hours, toiling over intricate repairs, and as a child, I used to think he must have had elves helping him—the shop was always so full of sewing machines, dye, tools, and machinery, and the smell of leather was ever-present.

To me, this story was about my father. It wasn’t just another fairytale—it felt like a piece of my own life captured in the pages of a book. Every time we had story time at school, I would excitedly run to the reading area, pull The Elves and the Shoemaker from the shelf, and settle in to re-read it. I’d carefully examine each illustration, going page by page, as if I were reliving the scenes in my dad's workshop. The smell of leather, the sound of sewing machines humming, the rows of worn shoes waiting to be fixed and make new again—everything about the book brought back memories of watching my dad work late into the evening.

The story mirrored my dad's life in so many ways. Just like the shoemaker, my father worked quietly and tirelessly, always focused on providing the best service possible to everyone who walked through his door. As a child, I felt a deep personal connection to it, seeing my dad's work ethic, his humble demeanor, and his dedication reflected in its pages. It wasn't just a story—it was a reminder of the values my father embodied, and that made it my absolute favorite book growing up.

As I got older, I stumbled upon that same beloved book in a bookstore—the one I had first read nearly 50 years ago. Reading it again as an adult, a father, and a professional, I gained a renewed appreciation for this classic tale. The moral of The Elves and the Shoemaker, as retold by Freya Littledale, beautifully emphasizes the importance of kindness, generosity, and the power of gratitude.

In the story, the poor but hardworking shoemaker and his wife find themselves in a tough situation but never give up. Instead, they continue working with integrity. Their luck changes when mysterious elves help them by crafting shoes overnight, leading to the shoemaker’s business thriving.

What I love about the story is that the shoemaker and his wife don't just take the elves' kindness for granted. Instead, they show their appreciation by making clothes and shoes for the elves in return. This generous act mirrors the help they received, and it’s a beautiful reminder that gratitude and giving back should always be part of our lives. By acknowledging and rewarding kindness, the story shows that good deeds create a ripple effect. The shoemaker's life transforms, and the elves are also rewarded for their efforts.

The overarching lesson is one I carry with me to this day: kindness, whether given or received, should never go unnoticed. By showing gratitude and paying it forward, we contribute to a cycle of generosity and mutual success. Much like my father, who worked tirelessly to serve his community and church, the shoemaker exemplifies how hard work, humility, and appreciation can transform lives.

What made my father’s work even more special is that, in the fast-paced, high-tech world of Silicon Valley, a profession like his—a cobbler—might often go unnoticed, even invisible. Yet for years, my father continued to provide a valuable service with care and craftsmanship, earning the respect of those who visited his little cobbler shop, regardless of how wealthy or successful they were. His humility and dedication taught me that no matter how simple your profession might seem to others, your impact can be profound when you treat people with respect and serve them with integrity.

The story reminds us that when we approach life with compassion and a willingness to help others, we create positive outcomes for everyone involved. In short, the moral is clear: acts of kindness, when combined with gratitude and a generous spirit, lead to success, happiness, and fulfillment for all—and sometimes, a nice pair of polished shoes along the way :).

Thanks, Pat Wadors, for reminding us that the stories and tales we all grew up with still have meaning that we can draw from in our lives.

Edward Avila is a seasoned Talent Acquisition Executive with over three decades of experience in Silicon Valley, specializing in building high-performing teams for leading tech companies. In his debut book, Be Bullish 101 , Edward draws from his extensive corporate background to offer insider strategies that help college students and early career professionals navigate career readiness. He holds a Master’s in Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University.