The Shoe Breaker, Katya, Looking for a Rain God, The School, The Fifth Story Summary

Daniel Boulanger's The Shoe Breaker begins with the owner of a cobbler's shop awaiting the arrival of a pompous Baron, whose shoes are being broken in by Pinceloup. Pinceloup, a poor man, has the gift of being able to work out the stiffness of a customer's new shoes so that they fit like a well-worn pair. Pineloup is running late when the impatient baron arrives. The Owner entertains the Baron for a time until Pinceloup arrives with the shoes. They are transferred to the Baron's feet. Pinceloup is dejected; breaking in the Baron's shoes took all day, and the breaker's feet are calloused and bleeding. He thinks he is losing his touch. The Owner cheers him and...