In a large, beautifully carved wooden wardrobe belonging to a collector, lived various types of shoes, each with its own pattern and color. They lived in harmony and peace. Mutual respect and appreciation were deeply ingrained in their culture. There were no squabbles, arguments, let alone fights. They firmly upheld the principles passed down through generations. Envy, malice, arrogance, and haughtiness were far removed from the lives of these shoes. Perhaps that's why the atmosphere in our shoe storage always felt so calm and peaceful.
But alas, that simple life began to be threatened. The arrival of a new pair of shoes was the cause. They were indeed very sweet, beautiful, and pleasing to the eye. Just look at their white color with blue accents on the front and sides! So harmonious. Not to mention their sporty shape, with so many variations of patterns and carvings here and there. The material was high-quality leather, not easily torn and resistant to all types of weather. When worn, they surely felt soft and comfortable, as the inside was lined with thick foam and covered with stitched waterproof fabric. Truly perfect. But apparently, all their advantages only made them arrogant and conceited. Every day, their only activity was chattering and boasting about their perfection. Not only that, but they also enjoyed mocking and insulting other shoes they deemed uglier than themselves. Everyone was sure to be subjected to their ridicule.
"Hey, you old, worn-out boot, wearing you must be really uncomfortable, right? Heavy, noisy, stuffy, making feet sweat! Your shape is truly unattractive. What's so good about that long, wide upper part? Even rabbit ears look better."
The one being mocked merely smiled. The Boot was indeed known for being friendly and patient. "Hehehe, you're new, so you don't know much yet. Even though my shape is like this, I have rendered many services to our owner. I always accompany him across rivers, through forests, and exploring dangerous places. You should know that my strength has been proven and tested. I protect my owner from mud, thorny grass, and foreign objects that could harm him."
"Oh, no wonder you always look dirty and dusty, plus you smell! Ugh, disgusting! Why would my master put me with this old, shabby
and filthy thing?"
"Don't say that!" Space, the running shoe, spoke up.
"No matter what, he is our elder. We must respect him. He has provided many services to our master."
"Shut up, you! You'd better worry about your own worn-out fabric cover. Pathetic. And those spikes underneath you, truly terrifying. Anyone would immediately turn away if they saw you," Now the new shoe turned to insult Space.
"Hey, watch your mouth! I was made and designed this way, according to my function and purpose. And I am quite proud, because it was thanks to me that our master's child managed to win medals and trophies in various running championships he participated in. My simple and straightforward shape actually makes it easier and lighter for my wearer, allowing him to run like the wind. The spikes on the front of my sole are not dangerous at all. In fact, they help prevent unwanted incidents, such as falling or slipping, for example. Because these spikes firmly grip the track, whether its surface is dirt or rubber," Space said passionately.
Hearing that explanation only made the Arrogant one laugh very loudly. "Hahahaha, how could anyone wearing you run like the wind? Just seeing you, people would surely have doubts. What if your laces come undone? What if your thin upper fabric suddenly tears? What if your spikes suddenly come off or you misstep? They wouldn't think twice about throwing you away. Hahaha!"
"Insolent, you rude newcomer! Just because you look good doesn't mean you can insult others as you please! I'll..." Space was so angry that he ran out of words.
"Enough, enough, just let him be! He talks like that because he's never been exposed to the outside world. Once he's taken out and brought outside, he'll surely change his mind." The Old Boot tried to mediate.
"No! Let me teach this bigmouth a lesson! Let him learn how to appreciate others. Hey, arrogant brat! Come here, I'll tear your delicate body to shreds. I'll turn that beautiful shape into something irregular. So you'll know what it feels like, and you won't be able to boast anymore."
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Space flew towards the new inhabitant. Its sharp spikes were aimed directly at the new shoe's slender body. The new shoe realized the impending danger. It tried to move and evade Space's attack. But to its left, a pair of loafers were ready to block. Meanwhile, to its right, a pair of ballet rollers had suddenly appeared from nowhere. And in front and behind it, it was blocked by the wardrobe wood. It was so terrified, realizing it was trapped.
"HEEEELP!!!!!!" With its remaining courage, it tried to call for help. But apparently, no one was willing to assist it.
CRASH!!!!! CRASH!!
Loud and tumultuous noises were heard from inside the shoe cabinet, waking the collector who was sound asleep. He wondered to himself, "What's happening? Could it be rats? But that's impossible. This cabinet is rat-free."
With curiosity and concern, the collector rose from his bed. He approached his beloved cabinet. He turned the key that had been inserted into the lock while the commotion was still audible from within.
CRASSSSHHHHHH!!!!!!
His heart felt like it stopped at the sight of what had happened. Like a powerful explosion. Dozens of shoes came tumbling out of their places. And they
all headed in one direction, straight towards him. The shoes attacked him.
Oh no! Fortunately, the collector, owner of those shoes, quickly dodged. Otherwise, he might have stumbled and fallen backward, with his chest and stomach crushed by dozens of pairs of shoes. And the sight now was truly unexpected. The shoes fell right in front of the collector's toes. The new shoe, the cause of all the chaos, was seen peeking out from under the other shoes. It looked in pain, its entire body dented and flattened, unable to bear the weight on top of it.
* * *
The events of last night left the Collector bewildered. In almost twenty years of collecting, he had never encountered any commotion among the shoes. He had inspected every corner of the storage cabinet but found not a single millimeter of a hole. Indeed, the cabinet had been specially designed to perfectly protect its contents. Let alone rats, not even an ant could possibly penetrate the nearly fifteen-centimeter thick teak wood.
"The cause must be among those shoes." The collector tried to analyze.
"There must be one among them that their friends dislike. But who? They have always been harmonious and peaceful until the arrival of that new shoe," This last sentence startled him; he suddenly jumped up and stood from his seated position.
"Yes! That must be the cause. The presence of that new shoe, whatever it did, clearly made its friends hate it."
"Very well then." The collector got up and walked towards the cabinet where his shoe collection was stored.
"If it is indeed the cause, I will separate that new shoe from the others." He said, opening the cabinet door and taking the beautiful shoe from its place.
* * *
"Yay! Kiki got new shoes. Look, Mom, aren't they nice?" Kiki said, showing the new shoes to her mother, who just smiled.
"Come on, what do you say to Uncle?"
"Thank you, Uncle." Kiki said, hugging the uncle who had given her the shoes.
"You're welcome, Kiki." The uncle said with a smile. In his heart, he was grateful, feeling he had made the right decision regarding one of his collections.
* * *
Now the arrogant new shoe passed into Kiki's hands. Kiki was very happy to receive the gift from her uncle. She couldn't wait for tomorrow, to go to school with her new shoes.
* * *
The next day, Kiki became the center of attention among her friends. Everyone was amazed by the shoes Kiki was wearing. Various questions were thrown at her: Where did she get those beautiful shoes? How much did they cost? And so on.
"I didn't buy these shoes at all. My uncle gave them to me." Kiki replied with a sense of pride.
"Wow, how nice to have a kind uncle like yours," commented one of her friends.
"Yeah, my dad rarely gives me gifts. You're really lucky," another friend chimed in.
Kiki just smiled broadly, hearing the admiring praises from her friends. In her heart, she thought, "It seems no child is as lucky as I am."
So, what about the shoes Kiki was wearing? Apparently, they became even more arrogant. In class, during lessons, the shoes kept chattering incessantly.
"Hey friends! Wow, it's great to meet you all. But why do you all look so dirty and ugly? What a pity. Look at me, no matter the situation, I always look beautiful and amazing, don't I?"
"Oh, don't be so arrogant! Even if we look ugly, we are very useful. We have helped those who wear us achieve their accomplishments. We enable people to run fast, make their feet comfortable, and protect them from various dirt and dangerous things. Do you see the person wearing me? He is the top student in class. More than that, thanks to me, he became the captain of his club's football team, and you should know, the team led by this boy always wins every match." Replied one of the insulted shoes.
The beautiful but arrogant shoe scoffed, "How is that possible? Nothing is stronger than me."
"Alright, we'll see about that." Said the shoe worn by the class champion.
* * *
In the afternoon, a group of children was seen heading towards the grassy field behind the school. They looked very dashing in their football uniforms. But the most impressive among them was Kiki. Yes, Kiki with his new shoes. With the style of a war commander, he strode, leading his friends who walked behind him. Don't be surprised! Today, Kiki was appointed captain in the match against the school from the neighboring village.
"See, my wearer has already been appointed captain of the team, and nothing has even happened yet." The new shoe continued to boast about its greatness.
"Don't boast yet, your wearer was appointed captain because the actual captain is suffering from a knee injury and cannot play this afternoon." Replied the football boot, which happened to be right behind it.
"That's right, and now show us if you're really as great as you boast," another supported.
"Alright, we'll see later. And don't be surprised if I score many goals," Kiki's shoe continued to boast.
The long-awaited time arrived. All the children, both players and supporters from each team, had gathered. The referee blew the whistle, signaling the start of the first half. Kiki's team appeared to be attacking fiercely.
"Come on, friends, let's go! Don't give them a chance to attack!" Kiki shouted as he ran across the green field.
While his teammates were busy assaulting the opponent's defense, Kiki's team still controlled the ball. They exchanged passes, made through balls, and dribbled. But Kiki still hadn't gotten the ball. He ran towards the penalty box. And when he was a few centimeters free from the penalty box, the ball came hurtling towards him at high speed. Without thinking twice, Kiki immediately kicked the ball towards the goal. But...
"Ouch, it huuurts!!!!" The shoe he was wearing screamed in pain just as Kiki struck the front of the shoe against the round ball. The result was truly unexpected. The ball rolled very slowly and, of course, was easily caught by the opposing goalkeeper. Meanwhile, Kiki fell backward with his feet facing the goalpost.
Everyone witnessing the incident could no longer hold back their laughter. With loud voices, they jeered mockingly.
"Hahahaha! What's wrong, Kiki? Are your shoes too heavy?"
With a flushed face, Kiki tried to get up and stand on his feet again. But just as he managed to straighten his knees, the ball came again from the left corner of the field towards him. Kiki spontaneously tried to control it. However, it seemed the shoes he was wearing couldn't cooperate. The shoes seemed afraid to collide with the ball again.
"No, no, don't, it huuurts!!!!!!!!" The shoe screamed in fear. But Kiki kept trying to get up and kick the ball. However, the shoes he was wearing felt so heavy. And finally, before his toes could even touch the ball, Kiki fell again. This time, face down, pinning the ball.
Laughter echoed again, filling every corner of the field, "Ha Ha Ha!!! Kiki, just take off your shoes! They seem afraid of the ball."
Without a second thought, Kiki ran to the sideline and took off his shoes. Grumbling, he simply tossed the shoes aside.
"Huh, cheap shoes! Just embarrassing me. Absolutely no cooperation."
Kiki finally returned to the field barefoot. Meanwhile, the abandoned shoe looked relieved. "Phew, thank goodness! Luckily, I was quickly put aside, otherwise, my body would have been crushed by that hard, round object."
But, just a few seconds after the shoe enjoyed its relief, a dog appeared heading towards it. With full curiosity, it sniffed the shoe with its nose. Not only that, the dog even stuck out its tongue and licked the front of the shoe.
"Hey, ugly animal, don't you dare! How dare you dirty my beautiful body with your smelly breath. Go! Go! Goooooo!!!!" The shoe screamed, telling the dog to leave.
But instead of leaving, the dog directed its claws towards the shoe. And a few moments later, a horrifying sight was revealed. The dog tore, scratched, and bit the shoe until it was shapeless. After it was satisfied, the dog walked away.