If The Shoe Fits

[Billy O Callaghan]

I don’t know if any contributors listened to this programme on R4 recently, but I found it compulsive listening. The solitary shoe does, indeed, often activate the imagination.

One issue discussed was intriguing and I wondered if anyone here was aware of the superstition/evil associated with a shoe found up a chimney? I got the impression that its origins appear to be eastern European, but assume it's written in ancient folklore? It was clear that the narrator didn’t feel too comfortable talking about it which made me even more curious.

[Nurse Duckett]

Billy said:

I don’t know if any contributors listened to this programme on R4 recently, but I found it compulsive listening. The solitary shoe does, indeed, often activate the imagination.

I switch the radio off more often than on these days.

However, your solitary shoe note rang a bell. In Odessa, Ukraine, about ten years ago, an old woman had things out on the pavement for sale.

A solitary shoe. The left shoe.

This seemed strange, to say the least. Was she waiting for a uniped (left leg only) to hop by? Or had another uniped (right leg) already bought the other one?

So many stories untold.

[Upsetter]

Now funny you should mention that, Nursie. I've found a wooden clog in the sand and I'm trying to see if it fits any of the ladies on the Island.

Now there's only you and Dulcinea left and I happen to know from secret sources - i.e. footsteps left in the sand - that D has a rather dainty build and foot measurement and this is a tiny little wooden clog. So small a mouse ran out as soon as I picked it up.

Anyway the reason I've come all this way is - have you got any tablets for this or am I destined to go wandering around desolate bloody Islands for the rest of my life..chasing rainbows!!

Get me £5 sunglasses, Jim Lad..its time for another long walk. I'm sure I've seen that Coconut tree some time afore ye?



...writing love le-t-t-t-e-r-s in the s-s-a-a-a-a-nd!

[moonbeam]

nurseduckett said:

I switch the radio off more often than on these days.

Is it an alarm clock, then? No? I'd take it in and get the knob fixed, Nurse.

Maybe her husband was around the corner trying to peddle the right shoe. The first one to get a sniff calls the other on the mobie.




Why do I often see just the one discarded shoe by the side of the road?

You'd think they'd either go back for it or chuck the other one out the window too. I mean, why keep the odd one?