C is for City-Saving Cobbler (Shoemaker) vs. Dragon

We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is Finding Resilience & Strength through Traditional Tales.

City-Saving Cobbler (Shoemaker)-

From Poland

Yes, there is a difference between a cobbler and a shoemaker.

A cobbler fixes shoes while a shoemaker constructs the whole shoe. Often, a cobbler is also a shoemaker. In the versions I read, I saw shoemaker. Though, considering that he can “fix” shoes as well as “fix” and save a city, I loved the idea of promoting the cobbler.

Can you find cobblers today? Absolutely.

It appears to be at least 7,000 who call themselves cobblers within the United States. Not a big number yet larger than I would expect. I was thrilled to see this number.

If you wish to add another word to your vocabulary, a shoemaker is sometimes called a cordwainer.

As for Warsaw, Poland, it was known as the shoemaking capitol of the world. Wow! After World War II, that status changed. Still impressive.

50-word-or-less summary:

King builds dream-city. Found egg. Still build. Dragon born! Destruction! King offers reward to whoever can get rid of dragon. Many try. Then Cobbler/Shoemaker volunteers. Sewed fake sheep. Asked for sulfur. Shared with Cobbler. Presented by cave then ran back. Dragon swallowed. Ka-boom! Cobbler wishes for dragon skin. Made shoes.

Finding the Story: 

Book “The Dragon of Krakow and other Polish Stories” with Story – here

“Legend about Wawel Dragon” with different versions/variants – here

Fascinating piece at The World of Shoes website – here

Wikipedia on Wawel Dragon – here

Finding Resilience & Strength:

Now I want to sew a fake sheep. But not filled with sulfur. That kind of project already would need resilience and strength.

I love how the cobbler/shoemaker wished to help the king and everyone else. Plenty of soldiers would have volunteered. The cobbler used the skills he had of sewing. He still asked for help in one of the ingredients: sulfur. Being strong is knowing when you can do certain parts and when other parts need to be shared by others.

I respect that the cobbler did not want much of a reward except the dragon skin so he could make shoes from them. Ponder that a bit. Resilient. Strong. Phenomenal.

Here’s an article from Payne Resilience Training & Consulting called “We All Need Help. Here’s How to Ask” to explore mental health and strategies.

Please share thoughts in the comments. While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings. See quick list of programs here.

As for our past A to Z Challenges…

While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has been resilient and strong during these past years and looks forward to the next hybrid summit & festival on May 8-11, 2023. We would be honored for you to join us. Explore the schedule and register here: http://www.storycrossroads.org/Festival

Thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Western States Arts Federation; Utah Division of Arts and Museums/Utah Legislature; Utah Humanities; City of Murray; Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) of Salt Lake County; Salt Lake City Arts Council; Ashton Family Foundation; and people like you.