Invention of the shoe

Sham S.Misri

A legend tells that long ago there lived a king in Madhya Pradesh, India. His name was Raja Bhim Singh. He was illiterate but clever and ruled with authority. The king was very fond of hunting.

One day it so happened that while Raja Bhim Singh was on one of his favourite hunting missions, a big thorn pierced into his foot. Raja Bhim Singh's foot bled. The courters were upset to see the king’s foot bleeding. They quickly removed the thorn, dressed up the wound and bandaged the king’s foot. Immediately thereafter, the courtiers suggested to the king that leather be spread over the roads and streets through which the king would move so that the same sad episode was not repeated.

The king readily agreed. A royal decree was issued that leather be spread on all the roads and streets over which the king used to walk.

The work of draping the roads and streets with leather began in full swing.

All the leather stocks in the kingdom got exhausted. When the news reached the king, he ordered   that all the animals be slaughtered to get more leather. Although the people felt outraged at this foolish order of the king, they felt helpless. Soon the stock of the domestic animals of the kingdom was exhausted. This was followed by killing wild animals so much so that even the forest was depleted of the animals.

          As luck would have it, the king’s spiritual priest happened to visit the city. This was done at the intervention of the people. On seeing the roads having been draped with leather he enquired about the reason there for. The king’s priest was informed about the thorn episode. Realising the king’s folly, he atone set for the Raj Mahal, the King’s palace.

 The king received his priest with open arms and after welcome formalities were over, the priest initiated the discussion about the huge loss of the animals and the consequences that would follow.

The king proudly told him that this had been done So that no thorn would ever harm, his feet again. In the heart of his hearts the high priest pitied the king. He thought for a while and then in a serious tone he told the king about the foolishness of the whole idea that was going to affect the very survival of the people. The priest came out with a suggestion and it was that the king would cover his feet with two small patches of leather, one each foot, to prevent them from any injury. This led to the birth of a shoe. Over the period of time many designs of the shoe came into form.