The King’s Left Shoe

Theo was the palace cobbler’s young apprentice. His master repaired shoes for the nobles and, when needed, the king. But the king’s shoes barely showed any wear. Even the soles were never muddy. Everyone knew he never left the palace. One day, while checking a pair brought in for routine care, Theo found dried mud on the left shoe. He grabbed it and ran to his master. “Master! The king went outside. There’s mud on his shoe!” His master didn’t even look up. “It must have come from somewhere else, Theo. You know the king never leaves the palace.”