Children of Heaven Description

By Lizzie Cothran

The shoe, the color of a fresh sunburn, was so worn that the bow, placed gently on the toe, was beginning to look as if it were going to untie at any moment. He uses his worn hands to shakily paint glue under the sole of the shoe.
An older man uses his filthy hands to paint glue on the sole of the shoe. He steadily places the sole back into place, next to the soiled fabric. He then carefully threads a long needle and ties the tiniest of knots. A hammer is used like the beat of a drum, smooth and continuous, to strengthen the hold of the glue.
The man settles the shoe in his lap, and the threaded needle is wiggled back and forth, charging through the sole of the shoe. He does this multiple times, his hands move quickly, like lightning.
The thread is cut, and the man drums the sole of the shoe once more. Sweat drips from his face. Such a small task takes a lot of concentration.
He calmly asks the boy for pay for his job.