My life began in a big shoe factory. I was made with the highest quality of material. Day in and day out, workers worked on me, making me a masterpiece. I was happy and proud of myself. I could not wait to get out of this factory.

Soon the day finally arrived when I was to be transported out of this factory. After working the details on me, I was given a final polish, cleaned and was placed in a box. The box was then sealed and I, along with other shoes in boxes, were put in a big red truck.

I was excited, but nervous too. I was not sure where I would be taken. After a long, bumpy ride, the truck came to a halt and I just stood there, waiting to be taken out after a very long time. After, what seemed to be like eternity, the doors of the truck opened and I was carefully taken out. I was lined-up with other boxes in an unknown place, which was buzzing with people. Kids were running in all directions and everyone seemed excited.

Later, I found out that this place was a shop in a big mall, and seeing everyone having such a wonderful time, I started to feel excited as well. I felt as if I had come to the right place. I wanted to enjoy my time here like everyone else was doing.

The shop I was in had a very nice display section. I was kept near the window. I liked this shop very much. Through the shop window, I could see people walk by, visiting different shops, buying things for themselves and their families. I also saw kids running around, some laughing, some crying for their parents’ attention. Others had gloomy faces as they could not get the things that they wanted so badly. Every once in a while, some children would stop by and look at me longingly. At those moments, I would feel even more proud of myself for being so beautiful and perfect.

Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. I was still at the same shop, in the same place. I was starting to get tired of my daily routine. I felt bored. I now wanted to get out of the place that I once loved.

‘There has to be more to my life than just sitting around here all day,’ I kept saying to myself. I was made for a purpose and until I play my part in fulfilling that, I will never achieve true satisfaction.

However, there was little that I could do but pray that my days here would be numbered. I prayed everyday and hoped that someday, someone would take me home and expose me to a life more amazing than this. A week later, my prayers were answered, a little boy and his mother came to the store. As soon as he laid his eyes on me, the little boy decided that he wanted me. I was finally purchased and was going to be someone’s shoes!

And here I am today, on a shoe rack of this lovely home. The boy calls me his running shoes. He has quite a lot of shoes, but he chooses me every time he has to go for a run. Party shoes and school shoes are my best friends now. They tell me that the boy feels most comfortable when he puts me on. And it makes me really happy. Causal sandals hardly stay on the rack. Their work is more exhausting as they have to be on the run every time. I am friends with then too, but we hardly get together.

I am not as perfect as I used to be. My colour has faded, my laces are dirty and I am not as attractive as I used to be, but I am still very happy. In fact, I am happier than ever and even prouder of myself than I used to be because I provide comfort to this little boy. I have helped him win races, marathons and, most importantly, I have helped him reach places that would have been impossible for him to reach if he had not worn me.

My life was sure fun while I was on display, but this is more satisfying. Every day, I have a purpose to fulfil, new adventures to undertake and the satisfaction derived from them make me feel great and make my life more fun than sitting around all day and letting passersby have a look at me. From a boring and comfortable life, I have moved on to a life which is adventurous and meaningful, and knowing that makes me the happiest pair of shoes in my amazing shoe world.

Published in Dawn, Young World, November 4th, 2017