FLASH FICTION

The Life A Wingtip

In the real world, they said shoes didn’t fly, except when thrown. But then again, everyone forgot about the wings on a wingtip. Angelo was an old and battered one from days gone by.

Instead of going somewhere for recycling and certain death, he opted for real wings so he could act as someone’s guardian angel.

“That’s a bit unusual,” God told him.

“That’s strange,” added Gabriel.

“But why not, there must be someone who could use a guardian shoe,” Angelo reasoned.

“Actually, I think I know just the person,” God said after consulting his book.

“Send him to the last of the shoemakers, of course,” Gabriel said.

The rushing and noise of his trip disoriented Angelo a little, so that when he landed, he hit the wall. The noise alerted Mike Mico of Handmade Shoes. He rushed into his storeroom, sure someone was breaking in.

When he saw the old wingtip lying on the floor, his eyes widened.

“I haven’t seen or made this style of shoe!” he said as he picked it up and examined it closely.

Going over to his drafting table, he proceeded to draft a pattern from the old shoe.

When he finished, he cut out a test shoe in different colors patent leather. The new shoe was gorgeous! The type of style that would sell today.

Mike made a second shoe for the other foot. Taking the pair in hand, he set them in the front window of his shop. They sold in fifteen minutes.

Other customers saw them and wanted some too. Mike was delighted to make more pairs, all with scraps of patent and regular leather.

Soon he had no scraps left and had to cut into new skins to meet the demand. Angelo was proud to help.



300 WORDS DAILY FLASH 8/29/2025