One Shoe, Two Shoes

But this time, Bracha’s voice sounded strained.

Mrs. Morris took the phone.

“What’s up, Bracha?” she asked in concern. “Are you feeling alright?”

“I guess so,” replied Bracha. “But I was just about to leave the house for my dentist appointment. Then I realized Chananya had taken off his shoes again. I don’t know where he put them. Now I’m going to be late for my appointment. And I’ve got a loose tooth, and—”

“Hold it, Bracha! Wait!” cried Mommy. But Bracha was already worried about ending up in the hospital with an infection.

“Bracha!” Mommy repeated loudly.

Bracha paused. “Uh, sorry, did you say something?”

“Yes! I said, you did the same thing when you were small! Kids do put their shoes in all sorts of funny places.”

Moishy and Miriam’s ears perked up. This sounded interesting. Somehow, they couldn’t imagine big, sensible Bracha ever being a toddler.

“Let’s try and work out where the missing shoes could be,” said Mommy.

“Under da bed!” called out Miriam. Her shoes often ended there. They just seemed to walk on their own.