Once upon a time there was a shoe maker named Hans, and his little friend "Nibbles" the mouse. Nibbles loved old, Hans and together they had lived in the village of Shoeben in a little tiny cottage. Every night before Hans went to bed, he always left a piece of bread for Nibbles and in the morning there wasn't a crumb left! That is how Nibbles got his name.
Hans was the best shoemaker in all of Shoeben. He not only made the shoes for the villagers, but even for the King and Queen. Before he started to work, each morning he would tuck Nibbles in his shirt pocket. Nibbles loved to be close to Hans , while he diligently repaired old shoes and made new ones. But, at the end of the day, Nibbles could always count on his little piece of bread.
One morning early there was a knock on the door of Hans' shoe shop. It was a messenger from the Palace. The pretty young princess was getting married in the Spring and the King and Queen wanted Hans to make a very special pair of shoes for her wedding. "What an honor it will be to make her shoes", answered Hans. "Do you have anything special that you would like me to put on them," he asked. The messenger explained to Hans that the King had given him two incredibly beautiful and very valuable rubies to put in the toe of each shoe. "You will have a month to make the shoes, Hans," said the messenger.
Hans felt very honored to be making shoes for the Princess for such a special occasion. He made sure that he put the rubies in a very safe place. That night when Hans and Nibbles were sleeping , two thieves broke into the shop and stole the rubies. The commotion woke up Nibbles just as he saw the two thieves running down the street. Nibbles immediately followed them to an old abandoned house. The thieves disappeared inside. Nibble hopped up onto the window ledge to see where the rubies were being hidiing.
In the meantime, Hans woke up looking for Nibbles.but Nibbles was no where to be found. Hans was deeply troubled. Nibbles was always the first one up in the morning. Hans looked all over the shop, but no Nibbles. Where could he be? thought Hans. 'I guess I will just have to start without him. Hans went to get the rubies out of the safe place, "Oh, no!' exclaimed Hans fearfully,' the rubies, the rubies, where are they? What am I going to do? I surely will be arrested. The king and queen will never believe that I lost them. What am I going to do"
No sooner had those thoughts entered Hans 'mind, when through his little mouse hole, Nibbles appeared. He was half out of breath running so fast. "Where have you been?" asked Hans fretfully. Without a word, , Nibbles opened his mouth and out popped the two rubies. "Nibbles, what is going on?" asked Hans.Nibbles started to explain, "You will never believe it. Last night two thieves broke into your shop and stole the rubies. I followed them to an old an abandoned house, and when they weren't looking, I found the rubies, stuffed them into my mouth and ran. I was so scared that they would see me, and hit me with a broom, but I ran as fast as lightening!
"You are my hero, Nibbles, I didn't know what I would have done , if the King, ever thought I had stolen his rubies. Hans picked up Nibbles, gave him a big hug and put him back in his shirt pocket.. Nibbles still remains today Hans' most faithful, loyal friend,and closest to his heart.
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