Gestörte Nachbarschaft: Ein Schuster nimmt keine Rücksicht auf seinen Nachbarn und lärmt herum mit Gesang (oder Gegröle). Wer will schon so einen Nachbarn haben? Anscheinend die Leute vom NordSüd-Verlag und auch Aesop, sonst würde er ja nicht solche Geschichten erzählen. Hier mal wieder die Mär, daß man reich unglücklich sei und Arbeit unabdingbare Voraussetzung für Lebensglück. Solche Märchen erzählen auch nur die Reichen. Vermutlich war Aesop selber reich. Ich frage mich, wie der Schuster sich fühlen würde, wenn sein Nachbar Tag für Tag so herumlärmen würde, daß er sich nicht mehr konzentrieren kann. ( )

This story made me smile though the ending quite predictable. The rich mans attitude shows that is all he is, a rich man and miserable. The shoemaker, though he is poor and has to work extremely hard, sings and enjoys working. The rich man will give the shoemaker any money he wants if he would just stop singing. I'm thinking he couldn't stand to see his exuding joy. When the shoemaker finally agrees because the money could provide plenty for his family, he is anxious and unhappy. He learns that no amount of riches could bring him happiness. His family, his work, and his singing is what brings him joy. I think the predictable ending makes it even more so of a lesson to readers. If we can so obviously see the mistake the shoemaker makes, shouldn't we be able to see this same lesson in our own lives? ( )

This fable is based on the lives of the Shoemaker and the Merchant, who live two play opposite lifestyles. The shoemaker can barely make ends meet for his wife and his children, and can barely put food on the table. The Merchant lives happily with his riches and counts them every day. Even without riches, the Shoemaker showed up to work every day and happily sang for the town to hear. The Merchant couldn't stand to hear the Shoemaker sing, as it was a huge distraction from clouting his riches, so he attempted a few times to bribe the Shoemaker with riches in order to have him stop singing. Eventually, the Shoemaker accepted the riches, and realized with riches and without singing, he was truly unhappy, so he decided to return the riches. This fable teaches a great lesson to young readers that you do not riches in order to be happy, and you should continue to do what you love and what brings true happiness to your life. I would say this book is eligible to be read to any age, however, the reading level is more suitable for third grade and older. ( )

This is a charming retelling of one of La Fontaine’s classic fables. A rich and cheerless merchant is displeased with a poor shoemaker’s joyful singing. The merchant offers the shoemaker abundant riches in return for silence. At first the shoemaker declines because he is content with his life, but when the merchant offers more, he takes it to help his family. The humble shoemaker soon realizes that having heaps of money isn’t the only way a man can be rich.
This fable is so relevant for our time. In a world where money and material items have such a firm grasp on people’s lives, it’s nice to read something that causes you to reflect on what’s truly important in life. The Rich Man and the Shoemaker is a brilliant fable that proves money can’t buy happiness. ( )

" Is it better to be poor and happy or rich and careworn?" The shoemaker liked to sing when working but the rich merchant across the street didn't like his singing because he couldn't concentrate on counting his gold. The merchant offered the shoemaker gold to stop singing but he said no. Finally after many times of begging, the shoemaker took up the merchant's offer. He bought a house for his wife and kids and hid the rest of the treasure in a hole. All he could do now is worry about whether someone was stealing his gold or if there was a burglar. His wife told him to bring back the gold, because all it did was create worry and unhappiness. The shoemaker brought back the gold and asked for his songs and sleep back in return! Often when people are less fortunate, they appreciate the little things. In this case, the shoemaker was happy enough with sleeping and singing. Children would find humor in this fable and be suspenseful to hear the ending. I would recommend this book be read to grades k-3 but the reading level is 3-4 grade. ( )