Who shod the flea in the fairy tale?

Who shod the flea in the fairy tale? - briefly

The flea receives its shoe from a cobbler, the village shoemaker. This episode is a brief episode in the traditional folk narrative.

Who shod the flea in the fairy tale? - in detail

The tiny insect receives shoes from a field mouse. In the narrative the mouse volunteers after the flea complains of cold feet. The mouse fashions miniature footwear by:

  • Harvesting thin strips of bark and thistledown for the soles.
  • Cutting the material to the exact length of the flea’s legs, measured with a needle‑spine.
  • Stitching the pieces together using spider silk as thread.
  • Securing the shoes with a drop of honey as adhesive.

The mouse’s motivation stems from a promise that the flea will bring a grain of wheat as payment. After the shoes are completed, the flea tests them by hopping across the meadow, confirming their fit. The story ends with the flea thanking the mouse and delivering the agreed grain, highlighting the reciprocal aid between the two smallest forest dwellers.