What Men Live By, and Other Tales

Simon, a modest shoemaker, struggles to keep his family warm through a harsh winter. With a single torn sheepskin coat and a handful of barely‑collected debts, he sets out for the village hoping to buy new furs. The day turns sour as each neighbour either delays payment or refuses credit, leaving Simon empty‑handed and disheartened. He drowns his frustration in a quick drink, convincing himself that warmth comes from within, not from a new coat.

On his return, the fading light reveals a pale, naked figure leaning against a roadside shrine, its presence both uncanny and unsettling. Simon’s fear battles his curiosity, and the strange encounter hints at a deeper lesson about generosity and the true source of human comfort. As the shoemaker hesitates, listeners are drawn into a timeless tale that explores how love and compassion can change even the coldest of winters.