NCERT Book Class 7 English (Honeycomb) Chapter 5 Quality; Trees

72/HONEYCOMB

5
Before you read

Can a shoemaker be called an artist? Yes, if he has the
same skill and pride in his trade as any other artist, and
the same respect for it too. Mr Gessler, a German
shoemaker settled in London, is a perfect artist. Read
this story to see how he devotes his life to his art.

Quality

—————–
I knew him from the days of my
extreme youth, because he made my
—————– father’s boots. He lived with his elder brother in
—————– his shop, which was in a small by-street in a
—————– fashionable part of London.
—————– The shop had a certain quiet distinction. There
—————–
was no sign upon it other than the name of Gessler
—————–
Brothers; and in the window a few pairs of boots.
—————–
He made only what was ordered, and what he
—————–
made never failed to fit. To make boots —such
boots as he made —seemed to me then, and still
—————–
seems to me, mysterious and wonderful.
—————–
I remember well my shy remarks, one day, while
“It is an art.”
(said with a stretching out to him my youthful foot. “Isn’t it
German awfully hard to do, Mr Gessler?” And his answer,
accent)
given with a sudden smile from out of the redness
lasted of his beard: “Id is an ardt!’’
terribly:
lasted very It was not possible to go to him very often—
long his boots lasted terribly, having something