Those Shoes
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
This is Believe, one network, every topic, everywhere. OK, our friends.
What is the story “Those Shoes” about and who created it?
So today we are reading a story called Those Shoes. And this story was written by Mary Beth Botts, and it's illustrated by Noah Z. Jones. Yesterday we were reading about that chicken who was special, right? Because she realized that she was a dinosaur. Let's see what we can find about today's story. See if there's anything special here to discuss, shall we? So today's story, Those Shoes, is read by Mommy and... Phillip.
Phillip.
Philip,
let's do it. First things first, we see some fall leaves blowing in the wind, which makes sense because it's fall time, right? And then we see a boy standing, and he's looking at a great big advertisement on a building.
How does the narrator explain the difference between wants and needs?
And it says, buy these shoes. And we see the boy, and he thinks... I have dreams about those shoes. Black high tops. Two white stripes. You think so? And now he's at home. Grandma, I want them. There's no room for want around here. Just need.
Need.
Grandma says. And what you need are new boots for winter. Hmm. Do you know there's a difference between want and need?
Mm-hmm.
Do you know what the difference is? Mm-hmm. Okay. Some things you might desire, they might make your life feel more special. But other things, you actually have to use them regularly. Those are your needs. Okay. Brandon T. comes to school in those shoes. He says he's the fastest runner now and not me. I was always the fastest before those shoes came along. Nate comes to school in those shoes. Antonio and I count how many times Nate goes to the bathroom. Seven times in one day, just so he can walk up and down this hall real slow. Hmm. He's showing off his shoes, do you think? Chill off. Next, Alan, Jacobi, and Terrence each got a pair. Oh, so now there's one, two, three, four kids with those shoes. And then one day, in the middle of kickball, one of my shoes comes apart.
Looks like you could use a new pair, Jeremy. Mr. Alfie, the guidance counselor, says he brings out a box of shoes and other stuff he has for kids who need things. He helps me find the only shoes that are my size. Velcro. Like the ones my little cousin Marshall wears. They have an animal on them. From a cartoon. I don't think any kid ever watched. Ooh.
Why do the other kids tease the narrator for wearing the guidance‑counselor’s shoes?
That's hard. In the picture we can see what they look like. And I get it. He does not like those shoes. I don't blame him. And especially when you have to walk back into a classroom full of people. When I come back to the classroom, Alan Jacoby takes one look at my Mr. Alfie shoes and laughs. And so do Terrence and Brandon T and everyone else. The only kid not laughing is Antonio Parker. At home, Grandma says, How kind of Mr. Alfie. I nod and turn my back. I'm not going to cry about any dumb shoes, but when I'm writing my spelling words later, every word looks like the word shoes, and my grip is so tight on my pencil, I think it might bust. Have you ever... Have you ever felt so frustrated when you're writing something that you think, I'm going to snap this pencil in half?
Yeah. I think it's easy to sometimes feel super frustrated. But what's not easy is controlling your temper. I think it's normal and healthy to feel angry. But what's not healthy is to break something when you're angry. That's not a good way to get it out. On Saturday, Grandma says, let's check out those shoes you've been wanting so much. I got a little bit of money set aside. Might be enough. You never know. Oh, my. At the shoe store, Grandma turns those shoes over so she can check the price. And when she sees it, she sits down heavy. Maybe they wrote it down wrong, I say. Grandma shakes her head. Oh no, they're really expensive, huh?
And then I remember the thrift shops. What if there's a rich kid who outgrew his or got two pairs for Christmas and had to give one of them away? So we ride the bus to the first thrift shop. Black cowboy boots, pink slippers, sandals, high heels, every kind of shoes except the ones I want. We ride the bus to the second thrift shop.
What happens when the narrator’s shoes fall apart during kickball?
Not a pair of those shoes in sight. Around the corner is the third thrift shop. I see something in the window.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:01–0:10
2
What is the story “Those Shoes” about and who created it?
0:10–1:12
3
How does the narrator explain the difference between wants and needs?
1:12–3:59
4
Why do the other kids tease the narrator for wearing the guidance‑counselor’s shoes?
3:59–6:49
5
What happens when the narrator’s shoes fall apart during kickball?
6:49–11:19
6
How does the search for the perfect shoes lead to the thrift‑shop adventure?
11:19–14:17
7
What emotions surface when the narrator finally finds the coveted shoes for $2.50?
14:17–14:50