 Your feet, I protect
 For centuries, Egypt was known as the mystical land of the pharaohs
and for their splendid pyramids which are among the remaining “seven
wonders of the world”. They were also known for their brisk trade with
India, Madagascar, Malaysia, and Serrendip (now Sri Lanka). Their ships
used to criss-cross the rough seas carrying cinnamon, pepper, clothes,
jewellery and leather.
The primitive man who lived in caves had to make his way through
rocks. In order to protect his feet, he used to cover them with mats of
grass, strips of hide or even flat pieces of wood.
These were fastened to the soles of the feet by thongs bound around
ankles. These were the first shoes. Among the first civilised people to
make shoes were the Egyptians. They used pads of leather or papyrus,
which were bound to the feet with two straps. In order to protect the
toes, in some cold countries people developed a different kind of shoes.
They were bags padded with grass and tied around the feet.
The Shoe story
  I feel proud that I come from the land of mysteries called Egypt. My
ancestors have migrated to all parts of the globe. During my childhood I
underwent a lot of misery. I was cut into various shapes and designs
from huge leather sheets. Next these were sent to a factory for more
modification.
My body was shaped into different designs, some for women’s wear and
men’s wear. To make my skin smooth and to give a brilliant colour a
liquid was applied all over my body. By now I have attained puberty and
was regarded as an adult and treated in style.
I have grown up to be a beautiful shapely figure. I had many admirers
and lovers. I was kept in a beautiful showcase to give a glimpse of my
body to visitors in a leading shopping centre.
Here I made new friends who looked beautiful with different shapes
and sizes. Some were known as Egyptian Sandals. American Quakers,
Chinese women’s shoes and Red Indian deer skin shoes. These shoes were
cut from good leather in various shapes to accommodate every foot with
the latest styles.
In time, fine leather shoes of attractive designs began to appear in
Italy, France and England. The designs of shoes have always been subject
to whims. High heels came into fashion with the development of modern
techniques. Today, many varieties of shoes are being made of rubber,
plastic, canvas and leather.
There is a saying that you can tell a lot about a person by the shoes
they wear. Unkept shoes suggest carelessness or lack of attention to
detail while polished shoes speak well of their wearer.
My present owner is a cute little blonde who dines and wines with the
rich, sporting the latest designs in footwear.
-Tissa Hewavitarana
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