A Fine Polish

I pushed past the jingling entrance of the neighborhood cobbler shop and scrambled straight up a wooden stool onto the low workbench! The air was rich with the scent of smooth leather and cedar shavings. Right beside a pair of sturdy brown boots sat a small round tin of black shoe polish with its twist-lid halfway open. Leather maintenance is a supreme duty! I wrapped both hands around a tiny horsehair dauber brush, dipped the stiff bristles straight into the dark, waxy cream, and applied three enthusiastic, circular strokes to the dull leather toe. *Swish, buff, gleam!* A brilliant glossy shine emerged, looking sleek as a wet seal on deck!