Emrick the shoemaker can barely afford food for himself and his wife, but they still give far more than they take. One day, Emrick's generosity compels him to trade a pair of his shoes for a beautiful woodlands painting. He hangs the curious work of art on the wall and goes to sleep hungry. The next morning, he awakens to find a beautifully-crafted pair of shoes resting upon his desk. Later that night, Emrick and his wife watch from the shadows as several tiny elves emerge from inside the magical painting!