他曾是一名刚从师傅手中学成技艺的鞋匠，梦想在首都闯出一片天地。但城里的每个老板都不愿意给他机会，最终是最贫穷的一个收留了他。在那里，他的收入微薄，但空余时间多，因为往往没有活儿可干。然而，那个新来的鞋匠依旧留下来，因为他的性格讨人喜欢，师傅不愿放手。

有一天，小鞋匠路过税务局，他眉头一皱，心机横生。他想到税务局那地方，他和师傅需要多少钱，就能拿多少。第二天夜里，他在税务局的墙上凿了个洞，从那个洞里可以悄无声息地钻出来。他偷偷摸摸从每个箱子里拿点钱，这样人们很难发现，只要出门时把洞堵上。他和师傅平分这笔钱，以后他们相互帮助，金银珠宝越积越多。他们很快成为那个城里最富有最体面的人物。现在，他们的铺子忙碌得连以往瞧不起他们的人们，都纷纷前来谄媚奉承。

但税务局工作人员不久就发觉，有贼潜入盗窃，他们开始怀疑，然后仔细搜索，一发现墙上的洞，便知道贼是从这里逃脱的。于是，在洞口附近安排了几个守卫进行监督。

有一晚，小鞋匠对他的师傅说：“今夜我们再去税务局弄几千克朗，以后就别去了，因为我听说，他们正在侦察贼的下落。”他们换好衣服，就出发了。“我出来次数太多了，”新来的鞋匠说，“这次你亲自出来一次。”

“好的，我同意。” Shoesmith 将石头搬开，让老师父从洞里钻出去。当守卫看到贼逃跑时，其中一个冲上前，用刀砍掉了脑袋。而小鞋匠见状大惊失色，将老师父身子拉回家，而不得不留下尸体。

事情震惊全城，因为脑袋没了，无人认得是谁。那国王请了一位会占卜的老婆婆搞清楚真相。她答应竭尽所能，她倒了一杯咖啡渣，把它拨动着占卜。她说：“贼住的地方离这里不远，如果你们按照我的话去做，你们就会知道他住在哪里。”

国王命令照她的话去做，全城的人都为这一新鲜事而吃惊，最终士兵们带着尸体游街到穷鞋匠家的房前。一看就是那座房子的妻子打开窗户，大叫起来：“啊！我的丈夫！”

小 shoe cobbler immediately realized his mistake, telling her not to cry out but the soldiers were already closing in. Shoe cobbler grabbed a knife and cut himself, causing blood to flow profusely. “I accidentally cut myself,” he said. “My wife is frightened.” The soldiers followed behind the cart but took note of the crosses on all doors as they left.

The next day, Shoe cobbler saw that they had painted crosses on all doors. He quickly understood their intention and began painting crosses on every door in town.

When the soldiers returned to search for the thief's residence, they found crosses on every door they had passed and reluctantly gave up their investigation.

The king then threatened to punish the old witch if she could not provide more information about the thief. She suggested hanging the corpse outside with a sign saying "Thief" and stationing guards nearby so that when someone came to claim it, she would be caught while attempting it.

Shoe cobbler felt sorry for his teacher who was being treated like a monster by being hung from a tree; he decided to find a way to rescue him. He managed to get three priest outfits, a carriage with two horses and set off at night towards where Teacher Father was hanging from an oak tree.

He stopped his carriage near by without getting down or making any noise until morning came when he got out dressed as one of them priests wearing glasses pretending he couldn't see anything around him saying "We are traveling merchants," looking confused while pointing at each other asking what happened there while actually trying hard not take notice of anything unusual happening around them under this disguise act performed well enough that even after waking up drunk ,they went back home still thinking themselves as priests unaware of what really transpired during their drunken state .

They reported everything honestly before King who laughed heartily after hearing their story: "You should have been severely punished but I forgive you this time." They thanked him gratefully knowing how close death lurked over them .