by Aylmer Maude and Louise Maude
First published 2020
Simon the cobbler encounters a mysterious naked stranger shivering behind a shrine on a cold evening. The man claims to be starving and frozen, unable to find shelter even in God's house. Simon brings him home to his wife Matryona, where they clothe and feed him. The stranger lives with the humble couple, working alongside Simon in his cobbler shop. Only later do Simon and Matryona discover their guest's true nature when he reveals himself as an angel sent to learn about human suffering. Through his experience of hunger, cold, and dependence on others' kindness, the celestial being comes to understand what sustains mortal life. The angel's revelation transforms the couple's understanding of charity and divine presence in everyday acts of compassion.
Genres: classics, christian, christian-fiction, 20th-century, 19th-century, angels
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Period: 19th-Century, 20th-Century
49 pages · Paperback · Independently published