Up a tree

Author – Steve

The three of us were mucking about in a park a couple of miles from our homes and being a Saturday we were bored. We started paying stupid dares to pass the time where one of us would dare the other 2 to do a challenge, usually involving some sort of embarrassment or pain, skinny dipping in the lake, climbing rocks barefooted, two of us doing a three legged race with a leg tied together so you were bound to fall over.  Eric suggested we find a dare or challenge we could all three of us do together and he suggested we all tie our shoes together, so a spider of 6 shoes, and throw them high up into a tree, they would be bound to come down, wouldn’t they. We all took our shoes off and  tied the shoes together by the laces and decided Peter should throw them up as he was the strongest thrower, Peter threw them and we waited for them to tumble out of the tree, and we waited, they never came, not only that with the foliage in the tree it was hard to see exactly where they were. I said it would be better to climb the tree and get a better view so the guys helped my up into the lower branches and I started to climb, its not easy climbing in socks as the tree branches are kind of rough,  After a few minutes I could just see the shoes though they were still a long way away and not really in the same part of the tree that I was, I shouted down to the guys to tell them and when I looked down I was amazed to see how high I had climbed. We had two choices me continuing to climb  nearer to the shoes, someone else to climb or us to throw things at the shoes to dislodge them so they fell from the tree, I struggled to climb down, jumping the last 10 feet or so, it was good to be on solid ground. We stood around arguing about what to do next and barely noticed two lads coming over the park in our direction, they asked why we were all in our socks and we pointed up the tree to where our shoes were. They thought they would be easy to get down and one of them, Tim, offered to go and get them and headed off up the tree. He was a good climber even though he was quite short. After half an hour he shouted down, I’ve got them shall I throw them down or bring them? – we all shouted together – bring them – we did not want to risk them getting caught up in the tree. Tim started down and Ivan , his mate , asked how they got up there and we explained we were just playing stupid dares to pass the time. Tim got down and threw us the spider of shoes and the next job was to untie them. One by one they came undone and we put our shoes on as they came. Ivan thought we should all do one last dare/challenge as a thank you for getting our shoes back, we could hardly refuse under the circumstances. The challenge is a race one lap of the lake from here last one back to here throws his shoes into the lake. That was tough it was a 20 minute run and no one wanted to be last. Oh – before you start said Tim – all of you take out your shoe laces, just make it interesting all our trainers had laces so we sat there and took them out and put our un laced trainers on. Each of us were eager to win – or at least not be last – but running with unlaced trainers is weird, you half want to run and half want to step slowly so as not to let them come off – go on take your laces out and try it – Eric was not happy his Air Max trainers were his brothers and they were a bit big for him so extra loose, he had to keep stopping to go back for one he lost, nobody said we had to keep them on so he took them off and carried them running in his socks. By now we were half way round the lake, Peter was in the lead, Eric second and me trailing, Eric stopped near the finish in some long grass to put his Air Max’s on and we finally got to the finish puffing and panting. Ivan said take your shoes off lets see your socks, My pale blue socks were like new, Peters white no shows were a bit muddy on one foot where he stepped in a puddle and Eric’s black socks were destroyed muddy and with holes in. I was prepared to be walking home in my socks and throwing my well worn Asics in the lake but Tim stopped me, this has not been a fair race somebody cheated so we don’t know who was really last or first, you throw those trainers and socks in the lake, he said to Eric, I cant wailed Eric they are my brother’s and he will go mad, so you would rather your mates both go home in socks to save your trainers then ? both of us said Peter and I come on that’s not fair neither is cheating said Tim. Eric peeled off his socks put them inside his trainers and threw them into the lake, we laced up and put on our shoes and the three of us headed home, Eric feeling very sad to be doing so barefoot. Peter and I looked at each other pulled our trainers and socks off and joined Eric walking barefoot, it was a laugh and it cheered him up a bit, he said he was going to tell his brother he lost his trainers in some mud.

Revenge

Author – Tim

Some time ago two mates of mine destroyed my trainer by ripping the sole off leaving me to walk back from college in borrowed trainers after walking round all day in one trainer and one sock. Steve and Phil had no idea that I was storing up an idea for revenge for them and the only suitable revenge was to ensure they were in their socks for a day so they would know what it was like. You can plan things all you like but at the end of the day these things are down to happenstance. Such a chance cropped up one Sunday Phil Steve and I were out for a ride in my truck and a couple of miles the far side of town I pulled over onto the shoulder to look at the view and work out where we might go. It was a hot day and the three of us were in just socks and shorts for comfort. I often drive in socks when its warm. My socks were light grey Steve’s were white crew socks and Phil had a pair of red footy socks on which had sort of white foot parts . The plan started to take place and the goal of making Steve and Phil walk home in those socks was worth the effort, especially as to get home they would need to walk through town. We sat on some rocks just below the road and chatted about where we would go. We were a very short sprint from the truck and providing I had the element of surprise I was sure I could get away with it. Phil decided he wanted a can of coke from the truck and I said I was going for one anyway I would get one for him, I got to the truck thought again about this trick, Hell yes , I started the truck and roared off leaving Steve and Phil scrambling up the stones in their socks watching my dust in the distance,  They had a long walk in just socks and shorts but they deserved it after destroying my shoes and leaving me to walk home in socks. Just to be certain they were seen I made certain a few of our school mates went out on that road on their bikes to meet them and head back into town with them. Phil persuaded one lad to lend him his Vans and cycle home in his socks .We met up at school on Monday and things were a bit frosty but being mates we were soon swapping stories and laughing about it and I thought I had got away with it though they both said I needed to buy them some new socks, I gave them a tenner each and was sure that was the end of the matter.

Don’t fall asleep

Author – Jed

Jed  It had been a good night, in fact a very good night and I was well wasted and heading home at 3am in the rain but not far only about half an hour to go, I was a bit wobbly but had a good pair of size 12  Timberland boots on so I was fine, walking through the park I saw a bench under some trees and thought a short rest would do me good as the bench was sheltered from the rain, the bench was wooden and hard but surprisingly comfortable, I was soon fast asleep, I woke up being shouted at and shaken by two lads who were trying to see if I was Ok. I assured them that I was fine just a bit hung over and a bit cold, I sat up and as my feet touched the wet floor I realised my boots and socks had gone, I was still a fair way from home and I was not looking forward to the walk at all, particularly as it was raining quite hard by now and I was barefoot and did not want to be seen like this in the streets. Although I often walked round the house in socks or barefoot I had never walked in the streets without shoes and socks. Seeing that I was OK the two lads had gone on their way laughing at my situation leaving me alone, I was not convinced they had not taken and hidden my stuff for a laugh but I just wanted to get home so did not want to waste time searching for something that might not be there. Pretty soon I was soaked through I walked slowly because I didn’t want to tread on any glass or anything, I had already stepped in some dog poo making me wash my foot in a  puddle, eventually I got home lucky that only a few people had seen me and staggered up my path, I  had my key hidden outside so I could get in the house OK, hot shower and bed.

Dash’s shoe

Author – Henry

This happened when I was in my freshman year of high school. When I arrived to school I got off the bus and went to wait for the bell to ring for school to start like normal. When I walked in the auditorium about half the kids were where. I took a seat and watched to see what everyone was doing. After looking around the auditorium I spotted two most popular kids in are grade. Their names are Ashton and Dash. They are best friends. Almost every girl likes them which always makes be jealous. Ashton was wearing a white sweatshirt with grey joggers and white Air Force ones while Dash was wearing a red sweatshirt with black joggers and red, white, and black air Jordan’s ones I think. Today Ashtyn was setting in the row in front of Dash. There was about 3 minutes till the bell rang. Dash started kicking Ashtons chair with his feet to be funny. The first reaction from Ashton was he slapped Dash’s knee. Dash didn’t listen and kept kicking the back of his chair. After a few more kicks Ashton reached back and grabbed Dash’s ankle. Dash started laughing and said let go of me. Ashton however didn’t and started to try and pull off dashed shoe. Dash started to kick and try and get his foot back but it was no use. After about 10 seconds Ashton have one more tug and pulled off Dash’s shoe. The bell then rang and Ashton ran out off the auditorium with Dash’s shoe. By this time everyone saw what had happens and started laughing. Dash got up from his seat with one shoe and a white sock and started to walk out off the auditorium. Then I lost track of Dash until 4th period. By that time everyone knew Ashton stole Dash’s shoe. When Dash walked in he had his left high top on with a white sock on his white foot. The teacher asked him where his shoe was and he just replied I lost it. The whole class laughed and Dash then sat down at his desk. Dash then crossed his socked foot on top of his foot with a high top. I didn’t take me long to see that his white sock had gotten pretty dirty on the bottom. I guess he just walked like normal and didn’t hop on one foot. As class went on less and less people didn’t pay attention to the teacher and just started and Dash’s feet. Mainly focusing on his foot with just a white sock.  One girl asked what Ashton did with do with your shoe. Dash replied I’m pretty sure it’s locked in his locker. The girl laughed and then started to work on her assignment but occasionally glancing under the desk at his socked foot. A few minutes later class was over. Everyone got their things quickly to watch Dash. After Dash got his things we walked out with one shoe and one sock. He walked up to his friends including Ashton and did a handshake with them and they walked to their next classes. I was surprised Dash was not mad at Ashton for taking his shoe. I guess it was because they were good friends. I lost track of Dash again until the end of the day. When I got my things I wanted to go to Dash’s locker and see if he got his shoe back or not. To my surprise he didn’t. He was still in a white sock. After he got done packing up he went over to Ashton’s locker and slapped Ashton in the back asking for his shoe back. Ashton laughed and said fine I guess and tossed Dash his shoe. Dash then put on his shoe and said they both walked out of the school with some other friends.

A bit tied up

Author – Hiker

A few of were on a bit of a gentle hike in England’s Yorkshire Dales noted for its natural beauty boggy ground and changeable weather. We had been hiking for a few hours and decided we needed to stop for a snack a drink and a much needed rest. I had a chocolate bar with be an a can of coke, I then lay down near a fence and using my rucksack as a pillow fell asleep for a short rest. When I woke up I looked round and it seemed like I was alone, I sat up and promptly fell over again. Looking at my hiking boots I soon saw something was wrong, not only were the laces tied together they were also tied around one of the metal strands of the fence. The knots were hugely complicated, must have taken ages to tie but I could not work out how to deal with the situation, the harder I pulled the harder the knots became tied. I needed to stop panicking and I needed to start thinking. I emptied the rucksack and in one of the pockets found a cigarette lighter, maybe I could burn the laces to untie them.  I started on my right boot alternately singing and pulling the lace. After about an hour I had the laces destroyed and could pull that boot off my foot so I could at last move my right foot, what a relief, I would get by boot back in a while. I repeated the process on my left boot, which was easier as some of the laces I had destroyed were connected to that boot as well. I pulled my foot out of that boot as well and jumped about to restore circulation in my legs and feet, It felt great being free, though I knew I would not want to walk far on this ground in my socks. I started pulling at the boots to free them from each other and from the fence and from each other. My left boot came free first and though it had no laces I slipped it on and concentrated on the right boot. The more I struggled the worse it got, the part of the boot where the laces go through started to tear off from the boot, though it stayed attached to the huge tangled knot a laces. I exploited the weakness and pulled the boot apart to free it and though it was damaged I could still slip it on. Knowing the direction we were going to go I set off to head u the  hill, my socked feet kept slipping out of the unlaced boots so progress was slow, in the distance I saw the lights of a small building – which I knew was a pub – and I guessed that’s where the gang would be, it seemed a very long way off one step at a time, needed a solution. Still at least the pub was getting closer. As the ground got softer and boggier keeping the boots on became harder and once the socks inside the boots were lubricated with mud it was almost impossible. I explored the rucksack  again looking for solutions and found 2 spare pairs pf hiking socks. I took off my muddy socks wiped the boots out with dry grass and put two hiking socks on each foot, I pushed my feet into them then using the muddy football socks I tied the boots on, not ideal but it got me to the pub where I had an interesting conversation with my mates, one of whom had spare pair of boots for me.

Errands

Author – Irsocks

I decided to catch the bus to run my errands. On my way I passed the school just in time to see a guy get his right black DC Plaza skateshoe taken off his white sock foot. The thief put it under the bush next to the fence. Lucky for him it was on the other side of the fence out of reach. As I waited in front of the temple to cross the street, this guy slipped off his penny loafers and walked into the temple in his white and black polka dot socks. He didn’t realize that the person behind him slipped off their old run down loafers and slipped their blue argyle sock feet into his loafers leaving their old ones behind. What a day so far. The car wash was a little different. I walked up just in time to see a guy put a left black and white Nike shoe with black, purple, and blue laces near the back. Because it was a nice shoe, I picked it up after he walked away. This day was getting better. As I approached the bus stop, I noticed something drop out of the window of the bus pulling away. I looked down to see a right black and white Nike shoe. I scooped it up placing it in my bag. As I was looking out the window on the bus, I noticed a left Gray Nike SB sneaker on the sidewalk near the theater we were passing. It’s owner was going in the opposite direction in his left gray and red sock foot. I had to do some research at the library. As I got off the bus to go into the library, a guy came out missing his right New Balance black and red shoe revealing his red and black ankle sock. I decided to go to the very back of the library to do my research. There in the last cubicle at the very back was the missing New Balance sneaker. One more prize for me. As I put my prize in the bag I saw the Nikes that I had claimed earlier. I decided to put them on. They were a half size too big and the laces didn’t match, but I didn’t care. After I put my Adidas in my bag I left the library. I decided to take the subway next. It was crowded as usual. The subway jerked a few times in between stops and I was startled by something hitting my feet. I put my feet up on the seat and looked down to see a pair of feetless Reebok classics staring back at me. I guess they wanted to go home with me, so I put them in my bag. I got off the subway and noticed the owner of the Reeboks standing in his Nike elite black and white socks. He was not happy at losing his sneaks. I felt bad, so I tried to return them, but by the time I got to where I saw him, he was gone. I tried didn’t I? I stopped by the mall. It was hard trying to keep the Nikes on my feet. I changed back into my Adidas. As I zipped my bag up I noticed a left black and blue Nike high-top all alone under the bench next to the trash can. A few guys ran by laughing. Then a guy missing his left sneaker wearing  black and blue Nike elite socks ran after them. It was too late to catch them so I placed that one in the bag. I had no idea that I would be shoe shopping that day.

–

It was time to head back home. I passed the amusement park. It was noisy and crowded. As I passed on the sidewalk a light-brown suede wallabee boot almost hit me in the head. I seemed to be a shoe magnet today. I picked it up knowing it had to have come from the amusement park. Then it’s companion came flying towards me too. They obviously wanted to go home with me, so into the bag they went. I decided to cut through the woods as a short cut home. I heard a crow overhead and looked up just in time to see a DC Court Graffik drop from the sky. I put it in my bag and continued on my way. I didn’t really notice this one guy shoeless in his socks or the guys who had taken his other shake shoe. Before I got out of the woods I almost tripped over a left gray Vans sneaker with black laces. Another prize. Near the well I noticed a guy had pulled up a bucket discarding stuff. A right high-top black and white DC sneaker flew my way. Another prize. It was dark now. I had to get home. I noticed a guy in his yard looking around like he had lost something. His friends were not helping him at all. He finally gave up and they left. I found what he was looking for which was a left red Janoski near the sidewalk under a bush in the yard. I could have left it, but honestly would you have? I never thought my errands would include free shoes.

Lunch shoe

Author – Irsocks

Another time I witnessed a shoe being taken was in high school. The victim was a big sophomore at lunch near the end of the building. This guy could have been a linebacker on the football team. Well I didn’t see it start, but when I finally noticed what was happening about five or six guys had him on the ground while another guy was trying to take his sneaker. It was hard because he was struggling. It took all four to hold him down, two to hold his legs, and one to try and get that sneaker. It wasn’t easy because he had on Nike black, red, and white high-top basketball shoes. One thing that was weird was that no teacher tried to stop it and nobody went to report it. Well before the bell rang they got his sneaker off. All of them even the victim was sweating and out of breath. What surprised me was that they didn’t keep his sneaker. The guy that had taken it just dropped it next to it’s owner and they all cheered and walked away. Part of me was glad it was him and not me, and the other part wished it was me although I probably would not have struggled as much as he struggled.

P.E. Shoes

Author – Irsocks

While I have never been lucky enough to have my sneakers taken or been brave enough to try, I did witness someone have theirs taken. Tommy started taking Mike’s Nike black and white sneaker everyday at the end of P.E. class. Before the bell rang, we would always sit in the bleachers in the gym waiting for next period. Mike would always sit at the end on the bottom bleacher. One day Tommy grabbed Mike’s right ankle and started pulling. Mike held on to the bleachers until he realized it was no use. Tommy let his hand slip onto the back of Mike’s sneaker and slid it off his white sock with black heel and toe foot. Tommy would hold it up as if showing his prize. Some of the students laughed but did not do anything to help. Once the bell rang Tommy gave Mike his sneaker back. This went on for almost the whole semester which makes me wonder if Mike liked having his sneaker taken. Mike sat in the same spot each time. One day Tommy grabbed his left sneaker and pulled and twisted. Mike turned with the twist trying to keep his sneaker on. His sneaker slowly slipped away from his foot. He always wore white socks. One time Tommy held up his prize and asked if anyone had lost a sneaker. Mike held up his white sock foot and said it is mine. After a while no one even cared not even Mike. I did because it was a show for me. When Tommy grabbed his sneaker he didn’t even try to keep Tommy from taking it. He would just sit there in one sneaker and one white sock foot. After a while Tommy stopped taking Mike’s sneaker. The show was over for me.

Costly misunderstanding

Author – Irsocks

This was Mike’s first time in town. He was here to see the college campus. After his campus tour, Mike decided to tour the town. Luckily he had worn his DC Spartan High-top sneakers. They were perfect for the walk. He walked around viewing the buildings and the scenery captivated by what he saw. He was not paying attention to the turns he was making. He walked until it started getting dark. He thought he had better get back before it got too late. He realized he did not know where he was or the way back to the campus. He started to panic, then realized he could use his phone to get back. Panic set back in when he realized it wasn’t in his pocket. Mike realized he must have left it on campus or lost it. As he tried to retrace his steps, he got the feeling that he was being followed. He stopped and looked around just in time to see a guy stop and look in his direction. Now he really panicked. Mike started walking faster. There were no stores or gas stations nearby to use a phone or get away. Mike glanced back to see if the guy was still following him. There he was just a block away pretending to write something. Mike knew he had to lose the guy, so he took off running and ducked into an alley. It was a dead end, but hopefully the guy had not seen him go into the alley. Mike froze like a deer caught in headlights when he turned around to see the guy coming towards him. He was caught. The guy walked closer until Mike could see his face. The guy looked like a bodybuilder and wore a hooded jacket, jeans, and DC Command skate shoes. Before the guy could say anything, Mike said, “Don’t kill me; take my wallet” He reached for his wallet only to realize that it was gone as well. Mike’s heart started beating faster. The guy started to say something and reached inside his pocket. Mike screamed, “No, please I don’t have my wallet, but you can take my sneakers!” Mike quickly reached down and took off his sneakers revealing his white crew socks with a blue stripe and orange heel and toe. It looked like a stickup only the guy did not have a gun on him. Mike stood in his sock feet with his sneakers in his held-out hand. The guy shook his head and started to reach into his pocket again. Mike panicked and said, “No, please you can have my socks too.” He reached down and took off both his socks and stuffed them in his sneakers. Mike pleaded, “This is all I have; Please take them and go, please.” The guy hesitated for a while, shrugged his shoulders, and took Mike’s sneakers and socks and turned and walked away. As the guy left Mike noticed a piece of paper fall out of the guy’s pocket. Mike couldn’t believe he was in an unknown town in an alley in his barefeet and had just gotten robbed all because he wanted to see the town. He looked down at his feet and wiggled his toes still not believing what happened. Mike reached down and picked up the piece of paper and unfolded it. It read, “Hi, you don’t know me, but my name is Joe. I can’t talk, so I wrote down what I wanted to say to you when I caught up to you. I saw you when you lost your phone and your wallet. By the time I got to them and picked them up, you had already walked off. When I saw you again, I decided I had better keep up this time. I am sorry you lost your phone and wallet. I am returning them to you. Also, I noticed that you have on a campus hoodie and thought you might want a ride back to the campus.” Mike couldn’t believe what he had read. He started to cry. Now he had to find his way back to the campus barefoot in the dark all because he had misjudged Joe’s actions.

Double loss

Author – Jman

Class was beginning and the teacher and Clayton did not have his pencil.  He had already lost a pair of black tennis shoes earlier this week for being unprepared for class and did not want to lose another pair of shoes.  He came up with a plan to hide the fact that he did not have a pencil.  He would put his book upright on his desk so the teacher could not see that he had no pencil.  Eventually the book fell over and the teacher saw Clayton’s pencilless state.  She said to him, “You don’t have a pencil, do you?”  “No ma’am” Clayton replied.  The teacher looked at Clayton’s shoes, motioning for him to take them off and give them to her.  “Not again,” Clayton replied.  “Yes, again” said the teacher.  So Clayton took off the well worn gray loafers he got from the thrift shop revealing black socks with grey toes and heels.  Clayton is a good kid but forgets his pencils allot and it has cost him a few pairs of shoes that his parents only buy him shoes from the thrift shop.

The time came for Clayton’s shoes to be auctioned off at the next weekly shoe auction.  Although the shoes were well worn, they sold for $4.  Nick had bought them and put them in his locker.  His plan was to have them on hand so he could change into them in case he did not have his homework or books.  This way he would not lose a good pair of shoes but rather old, worn out shoes.

A while later Nick was late for class.  He was wearing white Nikes with a green stripe.  He had spent good money on them and knew he would lose them if he walked into class wearing them.  So he went to his locker and began to change into the well worn grey loafers.  As he was doing this, the principal caught him and said, “Why are you changing your shoes?  You should be in class.  You are in violation of school rules by being in the hallway.  Since I don’t know what pair you had on when the bell rang, give me both pairs of shoes.”

The principal escorted Nick in his solid red sock feet into the classroom and holding up both pairs of shoes, explained to everyone: “Nick decided he would change shoes, so he would not have to give up this nice pair of tennis shoes.  Therefore he will be giving up both pairs of shoes.”  The shoes were put in the box marked “shoe jail” and Nick took his seat in his socks.