Question

Only the Wearer knows where the shoe pinches elucidate the statement in refer to the story the letter

Answer 1

It is absolutely true that only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches. It is very easy to make fun of people in trouble; but when the same trouble afflicts us our attitude to life and miseries of others undergoes a drastic change.

In the chapter, The Letter, we see this transformation in two persons; first Ali, the second was the postmaster. Ali gave up hunting innocent animals after Miriam suddenly left him. The pain of separation made him sensitive to the pain of the animals.

The postmaster was also transformed after a painful experience. The arrogant postmaster, who earlier had behaved so callously and rudely with Ali for inquiring about whether there was any letter for him from Miriam, was completely transformed after he himself underwent the pain of not hearing any news about his own sick daughter who lived in a distant town. Now he empathized with Ali. He wondered he could not bear the suspense concerning his daughter's health only for one night, and how Ali must have gone through the painful suspense concerning his daughter, Miriam, for five years! He felt remorseful for his misbehavior. Coincidentally, when he saw Miriam's letter addressed to Ali, he picked it up excitedly thinking he would hand over the letter himself.  He realized the truth. He no longer thought of letters in terms of envelopes and postcards. Now he saw the essential human worth of a letter. He watched them as eagerly as though each contained a warm, beating heart.

Answer 2

It is very true that only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches. The onlookers can only give advice or make fun, but the pain that is felt by the person cannot be understood. In the story 'The Letter' Ali is waiting for a letter from his daughter, who married and went away five years ago. Ali goes to the post office daily to enquire about the letter. All the employees at the post office ridicule him and laugh at him. When the new post master comes, he too is told about Ali. They all call Ali a madman. Later, when the post master's daughter becomes sick, he waits impatiently for news about her. He now understands the anxiety felt by Ali and the pain of a father's heart. It is only when you have to face the situation that you realise the condition of others.