The House on Mango Street Chapter 17 - The Family of Little Feet
A family in Esperanza's neighborhood is known for its tiny feet. Everyone in it has small feet, either stuffed inside shoes, baby mouths, or powdered into heels. The mother gives Rachel and Esperanza some high-heeled pumps - lemon and pale blue - that they wear around town. They love the way the shoes make them feel and look (like real long women's legs), and they openly welcome all macho comments. However, when a dirty bum on the street tries to give Rachel a dollar for a kiss, the girls run away and never wear the shoes again. Lucy hides them in her room until their mother throws them away.