"Sapatos Pretos" is a short story written by Brazilian author Machado de Assis. The story follows the protagonist, Daniel, a young man who is struggling to find his place in society. Daniel is a poor shoemaker who dreams of one day owning a pair of black shoes. He believes that these shoes will give him the confidence and status he needs to succeed in life. However, as Daniel works hard to save up for the shoes, he begins to realize that material possessions are not the key to happiness. Through his journey, Daniel learns valuable lessons about self-worth and the true meaning of success.