The Little Boy

There once was a little boy, who when asked what he wanted to be in life, simply replied: ‘Happy.’

His teacher told him that he wasn’t likely to find happiness in a book, so he wandered into the streets to find someone who was happy.

He first came upon a couple of fisherman, who were telling stories as they cast out their lines. “They sure seem happy,” thought the little boy. So he bought a box of tackle, and cast a fishing line until the sun went down. But he didn’t catch a single thing, and couldn’t get the smell of bait from his fingers for hours.

The little boy then saw a pair of businessmen, who were laughing and smoking cigars as they carried their bulging wallets. “I’ll bet they are happy,” thought the little boy. So he shaved himself for an interview, and filled his wallet with stones until it bulged. However it soon weighed down his pants, and they fell off when he gave out his resume.

The little boy then saw some well-dressed socialites, going to a party. “They look so happy,” thought the little boy. So he bought himself a suit and a hat, and went out to a party. However the trousers didn’t fit well; they flapped around his ankles and tripped him at the entrance.

Then the little boy saw a drunk, singing to himself in the street. “Now there is a man who is happy,” thought the little boy. So he bought himself a bottle of whiskey, but just became sick, and passed out in the gutter.

Finally, the little boy saw a young couple, who were sharing an embrace in the sunset. "They must be happy!" thought the little boy. So he found himself a girlfriend, and immediately thought "Yes, I am happy." But the girl said "I'm unhappy," and promptly walked away.