Retold by Italo Calvino Translated by George Martin A king had an only son that he thought the world of. But this prince was always unhappy. He would spend days on end at his window staring into space. “What on earth do you lack?” asked the king. “What's wrong with you?” “I don’t even know myself, Father.” “Are you in love? If there's a particular girl you fancy, tell me, and Pll arrange for you to marry her, no matter whether she’s the daughter of the most powerful king on earth or the poorest peasant girl alive!” “No, Father, I’m not in love.” The king tried in every way imaginable to cheer him up, but theaters, balls, concerts, and singing were all useless, and day by day the rosy hue drained from the prince's face. a The king issued a decree, and from every corner of the earth came the most learned philosophers, doctors, and professors. The king showed them the prince and asked for their advice. The wise men withdrew to think, then returned to the king. “Majesty, we have given the matter close thought and we have studied the stars. Here’s what you must do. Look for a happy man, a man who's happy through and through, and exchange your son’s shirt for his.” That same day the king sent ambassadors to all parts of the world in search of the happy man. A priest was taken to the king. “Are you happy?” asked the king. Vocabulary fhue (hi). a color; shade or tint decree (i kre’) n. an order or decision made by a judge, monarch, or other official THE SHORT STORY ®& 241 ieThe Happy Man's Shirt fos, indeed, Majesty.” Fine. How would you like to be my bishop? dh, Majesty, if only it were so! “Away with you! Get out of my sight! he T'm secking a man who's happy just as 1g to better his lot.” Thus the search resumed, and before long the king was told about a neighbor- ing king, who everybody said was a truly happy man. He had a wife as good as she is, not one who's try was beautiful and a whole slew of children. He had conquered all his enemies, and his country was at peace. Again hopeful, the king immediately sent ambassadors to him to ask for his shirt. The neighboring king received the ambassadors and said, “Yes, indeed, I have everything anybody could possibly want But at the same time I worry because I'll have to die one day and leave it all. I can't sleep at night for worrying about that!" The ambassadors thought it wiser to go home without this man’s shirt. At his wit’s end, the king went hunt- ing. He fired at a hare but only wounded it, and the hare scampered away on three legs. The king pursued it, leaving the hunting party far behind him. Out in the open field he heard a man singing a refrain, The king stopped in his tracks. “Whoever sings like that is bound to be & Vocabulary slew (si00)n.a large number or group refrain (fr) nn 2 song or poem a phrase or verse thats repeated regulary, especialy at the end of each stanza retinue (ret” an 0’) n. the group of attendants or servants accompanying a person of rank or authority The song, led him into a vineyagy happy! ne found a young man singing ang where h pruning the vines. “Good day, Majesty,” said the youth So early and already out in the country “Bless you! Would you like me to take you to the capital? You will be my friend. “Much obliged, Majesty, but I woulda’, even consider it. I wouldn't even change places with the Pope.” “Why not? Such a fine young man like you...” “No, no, I tell you. I’m content with just what [ have and want nothing more.” “A happy man at last!” thought the king, “Listen, young man. Do me a favor” “With all my heart, Majesty, if I can.” “Wait just a minute,” said the king, who, unable to contain his joy any longer, ran to get his retinue. “Come with me! My son is saved! My son is saved!” And he took them to the young man. “My dear lad,” he began, “I'l give you whatever you want! But give me... give me...” “What, Majesty? “My son is dying! Only you can save him. Come here!” The king grabbed him and started un- buttoning the youth’s jacket. All of a sud den he stopped, and his arms fell to his sides The happy man wore no shirt.— ( iS Se x Responding to Literature yrsonal R Y Porsona Nesponse | Ly How dll you feel when you read the last line Se ° of the story? How da you ELEMEN think you would have reacted if you hal been inthe king's place? | ENS symbol! | A symbol is a person, an objec, or an ——— ANALYZING LITERATURE ——— ore | act that means more than what itis. 1. What is wrong with the king's son? The symbol refers to or stands for 2. What does the king do to try to cure his son? What do the wise men | someone or something else. Parables, recommend: || fables, and folktales, such as "The Happy Man's Shit,” often contain symbols to help get the author's meaning across. 1. What kinds of people do the king and the son in “The Happy Man's Shin” symbolize? 2. What does the king want for his sor? What is the symbol for that 3. What does the king eventually discover about the priest and the neighboring king? 4, How does the king discover the happy man? Who is this man? 5, Is the happy man able to do the favor the king requests? Why or why not? INTERPRET 6. What might be the real reason the prince is unhappy? 7. Why do you think the wise men make the suggestion they do? How might a shirt help the prince? quality? 8, Do you think the neighboring king would have given his shirt to the 3, What characteristics or qualities ambassadors, had they asked for it? Explain. might the priest and the other 9, What makes the king believe that the young man he has found is king symbolize? truly happy? See Literary Terms Handbook, 10. How do you think the king feels when he unbuttons the young man’s p. R13. jacket? Why might the young man be dressed as he is? EVALUATE AND CONNECT 11. Do you think itis possible to have everything one might wish for and stil be unhappy, lke the prince in this story? Explain 12. Do you think the king is a good father to his son? Why or why not? 13. In your opinion, does a person like the happy man really exist? Do you think anyone is truly satistied with what he or she has? Explain your answer. 14. In your opinion, what is the lesson, or moral, ofthis story? 15. Theme Connections What makes the ending of this story so surpris- ing? How is the surprise ending related to the moral of the story? srur CHORT STORY @ 243