Mr.

Happy Man

In the film, a radio host said, “a lot of people couldn’t understand why he would do what he’s doing.”

In your own words, describe the motivation behind Johnny Barnes’ actions. In other words, why did Mr.
Barnes perform his service to others; what qualities did he have that motivated him toward this service?
Respond in 1-2 complete sentences.
From my point of view, I think that Mr. Barnes is motivated thanks to the affection and attention that
other people give him, being a very cheerful person makes his services more enjoyable.

Think about your own life. What is something YOU can do to spread happiness in your community?
Respond in 1-2 complete sentences.
Normally, I make people laugh. With my family I try to be very careful and show affection to all the
members. With my friends I am a little more extroverted and I do a lot of clowning.

One woman interviewed in the film explains that she did not want to look at Johnny Barnes when she
was driving to work one morning because she wanted to “hold on to my unhappy moments.”

Why might someone want to hold on to unhappy moments? Is happiness a choice? Why or why not?
Respond in a paragraph of 5-8 complete sentences and restate the questions in your answer.
I think that Barnes wanted to cling to those unhappy moments of the lady so that she would feel
relieved and forget about those moments, to be happy. I believe that happiness is not a choice. There
are certain acts or things in life that make you happy or not.

As portrayed in the film, a statue of Johnny Barnes was commissioned and erected at the Hamilton
traffic circle in his honor.

Imagine that you are chosen to write a plaque for the base of the statue. Create a one-sentence
inscription honoring Johnny Barnes.
“For the man who managed to captivate us and make those present here smile”

Jane Goodall, educator and primatologist, said, “I have many kinds of happiness. I’m completely happy
when I’m alone in nature… I’m really happy when I sit around with friends in the evening, particularly
around a campfire where we can tell stories… I’m totally happy when I’m walking with a dog. Dogs make
me really, really, happy because you can just be yourself with a dog.”

When are you happiest? Respond in 2-3 sentences and use the stem, I am happiest when…
I am very happy when I can enjoy playing soccer, when I hang out with my friends, when I sleep with
them, when we go on trips together and when I can spend time with my family.

Mr. Happy Man