THE SHIRT

The king of an oriental country was rich and powerful, but he was not happy. He therefore went to consult a wise old man on this subject. The old man said:

"Happiness is a very rare thing in this world, but I know the way to find it."

"How shall I find it?" asked the king.

"Oh, it is quite simple," answered the old man, "you have only to put on the shirt of a happy man."

The king thanked the old man and began to look for the talisman. He visited most of the capitals of the world, met kings, writers, professors, actors, doctors, and others, but they were not happy.

At last he came back to his country.

One day he saw a poor peasant with a happy look on his face who was working in a field and singing. He went up to the peasant and said: "My good fellow, are you happy?"

"Quite happy," answered the peasant.

"Would you like to change places with a king?"

"Not for the world."

"Well, then," said the king, "sell me your shirt."

"My shirt?" answered the peasant in astonishment. "I haven't got one."

1. Where did the king live?

2. What king was he?

3. Was he happy?

4. Whom did he consult?

5. What did the wise man say about happiness?

6. What did the old man advise him to do?

7. Where did the king go to look for happiness?

8. Could he find happiness?

9. Where did he find a happy man?

10. What was he?

11. Could he sell his shirt to the king?