Chapter One

This tale begins as many other famous cautionary tales do – “Once upon a time.” Once upon a time there was a very ordinary man who happened to go by the name Mr. Happy. Mr. Happy had a lovely wife and two exceptional children. His wife, unsurprisingly, was named Lovely, and his two children were Strong and Pretty, though everyone knew them by their nicknames Steve and Polly.

As happens so often in these tales, Mr. Happy had an unexpected adventure one afternoon. He was driving home from work, minding his own business, when he came upon an old man standing beside the road. Considering himself basically kind and considerate, Mr. Happy stopped to see if he could help in some way.

The old man shook Mr. Happy’s hand and said, “Since you have so graciously entertained an angel unaware, I have been granted to give you anything you request.”

Mr. Happy had heard about such miraculous encounters on late night radio programs and in the popular press. He had even heard a couple testimonies at church that bespoke the possibility of angelic encounters. Still, he didn’t want to get caught in a genie’s trap, as so often happens in tales like these. He knew very well the story of King Solomon asking God for wisdom, and getting much more than he asked for. But Mr. Happy didn’t feel he was in Solomon’s league. He thought for awhile, and then it came to him. He would ask for something that would benefit his
whole family.

“Sir,” he said, not being exactly sure how to address a supposed angel, “Could you make my family the happiest family in the whole world?”

The ancient man smiled in a kindly but knowing way. “Are you sure that is what you want? Stories are very seldom written about sublimely happy families,” he seemed to warn.

“It doesn’t matter,” Mr. Happy said. “We are a very ordinary family. No one would write a story about us anyway.”

With a gently reproving look that indicated “You don’t understand the way of things,” the ancient man said, “Every great story has been written about someone very ordinary.” He hesitated as if to give Mr. Happy an opportunity to change his mind. “But no matter,” he said a moment later. He looked off to the far horizon for sometime. Mr. Happy wondered if he was expected to respond in some particular way, but he just stood there quietly.

In time, the old man said, “My master has granted your request, but you may not feel it for awhile.”

Mr. Happy’s eyes lit up, full of expectancy. “Thank you, sir, thank you!” He could hardly wait to get home and tell the family. “If you are all right now, I’ll be on my way.” The man nodded.

Mr. Happy ran quickly to his own car parked a bit down the road. As he opened the door, he turned back for one last wave at the kindly, and probably eccentric old man, but he and his car were gone– nowhere in sight.

“I was probably so lost in my own excitement that I didn’t hear him drive off,” Mr. Happy thought. “Wow! No one will believe this,” but his heart was bursting with faith in the divine reality of the old man’s promise as he got in his own car and headed home. He played numerous scenarios in his mind about what he would do when he got home. He wasn’t sure exactly how to share his story so that the rest of the family would understand. Most likely, reality would unroll
itself, and he wouldn’t have to worry about it.

His wife greeted him as he came through the door. “You’re a little late, Harold. Dinner is already on the table, so hurry up and wash.”

He set down his briefcase and went to the kitchen sink to wash his hands. Lovely would understand his tardiness as soon as she heard his story. Strong and Pretty were already at the table waiting as he dried his hands and sat down. He looked at the steaming roast on the table and rubbed his hands together in anticipation. “That looks great, Honey!”

“Thanks. I’m glad it didn’t burn while we were waiting for you,” she said in a gentle but chiding tone.

“Well, I had to help an old man with a flat tire, and it took some time.”

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Lovely said. “Was he okay?”

Harold was touched by his wife’s concern for the old gentleman. “Yes, everything was fine in the end. In fact, it was more than fine in the end.”

“What do you mean, ‘more than fine,’ Dad?” Strong chimed in. “Did he give you some reward money or something?”

Here was the natural opening for him to tell the entire tale. He told about seeing the man and his car in the ditch. He told about changing the tire and getting the car back up on the road. Then he told about what the old man said to him.

“He told me since I had entertained an angel unaware, he could grant me a request.”

“How odd! Did you believe him?” Lovely asked.

“For some reason I did. I mean, I do. There was something about him that made his promise ring true,” Harold said quietly.

Strong and Pretty looked at each and almost simultaneously shouted, “So what did you ask for?” They obviously held more of the magical genie view of the situation.

“I took my time and really thought about it. I wanted something lasting and something that would benefit all of us.”

“Did you ask for a new SUV?” Strong inquired expectantly. “We could all use a nice big vehicle to get us around to my sporting events in style. We’d have all that room for equipment and picnic stuff. It’d be great.”

“No, Stupid. I’m sure he didn’t ask for that,” Pretty interjected. “It would just wear out and Dad said he asked for something that would last. I’m sure he must have asked for a bigger house in a better neighborhood. Then we would have room to entertain all our friends in style. We could be the ones to throw the big parties.”

Strong just rolled his eyes.

“Let’s let Dad finish his story,” Lovely said. She had her own views of what would have made an suitable request.

“Yeah, Dad. What was it you asked for?” Strong urged.

Harold waited momentarily for dramatic effect. “The happiest family in the world.”

The family responded with thoughtful silence, mentally cataloging the nearly infinite possibilities they believed were now open to them as they considered what things would make each of them happy.

“Then what did he say, Honey?” Lovely finally asked.

“He said the request was granted but that we might not feel it for awhile. I’m not too sure what he meant by that, but I guess we will find out.”

“Dad, how do we get what will make us happy?” Pretty asked, looking off dreamily.

“He didn’t really say. But since he indicated that he is an angel, maybe we just have to
request it like in a prayer or something.”

“I guess we can give it a try,” Strong said, his mind already full of things to ask for. “You had a great idea, Dad. We didn’t get stuck with just one request; we can get as much ‘happiness’ as we want!” He was almost licking his lips in anticipation.

“Well, we’ll see,” Harold concluded. “Remember, we don’t know how long this will take to kick in, or even what it will look like to be the happiest family.”

They all had a lot on their minds when they went to bed that night. They didn’t want to be cavalier about a divine promise of happiness, but a promise is a promise, they all seemed to reason.

Strong thought about the track meet coming up the next day. “It sure would make me happy if I won that meet,” he thought. “But I’d better not have any expectations since the meet is tomorrow, and that might be too soon for anything to happen.” He finally drifted off to sleep with visions of medals before his closed eyes.

The next morning the whole family piled into their old minivan. “Maybe Strong was right; we could use a new SUV for outings like this,” Harold said. “So what are your prospects today, Strong? Do you think you will place in any of the events?”

“I don’t know, Dad. The other school has a pretty strong team. I could place in the 400 meter; that’s my best event. I don’t think I will do very well in the long jump, hurdles, or the high jump. I know one thing though; it would make me very happy if I did.” Strong smiled broadly.

The Happy family found a good place to set up their canvas chairs so they could see a wide variety of events taking place on the field. Strong went off to join his team.

Strong’s first event was the 400. He lined up with the other contestants at the starting line. He was right next to his teammate Josh, who usually took first place. Josh looked over at Strong and said, “Good luck!” Strong nodded just as the starter yelled, “Get set!” Then they were all off and running.

Strong ran as he had never run before. He fairly flew around the track. He didn’t have to pass anyone because he was solidly in the lead the entire race. He burst across the finish line. He thought he had never felt so happy. The angel’s promise must have only taken a night, he thought.

Josh jogged up to Strong in the cool down. “Wow! Where did that come from, Strong? You were so far ahead I could barely see you. I didn’t even place, and that’s my best event,” he panted in amazement.

“Yeah! I amazed myself,” he said, thinking better of going any further with a story about an angel.

“Well, anyway, I guess we all have good days and bad days,” Josh said. Strong noticed a little sag to Josh’s shoulders and a slight downcast to his eyes. He almost felt a little sad for Josh’s sake, but quickly remembered his own elation, as he jogged off for the long jump.

By the end of the day, Strong had taken three firsts and one second in his events and had the highest individual point total at the meet.

“Hey, Strong. You made us all pretty happy today,” Harold said as he patted his son on the back.

“Yeah, I guess I did,” Strong said with a big smile. But inwardly he was still slightly bothered by his friend’s sadness and loss of confidence.

“You’re a real angel!” his sister added with a knowing wink. “I wonder what will make me happy when it’s my turn.”

The glow of accomplishment hung over the family the entire evening. Toward bedtime Pretty’s phone pinged with a text message. She mindlessly picked it up to see what it was.

“Hey, guess what?! My youth group has selected me to be the Spring Flower Princess at the youth banquet next Saturday. I’m so happy! That mean’s I’ll get a new dress too, doesn’t it, Mother? That would really make me happy,” Pretty said winsomely.

“I guess the Happy family is getting more than its fair share of happiness these days,” Harold said with a smile. He was happy for his children, but at the same time wondered what, if anything, would come his way personally.

Lovely had a wonderful time shopping with Pretty for an appropriate dress for a Spring Flower Princess. It had to be something ruffly, colorful, and obviously floral. Pretty looked good in pastel colors and would make a lovely princess. Some careful planning would be necessary, however, because Strong had another track meet scheduled for that Saturday as well.

Throughout the week, Strong found himself avoiding Josh at practice. He kept thinking of the look of dashed expectations in Josh’s eyes. “Maybe I could win again, but maybe Josh could win too. I think that would really make me happy,” he thought. He had a growing sense that happiness wasn’t to be found in one static attainment. Maybe he could share it like his dad had.

That Saturday, Pretty’s clothes were prepared and ready for a quick change after the track meet. The family once again headed for the field of competition. On this occasion the 400 meter race was at the end of the meet. Coming into the final race, the boys on Strong’s team were dead even on points. There was much back slapping and jovial congratulating just before the final event. If nothing else, they felt a a heightened sense of drama since everything hung on the results of the last race.

Strong thought, “I want to win but I don’t want my teammates to be devastated again this week. Oh, I hope I can be happy about this race. I really want to be happy.”

Then something happened that had never happened before, and which has never happened since. In fact, I think it only happens in tales like this. From the time the race began through to the very end, it was as if all of the runners were strapped to a pole that was moving around the track. No one fell back, but neither did anyone pull ahead. When they crossed the finish line, the judges could do nothing but declare that the race was a six-way tie.

“Now that was weird!” Josh said in a hushed and shaky voice.

“I know, wasn’t it?!” Strong replied in kind. “I can’t understand how it happened.”

“Me either. How does it work for determining the winner of the meet?”

“I don’t know. We were all tied going in, and now we are still all tied coming out. I guess we ALL win.”

“Or we all lose, if you look at it another way,” Josh said realistically. “There really was no winner. I kind of feel like, what was the point of all that hard work?”

Strong knew what he meant. In one way he was happy that no one got crushed, but there was no sense of fulfillment or satisfaction.”

“Isn’t there something in the Bible about everyone runs a race, but only one wins, so you have to run hard to win? Didn’t Coach talk about that at our team Bible study? I mean, I know it was about life and not just about races, but still… All I can say is that race was weird.”

Strong thought, “Maybe the angel was right. Maybe the happiness part is taking awhile to kick in.” After the meet, Pretty was in a flurry of happy activity to get ready to be Spring Flower Princess. Everything was just right. Her hair was perfect. Her face was perfect. Her dress was perfect. Her shoes were perfect. To sum up, she was perfectly happy, which spilled over onto the rest of the family as they piled into the car yet again.

They pulled up to the door of the church to let Pretty out. Several other families arrived at the same time and were making their way into the church fellowship hall.

“Oh, Pretty! You look so beautiful. You are the perfect princess. I love your dress,” Martina exclaimed. “I saw that dress in the window downtown, and I asked my folks if I could have it. But Dad said we didn’t have money for a new one. I’m glad you got it though.”

Pretty thought about how nice Martina would have looked in the dress. Pretty thought about how Martina’s family would have been happy just to have enough money for the dress. Her dad had been out of work for several weeks, and they were happy to have a little food! But she would put those thoughts away. She was the Flower Princess and she was going to be happy about it.

All of the young people had a pleasant time. Pretty was appropriately crowned with a garland of fresh flowers. The food was festive. The parents all enjoyed the youthful vigor and beauty of their offspring. Some of the boys couldn’t seem to get past discussing the very weird track meet. But apart from that, happiness was running high.

Back at home, Lovely said, “You looked wonderful in your new dress, Dear. I’m glad you will have it to wear to the graduation parties that you’re sure to be invited to.”

“Thanks, Mom. It was perfect.”

“You looked very happy up at the head table.”

“Yeah, it was special all right.” Her voice and posture belied her words. She knew in her heart that she had gotten everything she wanted out of the event– attention, adulation, glamor, and even a new dress. But she couldn’t get Martina’s sweet spirit and sweet face out of her thoughts.

“Mom, I don’t want you to think I am ungrateful, but I have been thinking about how expensive that dress was. Do you think we could take it back and get a refund? I think the money would make me happier than the dress.”

“I don’t think the department store will take it back since you wore it for your event. I think you had better just keep it and enjoy it.”

Pretty had been thinking of giving the price of the dress to Martina’s family. She even thought about how she could give it anonymously. But she knew her mom was right about returning the dress. Maybe she could have the dress cleaned and give it to Martina as a gift. Even thinking about giving it away brought more happiness to Pretty than she had had all evening, when she thought about it honestly. Grabbing and holding onto happiness was trickier than she
first thought.

Sunday evening, the whole family was together in the Happy living room. Church services were done for the day. They had enjoyed a sumptuous dinner together. There was an air of restful relaxation in the room. Harold surveyed the happy scene. Lovely was perusing a home decorating magazine. Strong was playing an on-line game with a remote friend. Pretty was conversing with a classmate through text messages about the requirements for a school assignment. And he was dozing on and off while reading the Sunday paper, the only edition that still came to the house the
old-fashioned way.

“What a happy scene! I am a blessed man,” Harold thought. But still at the back of his mind, he wondered if there were any special boons he could expect from the angel’s promise. He was soon to find out. Monday morning, his boss called him into the inner office.

“Harold, you have been an extremely loyal and productive employee. We are going to be opening a new branch office on the west side of town. We were wondering if you would consider being the manager of the new office? It would mean a promotion, a substantial raise, and you would need to move to that side of town so you would be close to the office when we have special needs.”

It was all too much! More money, more prestige, a better part of town. His wife could have her dream house at last.
“I’d be a fool to turn it down!” Harold said enthusiastically.

“Well, all of the equipment is already in place at the new branch. Some of the hard files and office furniture are going to be moved this week. Ideally, we would like you to be over there by next week. You might have to find a rental home for your family temporarily. I don’t think it will work for you to be commuting an hour each way. You know, sometimes there’s a problem with one of the machines and they need a trouble shooter on site as quick as possible.”

“Yeah, I absolutely understand. It has happened over here often enough.” The realities of the new opportunity started swirling around in his mind. He hoped the family would see the benefits of the new job – a new dream house, money for a new SUV, living in a posh neighborhood for a change. He hoped they would be convinced. At first Lovely was completely enchanted. The picture perfect homes in her beloved magazines danced before her eyes. “Do you really think we would be able to afford the Belmont neighborhood, Harold?”

“It would be a little bit of a stretch, but I think we could.”

“Dots will be so happy for me. I will have to host the next Bible study luncheon once we get settled. She will… Wait! How far did you say it is from here?” Lovely asked.

“Oh, it is about an hour’s drive. The new office is about as far west across the city as you can go.”

“Is there any kind of bus service from here to there?” she asked, thinking of her elderly friend Dotty, who didn’t drive anymore.

“There might be, but you’d probably have to make quite a few transfers.” Lovely thought the option would be very impractical. Maybe she could drive over and pick up her friend from time to time. But two hours round trip! She wasn’t sure Dotty would be up to it very often. And who would be able to take her out to buy her groceries? Still, a dream
house in Belmont!

Then she thought about their church commute and the commute for Strong and Pretty to the Christian school. They only had a few more weeks until summer break. But then what?

While he was waiting for supper and for the children to get home, Harold laid back on the sofa and closed his eyes. He envisioned interacting with the employees under his supervision at the new branch office. He envisioned being the revered trouble shooter. He envisioned having the big boss over to his new posh home for dinner. “Yes, the happiest family in the world,” he thought.

Harold briefed the family on their forthcoming blessings. The group was a little more subdued than he would have liked, but on the whole, they seemed to think the new job and all of the necessary changes would be happy.

“Just think!” he said. “We’ll be able to have all of the things you all thought would bring so much happiness when we first received the angel’s promise. It did take a little while for us to realize the full effect.”

“Yeah, you’re right, Dad. It will all be great. We just have to get used to the idea a little. There’s a lot there for us to process, you know.” Strong said more thoughtfully than usual. He was already wondering about how he would tell his team mates that he would probably not be with them in his senior year.

After dinner, Lovely picked up one of her well-worn decorating magazines absentmindedly. She thumbed through it without really looking at the pages, then put it on the coffee table. “I’m going to go call Dotty and see how she is doing.”

“I think I want to go start packing my shoes,” Pretty said, as she stood up to go to her room.

“Yes, indeed, the happiest family in the world!” though Harold, as he sat alone in the living room.

Saturday rolled around bright and sunny for the final home track meet of the season. Strong wondered whether he should tell the team his news before or after the meet. “It shouldn’t be so hard to be happy,” he thought. “I just want to be happy without other people having to pay for it.” He decided to give all his attention to doing his best for his teammates.

At the end of the day, Strong came in third in the hurdles, and didn’t place at all in the other events. Josh won first place in three of his events, including the 400 meter. He was ecstatic, and Strong got very emotional when the team boosted Josh up on their shoulders at the end of the meet as the overall winner. Strong was happier than he had been all season. He had done his best, and now he could celebrate with the happy team.

When the family got home, Pretty continued going through things in her closet and drawers. She found a whole box of clothes she had outgrown. “Perhaps Martina’s sister could use them,” she thought. She found two pairs of shoes she had barely worn and a coordinating purse. “They would be perfect with the princess dress when I give it to Martina.” She filled a trash bag with items that were still in good enough shape to be presentable that she would offer to the
sisters in need. “This is the best part about moving. It makes me happy to think I can help them be happy.”

“How’s your friend Dotty, Honey?” Harold asked.

“She’s okay. She’s happy for us. She knows you’re doing what’s best for your family.”

“I think I am. I should be happy. We should all be happy, but sometimes I have some doubts.”

“What kind of doubts?”

“Oh, just doubts. I wonder if getting the quote-quote good life is what will make us the happiest family in the world. Maybe the angel got it wrong. Maybe I got it wrong. I know it is going to be a wrench for the kids to leave their classmates at the Christian school. I know they can find new friends, but is it really necessary right now? They are so close to being through that phase of life. Then there is your Bible study group and our church involvement. How will our happiness affect Dotty’s?”

Lovely was quiet for a moment. “She said she would look into finding a care home soon. She won’t be able to live on her own if she doesn’t have someone to drive her around. I know I can find someone to take her to church, but not very many people are available during the day like I am.”

“There’s a lot to think about,” Harold said quietly.

After Sunday services the next day, Harold called all the family together. They had all been on such an emotional roller coaster ride since Mr. Happy had met the angel that they hardly knew which way was up when they sat down together.
“After thinking and praying about our situation, well, you know, our situation with our angelic promise of happiness, I’ve come to a difficult decision.”

The whole family seemed to be holding its collective breath.

“I’ve decided to give it up. I am going to pray and tell the Lord that we are just fine the way we are. We don’t need any special favors that will make us the happiest family in the world. I’m going to tell my boss that I can’t take the new position. That will mean we will have to stay here in our old house and drive our old car and wear our old clothes…”

“And take care of our old friends,” Lovely added.

“And take care of the friends we’ve just made,” Pretty chimed in.

“And work hard alongside the people we’ve grown up with,” Strong contributed.

Harold looked at them in amazement.

“Dad, don’t you understand? You have just made us the happiest family in the world,” Strong said with great feeling. “We thought we knew what would make us happy, but we were all wrong. I think we have a better idea now after this past month. I am not sure what Mom and Pretty think, but I’m happy just the way we are.” The others nodded in agreement.

Harold thought about how in the past month they had come to appreciate each other more and had learned to struggle together with problems. They had learned to consider other people’s feelings above their own. They had learned that things are not everything, nor are position and prestige. They had learned that true happiness can’t come through hurting others.

Just before turning out the lights that night, Harold picked up his Bible. It fell open to 1 Timothy chapter 6. As he gently pressed the pages open, his eyes fell on the verse, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

“Mr. Angel,” Harold thought, “You were right. It took a whole month for us to feel the affect of your promise, and I hope we feel it for a good long time.”

He laid his head back on the pillow in the comfortable darkness. “Yes, indeed, we will be the happiest family in the whole world.”

Not the End