The Caliph, Cupid and The Clock by O'Henry 9 out of 10

 The Caliph, Cupid and The Clock by O'Henry

9 out of 10

Prince Michael, of the Electorate of Valleluna, is one of the heroes of this short story.

That is, if he is really the representative of Valleluna, which may or may not even exist.

He is sitting on a bench in the park and his appearance will not encourage someone to think of majesty, aristocracy.

His beard has three colors in it and the hat looks ludicrous.

But we are told by the author that he is as rich as Croesus and he could buy all the buildings that he sees in front of him, in this part of Manhattan.

Of course, a reader who has finished a few of the writer's narratives would expect surprises.

In another account from this collection that has Cupid in it, the happy end is attributed to the little archer.

In fact, at the end we see that it was not Cupid, or not only his influence, but the money that the father spent in order to obtain a major blockage on the streets of New York that gave his son the opportunity to talk for an hour or more and therefore convince the woman he loved to be his wife.

O'Henry is right in assessing that jewels, estates, gold and treasures do not bring happiness.

The prince is involved in acts of kindness.

Psychologists have proved that money make the difference when people are poor, in places like Somalia, Darfur and the list is long.

But studying lottery winners and the happiest people has demonstrated that millions do not change happiness set points.

There is a phenomenon called Hedonic Adaptation and it means that we adapt to new watches, clothes, cars and negative experiences.

If we want to be happy, we should take the example of Prince Michael and get involved in acts of kindness.

I am not at all sure that his highness has the money or the title he pretends.

But he does change the life of a young man.

The prince sees that this stranger is very unhappy and looks at the big clock in the vicinity with chagrin.

The aristocrat offers his help in a very sophisticated, flamboyant style.

He mentions that he is the prince of Valleluna and that he can help anyone.

Doubtful, the young man tellers his story, after the royalty insists...

He has done something wrong and went to his girlfriend to apology and ask for forgiveness.

She said that she will think it over and it will either be a complete pardon or she will not see him again.

Nothing in the middle would do.

The answer will be a scarf that will appear at the window, if she accepts his apology.

It is now ten minutes to nine and the scarf was absent.

The prince is optimistic, which is always a good thing for these ad the people who live longer, healthier, successful lives.

This story may even prove this point.

Nevertheless, the young man is cynical and states that this girl has never been late.

-          Never!

And this was in fact one of the first and important aspects that had attracted him to this beauty.

Look, I will give you $ 100,000 when you marry and a huge mansion as a wedding gift.

Don't worry about clocks and time...watches are shackling us. You have to promise not to have any watch or clock in the palace that I will give you!

Shall I say what happens next?

I guess I better not.

Suffice it to say that there is a surprise, which may have to be expected in the tales of this humorous, intriguing writer.