The World’s Shortest Story With Happy Ending

I can’t quite recall where I read this one or who told me – the world’s shortest story with happy ending! Before ‘penning’ it down, I googled to see if it turns up so I could credit the source appropriately or if there are other contenders for the honor.

One that kept coming up was the familiar:

Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl ‘Will you marry me?’

The girl said, ‘NO!’

So… they lived happily ever after.

Another one, playing on the same theme:

Some people ask the secret of our long marriage…

We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week…

A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing…

She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays…

I’m sure there may be others out there I’ve failed to spot.

Also the one that I had heard did not pop up. Here it is:

Asked for the shortest story with happy ending, a Zen master responded with:

‘He died. His son died. His son died.’

There are three endings in the story!

And making it morbid three times over, I thought.

Well, how then are they happy endings?

The master had explained this was the happiest ending ever possible. Any different ending would not be a happy one.

It meant a son dying before his father’s time.

I did not argue. Of course you may.

End