Millionaire Tom Crowley lives and prospers in Bagdad-on-the-Subway (better known as New York City), and calls himself a caliph. The author notes: “In these times, to be called a caliph you must have money.” Crowley possesses “$42,000,000 in preferred stocks and bonds with solid gold edges.”
Yet even with all of this wealth, he is unsatisfied. He has grown tired of his usual clubs, friends, restaurants, and entertainment, and decides to go on an adventure in the city.
A Contented Life
Meanwhile, a young worker, James Turner, nears the close of his workday at a hat-cleaning business. After standing all day, his feet are tired, and he thinks about home, where he can take his shoes off, put his feet up on his cool iron bed, and read a nautical tale by Clark Russell. Though he only makes 12 dollars a week, Turner is perfectly content.Today, as he heads home, he decides to stop at a local bookshop. He hopes to find at least one book by his favorite author in the sales rack.
However, Turner’s perusal of titles in the shop is interrupted when Crowley passes by. Seeing this poor young man searching through the bookstands, Crowley assumes he would like some money. He descends on the young man, “a worthy object of his caliphanous mood.”
The millionaire greets Turner, but Turner immediately looks upon him with a suspicious eye and tells him that he does not want to buy anything. Crowley, though a little taken aback by this harsh response, assures Turner that he is, in fact, a millionaire who is very willing to give Turner money and a paid education.
Turner, annoyed that this so-called caliph will not leave him alone, turns and hits him with a strong left hook. This assault infuriates the generous caliph, who quickly retaliates. Before either knows what is going on, both Turner and Crowley end up in jail. This is where the young man teaches Crowley the true meaning of contentment.
Through this rather comical story, O. Henry shows that many people think that being happy has to do with money and achieving all that money can buy. And yet the happiest and most contented person is one with the simplest needs.
As Socrates says in a collection called, “Essential Thinkers—Socrates”: “Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.” When we learn to be content with the simple things in life, we become richer than any millionaire caliph.
As life fills our lungs and the sun shines on our faces, let us be thankful for the simple things. With a good book, a good cup of coffee, a beautiful garden, and a contented heart, we are richer than caliphs.
