Confessions of a Humorist by O. Henry. Short summary

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The narrator knew how to joke, and was able to get a job at the newspaper, where he ran a humorous column. After a while, the obligation to make jokes becomes a burden on him, and he is glad to leave the newspaper.

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The narrator knew how to tell a good joke, which made him everyone’s favorite. One day a famous newspaper asks him to write for the humor department. The hero’s material was accepted and he began to run his own column. Six months later, he senses that the humor began to lose its spontaneity.

The narrator stopped making his acquaintances laugh; he began to take notes after them, trying to find successful expressions. Soon his acquaintances begin to avoid his company. After that, he tries to find something funny in the remarks of his wife and children.

At the same time, the hero’s capital grows, but the obligation to joke constantly becomes a heavy burden for him. The narrator begins to visit a funeral home, as it is only there that he finds a complete lack of humor. The owner offers to make him a partner.

The delighted hero goes home, and finds a letter from the editorial office. The contract has not been renewed because the quality of the articles has deteriorated. This sad news makes him happy. The change of activity has a positive effect on the man, and he becomes his old self.