Simple Simon walks into a church and asks a priest for advice on how to lead a more fruitful life. “Write down your values and follow them to lead a better life.” advises the priest. Elated, Simple Simon writes down beauty, helping those in need, and empathy.

On leaving the church, Simon passes by a bouquet of beautiful flowers and a woman crying, remembering his list, he immediately tries to console the woman and says, “Don’t worry, there will be better days! I understand the pain you must be going through.” Hearing these words, the woman became infuriated and smacked him in the face, shouting, “How dare you insult me on my wedding day!”. Then the groom chased him down the street.

Feeling a bit roughed up, Simple Simon decided to return to the priest to ask him what to do since he had followed his catechism for a better life by values. On telling the story to the priest, the priest told him that when surrounded by flowers and beauty, he should congratulate people and share their joy. “That is it!”, he exclaimed, “I left out the value of joy!”.

On exiting the cathedral, Simon once again passed by some beautiful flowers. He walks up to those gathered around a large wooden box and shouts, “Oh, what joy! What a grand and wonderful occasion!” The relatives of the deceased chase Simon out of the cemetery down the street.

Simple Simon has not been heard from since.