Humor is an art of living. One cannot acquire or even learn humor. It cannot be explained either. But humor is a blessing for those who possess it. And it is contagious. Laughter and cheerfulness are also contagious. This collection of stories and cartoons by well-known and beloved authors and illustrators proves that. Whether you prefer the intricate smile of irony or the angry laughter of satire, the subtle wit or the comical grotesque: you are warmly invited to let yourself be tempted to smile. Featuring contributions from Thomas Mann, Bertolt Brecht, Heinrich Böll, O. Henry, Siegfried Lenz, Ephraim Kishon, Erich Kästner, Kurt Tucholsky, Knut Hamsun, Lawrence Durrell, Karl Valentin, William Saroyan, Jaroslav Hašek, Jean Giraudoux, Carlo Manzoni, Elke Heidenreich, Hans Werner Richter, Joachim Ringelnatz, Irmgard Keun, Mark Twain, and others.