Timm Thaler, or The Sold Laughter - James Krüss

Timm Thaler doesn't have much money, but he has a bright, infectious laugh. When he goes to the horse races with his father on Sundays, it doesn't matter that their horse loses - every moment with Dad is wonderful. When his father dies in an accident, Timm's life becomes very sad.

Then a mysterious gentleman appears and offers him a strange wager: his laughter in exchange for the ability to win every bet. Timm agrees - and wins a lot, but loses even more. When he realizes that all the money means nothing if he can't enjoy life, it's almost too late: the mysterious gentleman is none other than Baron Lefuet, a devilish figure who will do anything to keep Timm in his power.

But during his adventures with the Baron, Timm has found good friends. Together they devise a plan to get his laughter back. This children's classic by James Krüss powerfully shows that what truly distinguishes us as human beings is our ability to laugh - at ourselves, at life, and at the wonders of this world.