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Man Travels The World Looking For Happiness Until He Finds It In The Most Unexpected Place

“Wake Me Up At HappyLand” is a short, (almost) wordless picture-story about a man travelling the world in search of the Happy Land. Afraid that he might miss it, he carried a sign with him, reminding others to wake him up at the Happy Land. But no one did, and he continued his wanderings until…

In the story, the man travelled around the world in every conceivable transport (train, taxi, tram, camel, donkey, bicycle, a merry-go-round, and even a hot-air balloon!) Little did he know that because he was sleeping throughout the journey, thus he missed the happiness around him.

I wrote this story to serve as a reminder to myself that happiness in within us, and all around us. That it exist in the small things, so long as we are willing to see it.

“See!
Happiness is right in front of you!
If only
You are willing to open your eyes
And See.”

More info: joseflee.wordpress.com

89Kviews

Josef Lee is a writer / artist based in Singapore. His collection of 'Bedtime Stories for Adults" can be viewed on joseflee.wordpress.com

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Josef Lee is a writer / artist based in Singapore. His collection of 'Bedtime Stories for Adults" can be viewed on joseflee.wordpress.com

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

Baked_Potato 8 years ago

This honestly made me cry.

14points

HenrykTur 8 years ago

Me too.

3points

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JosefLee (Post author) 8 years ago

And your comment brought me a tear of joy too:) It meant so much to me to know that the story managed to touch another soul.

3points

NiamhMcKinney 8 years ago

Same God this is better than anything I've ever read

2points

teresa baker 8 years ago

me too

0points

KillienHuynh 8 years ago

Please publish this awesome picture book

6points

suzemagoo 8 years ago

My thought as well. Really well done drawings. I especially liked that hippy bus and the girl and cat in the tram car.

1point

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GeorgieDrake 8 years ago

Where can I buy it ? I'd really like it as a Christmas present for my boyfriend it's perfect for us it has so many of our little personal jokes hidden inside ! Contact me at georgiedrakenamaste@icloud.com

4points

JosefLee (Post author) 8 years ago

Hi Georgie, thanks for liking the story so much that you like to buy it:) There is no physical book version now, but I do hope to see it published soon. Do continue to check out my website (joseflee.wordpress.com) for new updates.

1point

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PriyankaJatan 8 years ago

This book is honestly beautiful an so creative. It made a tear drip from my eye too:)

3points

JosefLee (Post author) 8 years ago

Thanks so much for your heartwarming comment:) It meant so much to me to know that the story managed to touch another soul.

2points

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YXLeow 8 years ago

reminds me of 几米's work!

2points

JosefLee (Post author) 8 years ago

Thanks YX! That's a really big compliment. I'm a big fan of Jimmy Liao as well, and can only hope to produce art that is as good as his some day.

0points

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MhairiGalloway 8 years ago

wonderful wonderful. THank you!

2points

Tedus 8 years ago

Nice drawings. This looks an awfull lot like illustrations of Le Voyage d'Hector ou la Recherche du bonheur/Hector and the search for happiness - as it is exactly the same idea + conclusion.

1point

JaeYoungLee 8 years ago

Can I translate your priceless work and post it on the internet community I visit? I think Koreans need to look your great idea these days. P.S. Thank you for letting me realize what is the most important thing!

1point

JosefLee (Post author) 8 years ago

Hi Jae Young, yes ple do so:) I've already seen copies of the stories translated into Russian, Spanish etc and shared on various sites. Will hope to share with even more people. Do include a link back to my website at joseflee.wordpress.com

0points

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KmstchSaw 8 years ago

.....*cry*

1point

KmstchSaw 8 years ago

.........*cry*

1point

DavidAlvarez 8 years ago

this is beautiful, made me cry too, I was feeling sad for a crush leaving the country but i discover if a love grows inside me! I have discover a happyland too.

1point

LunaLapilli 8 years ago

THIS IS SO ADORABLE I CAN'T HANDLE IT

1point

JakeFerguson 8 years ago

This is story is amazing. I really hope it gets published so others can see it. Kudos to the author :)

1point

GitaVerma 8 years ago

Very well illustrated

1point

AprilTong 8 years ago

So many comments that I HAVE to add in! Agree that it reminds me of Jimmy Liao. Love his series and love all of yours too Josef! Count us in when u do get your works published! :D

1point

AmandaPherson 8 years ago

I love this. The illustration is breathtaking and the story is so beautiful. I would be honored if this was a book on my shelf

1point

AlyssaSaptheipari 8 years ago

The best article I've read :) That's how it made me feel..so happy...that I wrote my first comment ever on boredpanda. And I love the artwork. Thanks for this.

1point

JosefLee (Post author) 8 years ago

Thanks so much for the very flattering compliment Alyssa! And this is absolutely the best comment I've received :)

1point

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FrimpongPoku-Dankwa 8 years ago

very well illustrated!

1point

Jess 8 years ago

This made me feel so much better

1point

JosefLee (Post author) 8 years ago

Thanks! And your comment made my day:)

0points

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motamanx 8 years ago

Terrific!

1point

Len-eiLang 8 years ago

A great piece of Art

1point

ChristianeGothie 8 years ago

so beautiful drawings ! Thanks.

1point

tiagoobin 8 years ago

So touching <3 I love the style and the meaning of the story. Absolutely beautiful <3

1point

MakenzieSheriff 8 years ago

Beautiful

1point

YingJiunTang 8 years ago

I love this artwork, is a soul touching!Happiness in within us, great artwork reminds me of Jimmy Liao!Happy to be encountered here~wonderful!

0points

YXLeow 8 years ago

reminds me abit of 几米's work!!!

0points

MiyukiNohara 8 years ago

okay

-2points

charlescook 8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

POST

Baked_Potato 8 years ago

This honestly made me cry.

14points

HenrykTur 8 years ago

Me too.

3points

Load More Replies...

JosefLee (Post author) 8 years ago

And your comment brought me a tear of joy too:) It meant so much to me to know that the story managed to touch another soul.

3points

NiamhMcKinney 8 years ago

Same God this is better than anything I've ever read

2points

teresa baker 8 years ago

me too

0points

KillienHuynh 8 years ago

Please publish this awesome picture book

6points

suzemagoo 8 years ago

My thought as well. Really well done drawings. I especially liked that hippy bus and the girl and cat in the tram car.

1point

Load More Replies...

GeorgieDrake 8 years ago

4points

JosefLee (Post author) 8 years ago

1point

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PriyankaJatan 8 years ago

This book is honestly beautiful an so creative. It made a tear drip from my eye too:)

3points

JosefLee (Post author) 8 years ago

Thanks so much for your heartwarming comment:) It meant so much to me to know that the story managed to touch another soul.

2points

Load More Replies...

YXLeow 8 years ago

reminds me of 几米's work!

2points

JosefLee (Post author) 8 years ago

Thanks YX! That's a really big compliment. I'm a big fan of Jimmy Liao as well, and can only hope to produce art that is as good as his some day.

0points

Load More Replies...

MhairiGalloway 8 years ago

wonderful wonderful. THank you!

2points

Tedus 8 years ago

Nice drawings. This looks an awfull lot like illustrations of Le Voyage d'Hector ou la Recherche du bonheur/Hector and the search for happiness - as it is exactly the same idea + conclusion.

1point

JaeYoungLee 8 years ago

1point

JosefLee (Post author) 8 years ago

0points

Load More Replies...

KmstchSaw 8 years ago

.....*cry*

1point

KmstchSaw 8 years ago

.........*cry*

1point

DavidAlvarez 8 years ago

this is beautiful, made me cry too, I was feeling sad for a crush leaving the country but i discover if a love grows inside me! I have discover a happyland too.

1point

LunaLapilli 8 years ago

THIS IS SO ADORABLE I CAN'T HANDLE IT

1point

JakeFerguson 8 years ago

This is story is amazing. I really hope it gets published so others can see it. Kudos to the author :)

1point

GitaVerma 8 years ago

Very well illustrated

1point

AprilTong 8 years ago

So many comments that I HAVE to add in! Agree that it reminds me of Jimmy Liao. Love his series and love all of yours too Josef! Count us in when u do get your works published! :D

1point

AmandaPherson 8 years ago

I love this. The illustration is breathtaking and the story is so beautiful. I would be honored if this was a book on my shelf

1point

AlyssaSaptheipari 8 years ago

The best article I've read :) That's how it made me feel..so happy...that I wrote my first comment ever on boredpanda. And I love the artwork. Thanks for this.

1point