Some individuals, including the narrator, find themselves disenchanted with stories that resolve too happily. They sense a lack of authenticity when harm or strife is not woven into the narrative, believing that positive outcomes can feel undeserved or unrealistic. For these readers, a story's value often lies in its exploration of challenges and the darker facets of existence.

In this context, the narrator reflects on a mild character who arrives in Cremona, only to experience an untroubled sequence of events, from a timely arrival to a delightful dinner. The gentleness of this situation contrasts sharply with the narrator's preference for narratives infused with tension and uncertainty, suggesting a deeper philosophical stance on storytelling and its representations of life.