The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
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was to be his. And his father dying had said, “Life is so beautiful.” Michael could never 
remember his father ever having uttered a word about death, as if the Don respected 
death too much to philosophize about it. 
It was time for the cemetery. It was time to bury the great Don. Michael linked his arm 
with Kay’s and went out into the garden to join the host of mourners. Behind him came 
the caporegimes followed by their soldiers and then all the humble people the Godfather 
had blessed during his lifetime. The baker Nazorine, the widow Colombo and her sons 
and all the countless others of his world he had ruled so firmly but justly. There were 
even some who had been his enemies, come to do him honor. 
Michael observed all this with a tight, polite smile. He was not impressed. Yet, he 
thought, if I can die saying, “Life is so beautiful,” then nothing else is important. If I can 
believe in myself that much, nothing else matters. He would follow his father. He would 
care for his children, his family, his world. But his children would grow in a different 
world. They would be doctors, artists, scientists. Governors. Presidents. Anything at all. 
He would see to it that they joined the general family of humanity, but he, as a powerful 
and prudent parent would most certainly keep a wary eye on that general family. 
* * *
On the morning after the funeral, all the most important officials of the Corleone Family 
assembled on the mall. Shortly before noon they were admitted into the empty house of 
the Don. Michael Corleone received them. 
They almost filled the corner library room. There were the two caporegimes, Clemenza 
and Tessio; Rocco Lampone, with his reasonable, competent air; Carlo Rizzi, very quiet, 
very much knowing his place; Tom Hagen forsaking his strictly legal role to rally around 
in this crisis; Albert Neri trying to stay physically close to Michael, lighting his new Don’s 
cigarette, mixing his drink, all to show an unswerving loyalty despite the recent disaster 
to the Corleone Family. 
The death of the Don was a great misfortune for the Family. Without him it seemed that 
half their strength was gone and almost all their bargaining power against the 
Barzini-Tattaglia alliance. Everyone in the room knew this and they waited for what 
Michael would say. In their eyes he was not yet the new Don; he had not earned the 
position or the title. If the Godfather had lived, he might have assured his son’s 
succession; now it was by no means certain. 
Michael waited until Ned had served drinks. Then he said quietly, “I just want to tell 

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