Gather in a standing circle. Choose one volunteer to be the "Darling" and stand in the center of the circle. This person's goal is to get someone else in the circle to smile or laugh. If this person succeeds, the one who smiled becomes the new "Darling." The original "Darling" rejoins the circle.

The "Darling" gets others to smile by approaching someone in the circle and saying, "Darling, if you love me, won't you please, please smile." The "Darling" can make funny faces, use silly voices, tell jokes, or use other means to get the person to smile, but physically touching the person is not allowed.

The person who has been approached must respond by saying, "I am sorry, darling. I love you, but I just can't smile," without smiling before or during this statement. If the person succeeds, the "Darling" must try to make someone else smile. If the person smiles, however, the two exchange places and the person who smiled becomes the new "Darling."