# May you get whatever you want as soon as you want it

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-arab-curse-get-whatever-you-want
- Themes: desire, humour, wisdom, suffering
- Life situations: wanting, contentment

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Middle-Eastern friend: second-worst curse is fleas of a thousand camels in your armpits; worst is getting whatever you want immediately.

## The story, as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

two worst curses in the Arab world. And the worst curse you can second worst curse you can give to somebody was to wish somebody "May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits." [laughter] The fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits. That's pretty gross. But worse than that was "May you get whatever you want as soon as you want it

## Teaching point

Instant gratification can be a worse curse than fleas.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

A Middle Eastern curse wishes the fleas of a thousand camels in your armpits. Worse still: may you get whatever you want as soon as you want it. Oscar Wilde agreed: there are two tragedies, not getting what you want, and getting it. Wanting less is the real blessing.

## Source

- [Word of the Buddha (Part 1) | Ajahn Brahm | 22 January 2023](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0Z8bgVlumE) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 40:13 to 40:51: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0Z8bgVlumE&t=2413s