# The deliberate mistake on the blackboard

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-blackboard-deliberate-mistake
- Themes: mistakes, honesty, school, humour
- Life situations: admitting error, workplace pride

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

School maths teacher, caught in an error on the blackboard, claims he put it there on purpose to check the class was paying attention — 'well done' — modelling how hard it is to admit a real mistake.

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

Blackboard and we pointed out that's wrong you know he made a mistake they said exactly I put that on there on purpose to make sure you were all paying attention you know that the deliberate mistake to keep you all awake

## Teaching point

Pride invents 'deliberate mistakes' rather than saying 'I was wrong'.

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

Caught in an error on the blackboard, a schoolteacher insisted he'd put it there on purpose to keep the class awake. We dodge mistakes because they feel like a personal failure. Ajahn Brahm respects people who admit them. Think better of those who say, I got that wrong, and give yourself the same grace.

## Source

- [Entanglement | Ajahn Brahm | 17 March 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfFCyORlZP4) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 32:52 to 33:08: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfFCyORlZP4&t=1972s