# The budgie's gone on holiday

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-budgie-gone-on-holiday
- Themes: honesty, death, childhood, parents
- Life situations: talking to children about death, white lies

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Aged about four or five, Ajahn Brahm asks where the budgie is; Dad says it's gone on holiday. The child sees through it: no — he's died. Don't lie to me.

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

Where's the budgy, daddy?" And daddy said, "Oh, he's gone on holiday." I said, "No, he's not. He's died, hasn't he?" I I sused out my dad pretty quickly. Don't lie to me, Dad. He's died

## Teaching point

Even small children can smell a comforting lie; honesty respects them.

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

Told the budgie had gone on holiday, four-year-old Ajahn Brahm replied: no, he died; don't lie to me. Children see through comforting fibs. He also loves that former monks keep returning to his monastery. Be honest with those you care for, and leave the cage door open. Freedom brings people back.

## Source

- [Dealing With a Loved Ones's Suffering | Ajahn Brahm | 05-11-2010](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO-I2TBeOV4) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 19:30 to 19:46: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO-I2TBeOV4&t=1170s