# Hopeful a burglar might leave us something

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-father-hopeful-burglar-leave-something
- Themes: contentment, poverty, humour
- Life situations: money worry, family memory

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

In a tiny London council flat, young Brahm asks why they don't lock the door. Father: not afraid of burglars — hopeful one might take pity and leave something.

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

why don't we lock the door when we go out aren't you afraid of burglars?" You know what my father said, he said: "No, I'm not afraid of burglars in fact I'm quite hopeful a burglar might come in take pity on us and leave us something."

## Teaching point

Owning little can free you from fear of loss.

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

In their tiny London council flat, young Ajahn Brahm asked why they never locked the door. His father said he wasn't afraid of burglars; he hoped one might take pity and leave them something. Owning little meant worrying little. Meditate the same way: empty the mind instead of chasing attainments, and peace comes.

## Source

- [Mindfulness and Kindfulness | Ajahn Brahm | 16 April 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXQEYulMi4I) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 13:17 to 13:35: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXQEYulMi4I&t=797s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Wholesome Family Relationships | Ajahn Brahm | 9 February 2024](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0Yy2sz47iY) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 4:47 to 5:12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0Yy2sz47iY&t=287s
- [Ajahn Brahm's Personal Experience of Grief | Ajahn Brahm | 22 May 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4qA0xho_oM) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 5:33 to 6:14: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4qA0xho_oM&t=333s