# Why did the chewing gum cross the road?

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Joke
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-joke-chewing-gum-crossed-road
- Themes: humour, self-forgiveness
- Life situations: needing a laugh

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Riddle he promised to try out: why did the piece of chewing gum cross the road? Because it was stuck to the foot of a chicken. ('I forgive myself every time I tell a joke.')

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

Why did the piece of chewing gum cross the road? [laughter] Why did the piece of chewing gum... People are already just shaking their heads in disbelief I’m saying this. Why did a piece of chewing gum cross the road? Because it was stuck to the foot of a chicken.

## Teaching point

(A bad joke as a lesson in self-forgiveness.)

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

Why did the chewing gum cross the road? It was stuck to the chicken's foot. Ajahn Brahm apologises, then takes it back: he forgives himself every time he tells a joke. That's the real point. If even a jail sentence ends, your guilt can end too. Forgive yourself and let happiness in.

## Source

- [Give Yourself Peace, Kindness and Forgiveness | Ajahn Brahm | 29 January 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--PPWbmzp6M) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 42:45 to 43:08: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--PPWbmzp6M&t=2565s