# The deathbed confession

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Joke
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-joke-deathbed-confession-poisoned
- Themes: humour, marriage
- Life situations: marriage, infidelity

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

A dying husband confesses to his devoted wife that he hasn't always been a good husband — there was the mistress he never told her about — and yet she was still so kind to him. 'Darling, I know,' says the wife. 'That's why I poisoned you.'

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

There was this um husband and uh he was on his deathbed. His wife was just looking after him. And the wife was the husband was saying, "Now darling, you know, I'm about to die soon. So I really should confess. You know, you've been such a wonderful wife to me. But sometimes I haven't been such a good husband to you. Even just you know, the mistress I had. I never told you about her. But you still were so kind to me." And the wife said, "Darling, I know. That's why I poisoned you.

## Teaching point

A 'naughty joke' told after saying that every partnership eventually ends.

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

A dying husband confessed an affair to his kind wife, who replied that she knew, and that's why she'd poisoned him. Ajahn Brahm hastily adds he's not encouraging that. His point: we ask too much of partners, and of our children. Exams kill by degrees. Expect less, and love the people you have.

## Source

- [The Nature of Suffering | Ajahn Brahm | 10 February 2023](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwvMmZICc1Y) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 16:15 to 17:01: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwvMmZICc1Y&t=975s