# Get your wife to cancel if you're dead

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Joke
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-joke-doctor-cancel-if-dead
- Themes: humour, health, bureaucracy
- Life situations: waiting for treatment, dark humour about health

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

A man needing an operation is told the earliest slot is in three months; he protests he might be dead by then. The doctor says don't worry — just get your wife to ring the secretary and cancel the appointment.

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

the guy who went to see his doctor and the doctor said well you know you really need an operation this is dangerous for your health we can schedule you in for three months said the doctor and the man said three months time I can't wait that long I might be dead in 3 months and the doctor said don't worry just get your wife to ring my secretary we'll cancel the appointment

## Teaching point

A bad joke can still tell the truth about how little care sometimes feels like.

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

Told surgery is three months away, a patient protests he might be dead by then. Don't worry, says the doctor; your wife can ring and cancel. A dark joke. Ajahn Brahm then sums up why people do harm: tiredness, narrow empathy, bad company and unwise wants. Rest, widen your circle, and keep good friends.

## Source

- [Why Do People Do Bad Things? | Ajahn Brahm | 17-06-2011](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaEI0Z2tesA) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 51:14 to 51:52: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaEI0Z2tesA&t=3074s