# The odd-job man

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Joke
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-joke-odd-job-man
- Themes: humour
- Life situations: needing a laugh

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

The Dhammaloka subcommittee hire an odd-job man and give him ten jobs. He completes only jobs number one, three, five, seven and nine. He was the odd-job man.

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

So, they hired an odd job man to come in and help. And Bill just you know was organizing looking after the place sort of he gave the odd job man 10 jobs to do. The odd job man only completed job number one number three number five number seven and number nine. He was the odd job man.

## Teaching point

Told as a 'test' of his jokes; a light moment showing fun has a place in spiritual life.

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

The odd-job man was given ten jobs and finished numbers one, three, five, seven and nine. Ajahn Brahm admits his jokes haven't improved. Still, laughter has a place in spiritual life. A light heart, and a kind request, will get the kitchen redone far sooner than complaining.

## Source

- [Power of Kindness | Ajahn Brahm | 22 October 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHXlaUjymZU) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 43:04 to 43:36: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHXlaUjymZU&t=2584s