# Lakshmi's knitted socks on Friday night

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-lakshmi-knitted-socks-friday-night
- Themes: kindness, generosity, community, humour
- Life situations: receiving gifts, making someone happy

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Before a Friday talk Lakshmi gave him hand-knitted socks he rarely wears; he put them on anyway, and during the talk she delighted that he was wearing her socks — kindness making both happy.

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

she gave me a pair of socks. I never wear socks. Very, very, very, very, very rarely, but she gave me some socks. She knitted them herself. So, I put them on for the Friday night talk. And during the Friday night talk, you know, it's just I'm getting old. You have to move every now and again. And I was moving and I just put a foot out with a sock on. And I remember you actually you said he's wearing my socks. He's wearing my socks

## Teaching point

Receive a gift so the giver can enjoy having given.

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

A supporter knitted Ajahn Brahm socks he rarely wears, but he put them on for his Friday talk. Spotting them, she whispered delightedly that he was wearing her socks. Receiving graciously is a gift too. When you're sick or struggling, let others care for you. It gives them joy.

## Source

- [Dealing With a Loved Ones's Suffering | Ajahn Brahm | 05-11-2010](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO-I2TBeOV4) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 38:59 to 39:33: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO-I2TBeOV4&t=2339s

Other tellings of this story:

- [The Value of Trust | Ajahn Brahm | 10 Feb 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiohzd0zgIQ) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 43:54 to 44:07: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiohzd0zgIQ&t=2634s
- [Relax to the Max | Ajahn Brahm | 15 December 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0IpS91JEsk) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 14:10 to 15:04: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0IpS91JEsk&t=850s
- [Giving and Accepting Generosity | Ajahn Brahm | 26 February 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYhQrye8O4A) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 38:05 to 39:26: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYhQrye8O4A&t=2285s
- [Serve and Be Hopey](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J12Sc1d9JeE) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 49:35 to 49:55: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J12Sc1d9JeE&t=2975s