# Perfect partner? Get a TV — or a dog

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Joke
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-perfect-partner-get-a-tv
- Themes: humour, relationships, expectations
- Life situations: relationships, expectations

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Advice: want someone always there, listening, entertaining, quiet on demand — get a TV; always happy to see you — get a dog; don't expect a human to be that hospital-perfect.

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

perfect partner then just what one person told me years ago if you want a real perfect partner somebody who's always there for you you can always listen to you or sometimes speak to you as always can entertain you there can be quiet when you want them to be quiet then get a TV well if you want someone who's just always happy to see you then get a dog

## Teaching point

The perfect partner is often an appliance or a pet.

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

Want a perfect partner who listens, entertains, and goes quiet on demand? Get a television. Want someone always happy to see you? Get a dog. People will never be perfect. Those you live with, Ajahn Brahm says, are who karma gave you to learn from. Be kind to them, give space, and grow together.

## Source

- [Happy to be Home | Ajahn Brahm | 10 April 2020](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FndNvpCZrNg) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 40:04 to 40:41: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FndNvpCZrNg&t=2404s