# “What if a tree did not fall when we were underneath it?”

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-pooh-piglet-tree-did-not-fall
- Themes: fear, anxiety, positive thinking
- Life situations: anxiety about the future, catastrophising, fear of disaster

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Walking home from Rabbit's house through a storm, little Piglet freezes as trees crash around them: “What would happen if a tree fell down when we were underneath it?” After a second's fear, Pooh replies: “What would happen if a tree did not fall when we were underneath it?” — and they walk home safely.

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

So Winnie-the-Pooh was with his friend, Piglet. And Piglet was a very small being. Very kind. Very loyal. But being very small, was usually subject to a lot of fear. And then one day, they were walking back from Rabbit's house in a storm like we had today and yesterday. And as they were walking through the forest, trees were coming down around them, branches were crashing to the floor and even whole trees were being ripped off and smashing around them. That was very dangerous. So dangerous, so scary, that little Piglet could stand it no longer. He froze and he looked at his best friend, Winnie-the-Pooh, and said these words: "I can't go on any longer. I just can't. What would happen? What would happen if a tree fell down when we were underneath it?" And that was a possibility. And for a second, but only a second, the great philosopher and enlightened bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, was afraid, but only for a second. And then his wisdom kicked in and he looked at his terrified friend and replied with these reassuring words: "What would happen if a tree did not fall when we were underneath it? And that was also possible. In fact, even more possible. And that was the key to overcoming little Piglet's fear so he could move on with the thought, "What would happen if a tree did not fall when we were underneath it?" And that's exactly what happened, so he could go back safely.

## Teaching point

Fear is “what would happen if…” followed by something bad; its antidote is “what would happen if…” followed by something good, which is often more likely.

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

Piglet froze: what if a tree fell on us? Pooh, after one second of fear, turned it around: what if a tree didn't fall on us? Both were possible, and the second was more likely. When your mind starts a 'what if' about tomorrow, try finishing it with something good. It's often more realistic, and you'll walk home steadier.

## Source

- [Letting Go of Fear | Ajahn Brahm | 22-05-2009](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7rFsrdtMM8) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 2:50 to 5:05: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7rFsrdtMM8&t=170s

Other tellings of this story:

- [Dealing with Tiredness | Ajahn Brahm | 19 Feb 2016](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeCrEw1Bbj4) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 36:11 to 39:40: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeCrEw1Bbj4&t=2171s
- [Menangani Kelelahan | Ajahn Brahm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOBRm2Qb9ew) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 36:11 to 39:35: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOBRm2Qb9ew&t=2171s
- [Dealing With Anxiety | Ajahn Brahm | 31 January 2020](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MRPqISIZ3M) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 9:52 to 11:44: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MRPqISIZ3M&t=592s
- [Mindfulness and Productivity | Ajahn Brahm | 6 February 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO0A43r2r1Y) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 7:11 to 8:10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO0A43r2r1Y&t=431s
- [Fundraising event for Ajahn Brahm’s 900th (75th) birthday celebration](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk9JO-LvDRM) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 10:21 to 10:54: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk9JO-LvDRM&t=621s
- [Meditation in Trying Times - Armadale Meditation Group | Ajahn Brahm | 17 May 2022](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-REkEnSRIc) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 18:58 to 20:38: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-REkEnSRIc&t=1138s
- [Wie man mit Müdigkeit umgeht | Ajahn Brahm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC7qMBilP9M) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 37:33 to 38:45: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC7qMBilP9M&t=2253s