# The ranger's spot check hit a fire drill

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-ranger-spot-check-during-fire-drill
- Themes: humour, monastery life, preparedness, bushfire
- Life situations: needing a laugh, safety culture

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

After a bushfire-era Fire and Emergency Service certificate (Mitchell Roberts presenting), a shire ranger did an unannounced spot check and found every monk already in fire suits mid-drill — 'Did you know I was coming?' No.

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

the local ranger of our Shire decided to do a spot check on us, on our monastery, you know. Because to make sure we had everything going. And it just so happened that all the monks were in our fire suits, we had a fire and things going, we were doing a drill. It was true. And this ranger just said "Did you guys know I was coming?" I said "No no no no no." And they were in the middle of a drill and he did a spot check

## Teaching point

Prepare so thoroughly that even a surprise inspection looks planned.

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

After the bushfire, the monks prepared so thoroughly that a ranger's surprise inspection found them mid-drill in full fire suits. Had they been tipped off? No. Hard experiences can make us stronger instead of holding us back. In relationships too, difficulties test commitment and teach forgiveness.

## Source

- [Trauma and Tragedy | Ajahn Brahm | 12-02-2010](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVE3nGIC6kI) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 44:05 to 44:37: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVE3nGIC6kI&t=2645s