The weekly column
Article 53, March 2001
Lesson Plan: "The Unhappiest Person in the World"
By Michael Berman
Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Target Audience: Secondary, Adults
Language / Skills Focus: Listening & Predicting
Materials: Photocopies of the story (optional) to hand out to the learners after the telling of the tale
In class
1. Start with a brainstorming session to find out what advice the learners would offer to someone suffering from depression. They can then listen to the tale to see whether their suggestions feature in it.
2. Alternatively, ask the learners to find the answers to the following questions while listening to the tale. They can be written up on the board beforehand or presented on an OHT.
- What was the patient’s problem?
- Who did he turn to as a last resort?
- What were the four suggestions he made?
- Why did the first three suggestions turn out to be unhelpful?
3. After telling the story and checking the answers to the questions, arrange the class into groups of four to predict the ending. Ask a spokesperson from each group to present their suggestions to the class before providing the missing line. (The missing line is " ….. I am the Great Delmonte!")
Acknowledgement
The idea for this story was taken from an anecdote in "The Active Side of Infinity" by Carlos Castaneda (Harper Collins 1998).
THE UNHAPPIEST PERSON IN THE WORLD
Once upon a time there was a man who suffered from severe depression. He went to see the best doctors in the land for money was no object but nobody seemed able to help him. In desperation, as a last resort, he then turned to a leading practitioner of complimentary medicine.
After listening in detail to the patient’s description of his symptoms, the doctor suggested that the patient could find solace, and the end of his suffering, in love. The man, however, responded that love had never been a problem for him and that he was loved perhaps like nobody else in the world.
The doctor then suggested travelling and seeing other parts of the world. However, the poor miserable soul responded, without exaggeration, he had already been everywhere and seen everything there was to see.
"Then how about taking up a new hobby? Something completely different to anything you’ve ever done before. That should do the trick." But it turned out that the patient had tried that too and found no relief.
The doctor began to suspect that the man was an incurable liar. How could he possibly have done all the things he claimed? But being a good healer, the doctor had a final insight.
"Not to worry. I have the perfect solution for you, sir. You must attend a performance of the greatest comedian of our day. He will amuse you to such an extent that you will be cured forever. You must attend a performance of the Great Delmonte."
The man looked at the doctor with the saddest look you can possibly imagine. If that’s your recommendation doctor, then I am truly a lost man and there is no cure for my condition because …………………………………………….
About the Author
For information about Michael and his writings please click here.
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