Ever since I was a child, I’ve been terrified of something lurking under my bed at night. The thought of a mysterious presence in the dark filled me with such dread that I finally decided to seek professional help. I went to a psychiatrist and poured my heart out.
The psychiatrist offered a reassuring smile and said, “Just put yourself in my hands for one year. Come talk to me three times a week, and we should be able to get rid of those fears.” “Alright,” I replied, “but how much do you charge?” “$80 per visit,” he answered. I did the math, told him I’d sleep on it, and left.
Six months later, I unexpectedly bumped into the psychiatrist on the street. He looked at me curiously and asked, “Why didn’t you ever come back to see me about those fears?” I grinned and replied, “Well, $80 a visit three times a week for a year is an awful lot of money! A bartender cured me for $10. I was so happy to have saved all that money that I went out and bought a new SUV.”
With a bit of attitude, the psychiatrist asked, “And how, may I ask, did a bartender cure you?” I laughed and said, “He told me to cut the legs off the bed—ain’t nobody under there now!”
It’s a hilarious reminder that sometimes the most effective solutions aren’t found in a textbook, but in a bit of lateral thinking and a saw.
