Michael Palin reads a letter to a friend after the loss of their leg

In 1918, whilst serving in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers during World War I, Irish author St. John Ervine suffered an injury that resulted in the amputation of a leg. Soon after, he received a letter of support from his friend, George Bernard Shaw.

Michael Palin joined us to read Shaw's letter at Letters Live at London's Union Chapel back in 2017.

© George Bernard Shaw

[jhudson]

I had the pleasure to meet a soldier who lost a leg in Somalia in the 90's. He made up a list of 100 reasons he was better off without the leg: A pair of socks would last twice as long. He could never get athletes feet, only athletes foot. etc, etc. He had previously been a member of the Golden Knights (The US Army Parachute Team) and he said he was going back. He was told they had never taken an amputee. He said, "I know, I'm going to be the first!". He was.
Humor is incredibly important.

[Namdor]

"For a man of your profession two legs are an extravagance" what a quip..lol..

[scroggins]

Reminds me of when I broke my leg and was in a wheel chair.. I do not make a good patient. One day the wife was pushing me around the town and I was in a foul mood. Eventually, we came to a pedestrian crossing and I swore at the lady who could not seem to press the button. My wife leaned forward and whispered "One more word from you and I will push you under the first bus we see". I shut up.

[AndySalinger]

This was a great reading, but I specifically came here for an argument!

[alexacharney]

No one better to read this particular communication.

[mlascelles]

So funny and also poignant. Humour and grief have such a delicate but vitally important relationship. I can imagine the reader having the most tearful belly laugh of his life.

[vicbrava]

I wish I could show this to my grandpa, who passed twelve years ago. He was a WWII veteran himself who unfortunately lost the use of right leg after shattering his hip from a bad fall down the stairs in late 70's. He tried getting hip replacements but they weren't good in those days and tended to fail, and it did. He lived the rest of his life, three decades, on crutches. He managed quite well despite it all though.

[pyroMaximilian]

This intersection of two such great talents is an extravagance and a welcome one at that. Thank you!

[janespond]

I'm hearing this for tge first time 7 years after the reading😊
How wonderful YouTube is!

[somedutchguy]

"Woke up this morning; One sock too many!"

[octavaluna]

I adore how all the comments under these videos turn into prosaic entonations. And I read them in such an accent in my head as well.

[redbarchetta]

It's all about perspective. LOVE IT!

[MiceAndMinecraft]

as a wheelchair user, albeit with 2 legs, which are only partially useful around the house: legs are overrated (and wheelchairs are awesome)

[cliveambrose]

"I've got nothing against your right leg..."

[WillScarlet]

Because of course, Michael DID play Shaw in Monty Python's 'Oscar Wilde' sketch.

[tA-bcrw]

Great delivery but an award to the writ. What wit!

[retrorampage]

the time between sock laundry days has just doubled.

[shellchenonceau]

In 1918, whilst serving in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers during World War I, Irish author St. John Ervine suffered an injury that resulted in the amputation of a leg. Soon after, he received a letter of support from his friend, George Bernard Shaw.

Michael Palin joined us to read Shaw's letter at Letters Live at London's Union Chapel back in 2017.

[matsfreedom]

The guy born with 3 legs is thoroughly outraged.

[matthew-Williams]

Thats my local church, Union Chapel along Upper street in Islington.