THE LILY 

(On Telling a Lie) 

Lily Liar: 

“It’s all over now, wooden donkey. I heard the master say he is tired of you. Soon he plans to take you apart board by board, and nail by nail.” 

Augie: 

“Oh, it doesn’t matter, Lily. I have stood here on the porch for many years and brought much pleasure to my master with my colorful flowers.” 

Lily Liar: 

“What’s this you say? Am I so far out into this field that I’ve lost my hearing? Did you really say you don’t care if the master takes you apart and throws you away?” 

Augie: 

“Of course, I care. I am use to this porch and I will miss my friends. I will miss the love and honesty I have known. Even when the master was angry, he always tended to me. It did seem that he liked me. But, the pain I will feel can be no worse then what you will know when the master mows the field. It seems we will both be replaced and if the master is happy, then that’s all that matters.” 

Lily Liar: 

“Oh, no – Oh, no! I never believed the master would mow the field. He has always let us grow. He has always loved us as much as he loved you. Now that I will die soon, I’m sorry that I have lied to you, wooden donkey.” 

Augie: 

“What lie are you talking about, Lily?” 

Lily Liar: 

“The master has no plans to take you apart. I lied because I was bored.” 

Augie: 

“That’s all right, Lily. Do you realize now, as you see my sadness that I would be taken apart, that telling a lie is wrong and causes pain?” 

Lily Liar: 

“Yes, I do, wooden donkey. It was wrong. Because I was bored, I hurt you. Now it is too late for me.” 

Augie: 

“Then, I will tell you. The master has no plans to mow the field.” 

AUGIE’S MORAL: 

If you tell a lie, you can cause pain and sadness. Augie made up a story just as bad as Lily’s to teach her a lesson. When Lily was caught, she finally knew and breathed a sigh. It’s always wrong to tell a lie. 

THE END