Inspirations - Honesty is the best policy

by Life Positive

Sure enough, the floor of the drawing room was covered with shards of her favourite crystal vase.

There was no one in the room. The vase could not have fallen on its own for it was safely placed in a wall cabinet. Could one of the children have tried to lift it, found it too heavy and dropped it? “Naresh, Shikha,” she called out. The children came out. Just one look at them and Mummy knew that the culprit was Shikha. She was looking anywhere but at Mummy, and guilt was written all over her face.

“You did it, didn’t you?” Mummy asked her, not unkindly.

“No, Mummy,” shrilled Shikha. “I didn’t do it.”

Without a word, Mummy went to her and removed her slipper. Sure enough, it was covered with shining crystal dust which she must have picked up when she scampered out of the room.

Mummy’s face was very stern. But she did not yell at Shikha. She said, “You know what happens when you lie, sweetie?”

Shikha shook her head, trembling with fear.

“I lose my trust in you. Now each time you tell me something I will wonder if you are lying to me. It will make me more suspicious of you and eventually end up poisoning our relationship. And you know what is worse?” Shikha shook her head again. “Because you have lied, you will now believe that others are also lying and you too will lose your trust in others. Do you see how sad life can be without trust?”

Shikha’s eyes were big as she thought about how life would be if no one trusted her and she could not trust others.

She made up her mind. She would never lie again. Ever.