Life can be a bit confusing, especially when you’re a kid trying to follow the rules. My parents always told me to be truthful, and I took that lesson to heart. So, when my teacher asked the class about our favorite animals, I gave an honest answer.

“Our teacher asked what my favorite animal was,” I said.

I proudly declared, “Fried chicken is my favorite animal.”

My teacher did not seem to find it funny. She just shook her head and said I was being silly. But I knew she was wrong. “She said I wasn’t funny, but she couldn’t have been right, because everyone else laughed.” The whole class erupted in giggles, which made me feel like I had done something right. After all, laughter is a good thing, isn’t it?

When I got home, I told my dad all about it. He chuckled and offered a bit of insight. He explained that my teacher was probably a member of PETA, and that they care deeply about animals. “He said they love animals ……..very much.” I realized then that my teacher’s love for animals might be a different kind of love than my own.

I love animals, too. I just show my appreciation in a different way. “I do, too. Especially chicken, pork and beef.” My teacher, however, didn’t share my perspective and “sent me to the principal’s office.”

The principal heard my story and, to my relief, also found it humorous. “He laughed, too. Then he told me not to do it again.” I walked out of his office feeling a bit confused. Be honest, but not too honest?

The next day, my teacher tried a different approach. She asked, “what my favorite live animal was.” This was a trick question, I thought. I had to be careful with my words, but I still wanted to be truthful. “I told her it was chicken.” She asked me why, so I gave her another honest answer. “I told her it was because you could make them into fried chicken.”

That did it. “She sent me back to the principal’s office.” He heard my story, laughed once more, and repeated his advice: “He laughed, and told me not to do it again.”

It’s a tough situation. “I don’t understand. My parents taught me to be honest, but my teacher doesn’t like it when I am.” There seems to be a fine line between truthfulness and getting sent to the principal’s office.

The following day, my teacher tried yet another question. She asked me to tell her “what famous person I admired most.” I had a perfect answer ready.

“I told her, ‘Colonel Sanders.’ (KFC Fonder) Guess where I am now..”

LOL!!

It turns out that telling the truth isn’t always as simple as it sounds. But I hope this story brought a smile to your face! Have a wonderful day!