Snap Back!

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.  Exodus 20:16

Props: 4 rubber bands

Plan and practice this demonstration before class with two helpers (older teen or adult helpers).  Have one helper (“George”) begin by holding one rubber band. 

Today we’re talking about the importance of being truthful in all you say and do.  Let’s say this rubber band represents the truth.  And let’s just say that our friend George didn’t do his homework.  The truth is that he forgot.  But instead of being honest, he decides to try to “stretch” the truth.  (Invite a child up to “loop” a rubber band around the one held by “George”).  George thinks, “Well, my baby sister did open my backpack.”  So he stretches the truth and tells his teacher that his sister got into his backpack and ruined his papers.  George’s teacher asked, “Why didn’t you call the homework hotline and get it?”  He said, “My mom was on an important phone call all night.”  The truth is that his mom was on the phone for 15 minutes.  (Invite another child up to “loop” one more rubber band around the second rubber band held by “George.”  Then have the second helper begin to stretch out the rubber bands.)  Now you can see that George is adding to the truth and stretching it.  When you “stretch” the truth like that, it’s not the truth anymore.  It becomes a lie.  Finally, his teacher asked why he didn’t get a note from his mom.  He remembered that his mom mentioned her hand hurt.  So George told his teacher that his mom had a serious hand condition and couldn’t write.  (Invite another child up to “loop” one more rubber band around the third rubber band held by the helper.  Then have the second helper continue to stretch out the rubber bands.)  Later that day, his teacher asked George’s mom about her hand and if everything was okay, because she heard about the serious phone call that took all night.  All of George’s lies snapped right back at him!  (Have second helper let go of the rubber bands, snapping “George”).  His mom and teacher discovered that George lied by trying to stretch the truth.  He got in trouble at school and at home!   

            You can’t stretch the truth like that!  It will always come back at you and hurt you (and others) in the end.  Make up your mind to be truthful in everything you say and do and then you won’t get hurt by lies.  Don’t try to “stretch” the truth.  Just tell the honest truth.  Even if it might get you in trouble, it’s better in the beginning than to face worse trouble by lying!

            Remember, be truthful!