A long, long time ago, Disney decided to tell a story. Little did they know, this story was about to become every parent's white lie to their child and something that us kids will always grow to know, the story of Pinocchio.
Pinocchio was a wooden puppet who dreamed of becoming a young boy. Just like every young child, we all have dreams and aspirations that we hope one day will come true. Not only did Pinocchio have desires but he also had differences that stood out from others, making his character the one and only.
Unaware of the consequences, Pinocchio did something that every child does, he told a lie. Now telling this lie may have been a poor decision on his part, but like everyone else we all make mistakes. Don't we?
On a not so ordinary day, the Blue Fairy came to visit the young boy. Blue Fairy being someone who watches over and thinks highly of Pinocchio, knew he had some guilt in him from not attending school that day.
As the Blue Fairy proceeded to ask Pinocchio why he didn't go to school, his reply was simply that Jimmy and he were attacked by monsters.
Pinocchio thinking he did nothing but tell a simple lie didn't know what was coming to him. His nose grew bigger. And just like that, the expression known to every child that your nose will grow if you lie came about.
Being told this as a child, you believe it. At the time, your little brain doesn't know the difference. Think about, if you're a rule follower, would you do something that has a negative side effect to it? Most likely, no. So as children being told that my nose was going to grow bigger every time I lied was something I never wanted to risk. Therefore, a lie never came out of my mouth, especially not to my family.
Pinocchio was not just a character, he was someone who little kids were frightened to be like. He was a liar. Yes, maybe the extent of Pinocchio's lies weren't as intense of a lie that could come out of a person's mouth. But, the story taught children, to NEVER lie. And with this, Pinocchio become a sensation. A character that affected people's lives for the better.
This "Pinocchio effect," is still something I still hold true to my heart. For myself, I strongly believe that lying is beyond unnecessary. It is an action that takes effort and way to much thought. Which is why telling the truth is a much easier thing to do.
So be true yourself and be true to others, I promise it will go a long way. Well, I guess it can go two ways, that you will have to find out, just like Pinocchio did.