LYING

She was watching TV ….

She was watching these 5 candidates - 

all running for the same political office.

She began to notice the times they put

their hand to their face. Was it because 

they knew -  that what they were saying -

wasn’t them. It was something they were

told to say - to do better in the polls.

They would rub an ear or take their index finger

and scratch the skin below an eye,

or pat down the back of their head -

or with 2 fingers and their thumb

itch their chin a bit. She said to her husband,

“Did you ever notice how politicians

are always touching their face in a debate

or during a question and answer session?”

Without looking out from behind his paper,

he said, "Lots of times."  And he rubbed

the edge of his nose. Then she added,

“I think that guy who made Pinocchio had it right.

They usually touch their nose.

Who said we need lie detectors?”

And sure enough 1 of the 5 dropped out

of the race 3 days later. Someone checked up

on something he said and found out it was false.

© Andy Costello, Reflections 2012