My grandfather is a fine man. I love him very much. But one day I told him a lie (谎言). I can not tell you now what the lie was. I was only seven years old then. Grandfather was not cross with me.
"Ask Jim to get a long ladder, " he said, "my boy now jumps from the tops of houses, up to the roof (屋顶). "
Jim brought the big ladder. Then grandfather said, "My boy now jumps from the tops of houses. The ladder is for him. "
I knew at once what he was telling me. I had often heard the old saying, "A lie is a jump from the top of a house. "
I said nothing. But I felt like crying.
The minutes went by. What would people think about the ladder? It stood by the front door. I was afraid it might be there for a long time. I had to do something!
At last I went to grandfather. He was reading a book. I went up to him and put my face on his arm.
"Grandfather, " I said. "I will not tell a lie again. We don't need the ladder now. "Grandfather seemed very happy once again. He called Jim. "Take the ladder away. " he said, "my boy does not jump from the tops of houses. "
His words made me happy once again.
