Liar, Liar Pants on Fire

Lionel Williams is a liar. He lies to his parents, teacher, sister, and even grandparents! It’s not like he means to lie, not really, it just happens. Lionel lies because it is a habit.

Mrs. Frank, Lionel’s second grade teacher, has the ability to catch someone’s lies. Why should Lionel be any different? Especially this morning, when Lionel burst into the classroom late, red faced, and dirty.

“Ah, Lionel,” Mrs. Frank said, “Decide to finally join us this morning, did you?”

“Mrs. Frank,” Lionel panted, “It is not my fault that I am late!”

“And whose fault is it, exactly?” Mrs. Frank accused.

“The kittens’.” Lionel said simply, his breath calming down.

Mrs. Frank looked at Lionel, clearly not amused.

Lionel, knowing the very look that Mrs. Frank wore, gasped, “And the fire!” He added.

Mrs. Frank chuckled, “Fine, Fine! Tell me your tale.”

Lionel took a deep breath and began, “Okay, I was walking down the road on my way to school when a large noise erupted in my ears! I turned to see a red blur flash past me. I realized it was a fire truck!

I looked down the road, toward the truck’s destination to find it was headed not to far from me. Only a block away! I ran to see the commotion. A crying little girl, about four or five years old, stood with her mother and father. She kept whimpering, ‘Snowflake, Cupcake, Greenlake. Someone save my kittens!’

I felt so sorry for her, if only I could help. I looked up at the house and saw a brown and orange cat meowing in the window. I didn’t think twice, I ran inside the house! The smoke burned my lungs and quenched my throat, so I covered my mouth and nose with my jacket. I looked around all the flames and squinted through the smoke, looking for stairs so I could find the kitten I had seen before. I finally found the stair case, but they were barren with flaming debris. I looked for alternatives. There was a fallen board that I thought I might be able to use to move the rubble, and it worked!”

By now Mrs. Frank was clearly interested in Lionel’s story, although she knew he was lying. It was unbelievable how great of a storyteller this kid was. The students at their desks were as absorbed in the story as Mrs. Frank.

“I ran up the stairs and into the a pink room, sodden from ash and flame, to find that Greenlake was in there. I pulled him into my arm and went to the next room. I had to be careful of where I stepped for the floor was weak. One kitten, Cupcake, was hiding under the bed in this room. I coaxed her out softly and cuddled her with her sister. The next room had no room, but a spacious window that might become useful.

The door to the fourth room was hot! I knew a fire ust be in there, close to the door. I carefully turned the knob, using my jacket as an oven mit, and crazy little snowflake shot out! I caught her placing the other to kittens on my shoulders. They stayed there easily, for they used their claws as anchors to my shirt.

I went back down the stairs, ready to get some oxygen, my head was starting to hurt, and my breath hollow. The front door was getting near, when all of a sudden a huge crash exploded, and debris fell across the door! The kittens tightened their claws into my shoulders, I barely noticed in shock. How was I going to get out now? I ran back up the stairs to the room with the window.

The window stuck, but when I put my weight into it, the window flew open. I screamed, which sent knives down my throat, but I didn’t care! The kittens meowed loudly. A fire fighter looked up and spotted me and sent up a latter. He ascended the latter, and helped me get down safely. They gave me oxygen and I returned the kittens.

Everyone thanked me graciously, and I told the firefighters I had to get to class. I ran all the way here.”

Mrs. Frank didn’t quite know what to say. That was such a nice story, it deserved some credit, but the truth is Lionel does not have an excuse to be late.

“Tell me, Lionel, why should I believe you?”

“ Because the nice fireman gave me this,” Lionel pulled out a medal from his backpack.

It read:

“Award of Heroic Proceedings”



And the fire department insignia on the back. Mrs. Frank stared in disbelief. She finally sighed in defeat and the class erupted in a loud applause.