You Can't Do That

Children are full of comedy. And apparently have a thing for worms. One child came running to me to tell me his friend tried to make him eat a worm. Here is the conversation (names changed to protect the innocent:) :

Tattler: "Zak just tried to make me eat a worm"

Me: "Zak, come here please." (Mind you, Zak is standing nearby. The moment the Tattler said he was coming to tell, Zak walked over with him to make sure he reported accurately.)

Me: "Zak, did you try to make the Tattler eat a worm?"

Zak: proudly responds, "Yes, ma'am. He lied."

Me: "He lied?"

Zak, the Avenger: "Yes, he lied and lying is wrong, so I tried to make him eat a worm."

Me (desperately scanning my brain trying to figure out what Bible verse he was taking out of context- I got nothing.): "Sweetheart, yes, lying is wrong, but you can't go around making your friends eat a worm every time they lie. Have you ever lied?

The Avenger: "Yes, ma'am."

Me: "Did you eat a worm?"

The Avenger: pausing for a long time with a look of confusion, then conviction, and with his head down replies, "No ma'am"

Me: "Then, sweetie, we can't do that to our friends, ok?"

The Avenger: "Oh. Ok" And he runs off to play.

Me: "Lord, please don't let that child eat a worm the next time he lies."