Subject: George Washington and the Cherry Tree

George Washington, did YOU chop down the cherry tree?"

"No, Dad."

"I think you are lying."

"No, no, no! I swear I did NOT chop down the cherry tree."

"Son, I saw you out here with your ax. Your punishment will
be much worse for you if you lie. Now, tell me the truth!"

"Dad, I answered your question truthfully. Still, I must
take complete responsibility for all my actions. While my
answer was legally accurate, I did not volunteer information.

"Indeed, Dad, I did cause the cherry tree to be lying on
the ground.  To do this was wrong. It constituted a critical
lapse in judgment and a personal failure on my part for
which I am solely and completely responsible.

"I know my answer to you gave a false impression. I misled
you, my own father. I deeply regret that.

"I can only tell you I was motivated by many factors. First,
by a desire to protect myself from the embarrassment of my
own conduct.

"I was also very concerned about protecting Mom from this shock.

"What I did, Dad, was use a saw to cause the cherry tree to fall.
Only after the tree was already down did I go
get my ax to chop off individual branches.

"So, I chopped off branches, but sawed down the tree.
Look at the saw cut on the stump and the ax cuts on the branches.
Therefore, legally, I told the truth.

"I ask you to turn away from the spectacle of this fallen tree
and to return our attention to a solid family relationship."