"Mom, what does that sign mean?"
"Well Ron, you see the man with the long nose? He's like Pinocchio. And you see the red thing across him? That's a sign of saying no. So this sign must mean no liars allowed."
Ron's bright blue eyes became round. "Wow... you mean anyone who has ever lied can't go in?"
His mother giggled. "Not exactly. I think they just want you to be completely honest while you're being interviewed."
Ron frowned. "If I do will I get chosen, Mom?"
She studied her son's serious expression for a second. "Ron, if you want to go to the Carrancarran Wildlife Refuge's summer camp, you'll have to be truthful. More truthful than you've ever been."
Ron scrunched up his face, as he stared at the sign. "I don't understand, why is that so important to them?"
She shrugged. "I don't know, Honey. You're the one who told me about the article, remember?"
Ron pulled a rumpled piece of paper from his pocket. "Come join us in Carrancarran Wildlife Refuge for a summer camp experience that you'll never forget. Must be between nine and eleven years of age, and extraordinarily honest."
The two slowly made their way to the reception area, where many children around his age waited with one or more guardians.
When it was Ron's turn, he hugged his mother hard. "I'm so nervous! I've never wanted anything so bad.
She patted his back. "Just do your best. And remember, if you need me I'll be right out here."
When he walked into the clean well lit room, the first thing he noticed was the strange machine sitting on the table.
A pleasant young woman led him over to it. "Please, won't you sit down?"
Twenty minutes later, Ron walked out, grinning from ear to ear. "Mom, I get to go! They hooked me up to this funny machine, and asked me all sorts of things. Like if I ever try to get out of eating the vegetables I don't like. I told the truth, and it worked!"
Mom clapped her hands, and smiled. "Well done, I'm so proud of you!"
Then she became serious. "They hooked you up to a lie detector? I wonder why they went to such extremes to select the winners? Maybe you shouldn't go, Ron. This is very strange."
Ron stepped back, his eyes beginning to fill with tears. "You have to let me go, mom. Please, it wasn't anything weird, honest. I'll be fine!"
Mom crossed her arms, and stared at the door her son had just exited. "Maybe... I need to know what this is all about first though."
While she was in the room, Ron paced. Stopping to wipe his nose occasionally, he looked around at the other children. A few were smiling, but most appeared disappointed.
After what seemed like an eternity, Mom emerged. Het smile encouraged him.
Ron ran up to her. "So can I go? Please?!?!"
She nodded. "I'm satisfied that there were good reasons for the selection process, and that you will be well taken care of. You may go."
"YES!" Ron shouted, causing everyone to look. He blushed. "Sorry."
"Why did they use that machine, Mom?" he asked for the tenth time, on the way home.
She laughed. "You'll find out tomorrow. It's a surprise - a surprise for the entire world once it's made known. I won't be the one to ruin it for you."
More curious than ever, he spent the rest of the walk in silence.
The next day, Ron was up early.
"I'll fix your favorite breakfast, Ron. Would you rather have blueberry syrup or honey with your pancakes?"
The excited child shook his head. "Thanks, but I'm not hungry. I just want to get going."
Mom laughed. "You should eat. The bus won't get here any sooner by your wanting it to."
Reluctantly he sat. Soon he was busily scraping an empty plate.
Just as Ron put his empty plate in the sink, a small bus pulled into the driveway. He bolted for the door, snagging bags and backbacks without slowing down.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" asked Mom.
Ron looked around the room. "No, I've got everything."
Mom took a step towards him, and turned her head, presenting her right cheek.
"Oh!" exclaimed Ron, as he dropped his baggage, and ran to her.
After their farewell, Ron collected his bags again, this time a lot slower. When he opened the door, he was greeted by a middle aged man in jeans and a t-shirt.
He smiled and extended his hand. "Hello, I'll be taking you to the Carrancarran Wildlife Refuge. Let's get your bags stowed away, then we can hit the road."
Ron hugged his mom one more time, then ran towards the small bus in the driveway.
After several hours of songs and travel games, the small group arrived at a fenced in area deep within Carrancarran Wildlife Refuge.
Ron stepped off of the bus, and immediately fell to his knees, eyes wide with wonder.
To be continued!
Describe what you see:
I see a sign indicating that lies are not welcome.
Describe what you feel:
I feel like this is a unique opportunity for those willing to be honest!
#pic1000
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