Story XIX  ·  Honesty & Privacy

The Muddy Cloak

"If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it."

Steve and Kynthos watching from behind a bush as their neighbor, Mr. Silas, clumsily trips over a tree root and splashes into a muddy puddle.

While walking to the village market, Steve and Kynthos saw their neighbor, Mr. Silas, trip over a root and fall face first into a muddy puddle. Mr. Silas was deeply embarrassed but unhurt.

The boys helped him up and continued on to the market after Mr. Silas hurried home to change his muddy cloak.

At the busy village market, Steve loudly proclaiming the story to the baker, pointing and laughing logically about the clumsiness, while the baker looks surprised.

When they arrived, the baker asked if they had seen Mr. Silas.

Steve, who never filtered his thoughts, immediately blurted out, "Yes, he's incredibly clumsy! He tripped on a root and fell face-first into the mud!" Steve told the truth, but with zero tact or respect for Mr. Silas's privacy.

Kynthos waving his arms defensively, clearly making up a wild story about a giant boar, trying to make the baker smile again.

Seeing the baker look alarmed, Kynthos panicked. He hated when people were upset and wanted to make everyone happy again.

"No he didn't!" Kynthos yelled, waving his arms. "A giant wild boar chased him into the mud! He was being brave!" Kynthos lied, trying to invent a story to protect Mr. Silas's feelings.

Grandfather kneeling down to talk to them both, holding a hand up to Steve's mouth (symbolizing tact/privacy) and looking seriously at Kynthos (symbolizing truth).

Grandfather pulled them aside, troubled by what he had heard.

"Steve, secrets are harmful but other people's privacy is important. Other people's mistakes do not need to be broadcasted by you just because they are true."

"But Kynthos, hiding the truth is a harmful secret. Do not invent lies to cover reality. Knowing the difference is important."

The boys later helping Mr. Silas wash his muddy cloak at the river, with Steve looking respectful and quiet, and Kynthos looking sincere.

The brothers realized their errors, apologized to the baker, and went to see if they could find Mr. Silas to offer to wash his cloak in the river.

Steve and Kynthos reflecting on what they learned about truth and privacy.

Steve learned to hold his tongue and filter his thoughts, practicing the privacy of the mind, while Kynthos learned that it is better to say nothing at all than to speak a lie.

A close-up of an ancient wooden wax tablet with Steve's handwriting etched into it.
That evening, Steve wrote on his wax tablet:

Secrets are harmful.

Privacy is paramount.

Knowing the difference is important.

Other people's mistakes don't need to be broadcasted by you.

Virtue Learned

Honesty & Privacy
Truth must be balanced with a respect for others' dignity. Not every true thing needs to be spoken, for privacy is paramount. However, we must never hide behind harmful secrets, as even well-intentioned lies destroy trust. Knowing the difference is important.

To the parent: It is not my place to tell your children the difference between privacy and a secret. This is a great opportunity to have a conversation about it.