The Michievous Pinocchio

Perhaps that inexpensive gift was another deterrant to set an example to keep me from telling lies, like the michievous Pinocchio did many times, and as I stared at that toy, he become a real friend. There he was with that long nose which never shrunk, but grew and grew every time he lied to his old dad... and the company he kept earned him a grave reprimand: skipping school to go to places frequented by a punk. Not realizing I was standing in harm's way, I ran like him and followed the loud merry-making clan that promised all children a fun world non-existent... any other kid would have joined them in an instant. I should have left him under my six feet tall Christmas Tree, to never have let temptation overwhelm me with curiousity... to resemble him and disobey my parents' heartfelt wishes without concern; and what did my disobedience teach me? Lost years that can't ever return!