a little lie.

This weekend I had a conversation with someone who told a little lie. He talked about what I do as if he followed my work each day. He was pretending, guessing. It’s sad to report. His guess was miles away.

“If you’re going to lie to me, please have the decency to be convincing.” Hugh Prather, Jr. said.

I suppose this young man, in his own way, was paying me a compliment. Maybe he wanted me to know he thought I was important. But what he did was say he wasn’t confident that I would be okay if he admitted he never read my work. His problem? Yes. But then he handed it to me.

It’s just a little lie, but what do I do with it?

I’m caught between the truth and embarrassment. In my younger days, I would have gone straight for the truth as gently as I could, thinking that I would save the misperception from continuing. These days I do that less.

I didn’t tell the guy he had it wrong. I figured I can’t fix all of the misperceptions in the world. I figured sooner or later folks who’d hear from him might consider the source.

Have I gotten old and lazy or realistic? Have I quit taking myself so seriously or sold out?

After all, it’s just a little lie.