The problem with today's society ...is that they don't simply tell a lie or tell the truth. Often there is no absolute offered, and that makes it in some ways worse because often trust and prejudice is built upon the same thing ...experience, and circumstances.

What is the greatest lie Pinocchio could have told?

He could have said, "Such wickedness was done to me. My nose grows longer each time I tell the truth."

How many of us would not only believe him, but would have compassion for him?

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It may be helpful if our nose was an accountability partner ...but, we get in trouble often for putting our nose where it shouldn't be.  More true even is when we put our mouth where it shouldn't be.  But, there are times that we should speak up ...in love.

Yes, our nose does not usually give us away, but though we can hide ourselves from most of those we know ...we can't hide from God, even if we claim not to know Him.  It serves us better if we do know Him. He not only has made us a 'real boy' ...we can expect to become a real man.

(Oh, yes, about the question in the riddle ...well, there are slightly different versions, but I believe you should ask, "Which road do you usually recommend people not travel down?" The weary traveler tried to look into the young man's eyes, but more important, he watched carefully as the young man pointed down one of the roads.  The traveler politely thanked the young man and waited for him to depart, before traveling down the other road. The more I think about this, the more I seem to be confused about my certainty.  The only path to take is the one leading to Jesus ...and I'm certain about that one.)