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Ahhh!

*Sobs*...

Why are you crying? You fell down on your own! I didn't even touch you!

Stand up! This is all your fault... You were badmouthing me to the teachers at school, weren't you? You got me in trouble!

I didn't lie!

I saw it, Antonio! You were the one who stole the change Aunt Mirissa left on the table—

You still going on about that?! You little rata!

I... I'm not! I'm not a rata!

Oh, my dear children, don't do that.

Our tantrums, however brief, can lead to mistakes. Don't let your emotions get the better of you. Come, my child, stand up.

Who the hell are you?!

Uhh...!

No way... Um, you..

Um, thank you very much, sir... It's okay, I can stand up by myself.

There's mud all over me. I wouldn't want to get your hands dirty.

That is very considerate of you, my child. You have my thanks.

But you needn't worry. How is mud dirty? Everything we eat and wear is grown from the earth.

Here, take my hand. Stand up. That's right.

Um, sir, you're from the city, aren't you?

Do you know who I am?

There are rumors all over town that there's going to be an old gentleman visiting us from the city to give a... uh... what is it again...?

A sermon! That's right! A sermon!

You're here to give a sermon, aren't you?

Yes, very perceptive, my child.

I've been asked to come here to share the gospel with all of you here...

You're a priest from the church?

Yes, my child. I am.

You'll teach us about the laws in the church's book and tell us stories about Laterano?

I will, my dear child, but that is not all I will be teaching you.

The book teaches us that our noble laws are indestructible, and that we must believe it, follow it, and worship it. That is the righteous and correct thing to do... Correct, but perhaps a little off the mark.

I am merely human. In reality, I am no more holy than anyone else. That is why I also have many worthy stories of the people and things around us to share with you. I am here to close the distance between us and the law.

Father, what do you mean...? I'm not sure I understand.

Uh, Father, where are you headed? Is it the village headman's house? I'll take you there!

Thank you, my child.

What I say is not important. What is truly important is what you've heard. You don't have to force yourself to understand.

Which way is it? Oh, watch out. Don't step on these flowers here. Give them the chance to grow.

W-Wait...

Father!

Hm?

Yes, my child?

I'm just wondering... Did you... see all that just now...?

What did you see?

Did you catch everything... that I said?

—I'm afraid I can't deny I did.

I heard everything loud and clear from the moment you fell.

Father, sir, I, I—

Father, please! That's not how it is! I made it all up!

I made all of that up! Please!

You think everything you said is nonsense, but is that really the case?

I...

Antonio isn't a bad person. It's just, he...

That's right! I-I lied! I was just seeing things... That's right! Antonio didn't steal anything, Father! I imagined all that! Please don't take him away!

José!

José, stop... stop it!

I-I know it's wrong to lie, but I'm jealous of Antonio. My grades are better than his, but I never get enough to eat. Soon, I won't even have enough money to go to school! I'm jealous of him!

I know those who steal get taken away. I know that. Hugo next door was taken away and never came back because he stole something from the stores in the city...

That's why I ratted him out to the teachers! I was trying to frame him! It's all my fault!

I know what I did was wrong. Please, if you're here to take anyone away, take me! Please don't take him...

'We must not deceive others, for the deception deceives even ourselves.'

What are you talking about?! No one told you to say that!

It's me, Father! You heard him! I stole that money...!

Antonio!

Stop it, José. Stop... Stop lying for me.

You aren't like that! When Old Man Pedro broke your leg last time, you didn't lie about that!

...I...

Ah, lies.

Lies can ruin us if we don't follow through with them. This is a most vile thing to do, yet... lies made with goodwill are what make us human.

Go on, my child.

There isn't any more to say!

I stole Aunt Mirissa's money, but I'll pay her back! I found a job in town that pays really well!

It's my fault for stealing. I'll go apologize. I ask for your forgiveness and just a little bit of time. I'll return the money when I have it.

But why? Why did you do that?

...tuition...

What?

Don't you want to keep going to school?! You're much better at studying than any of us! I know you're a little tight on money—

Uh...

Tsk, that didn't count! It's none of your business!

Anyway, that's how it is. I took the money because I wanted to. I said I'll pay it back. You caught me red-handed! I'll accept any punishment that comes my way!

Father, you're here to take me away, aren't you? Do it already!

Antonio...

Calm down, my child.

You think what you've done is wrong. In that case, would you like to confess your sins?

Y-Yeah! Let's confess!

If you admit what you've done is wrong, you'll be forgiven, and you won't be punished...

Father, please. Please forgive him. Have mercy on Antonio! He'll be better!

The law says we mustn't steal or lie. I did both of those.

But I don't regret it. I couldn't think of any other way. I don't regret doing this even if you're going to punish me.

Father, am I allowed to confess if I don't feel regret for my actions?

That depends on what you think.

All of us have our weaknesses, and who doesn't make mistakes?

But when we make mistakes, are we forgiven simply because we repent our sins? Who has the right to forgive another, anyway?

I don't understand...

Isn't what I did wrong? I did something wrong, and I don't feel bad about it. That makes me a bad person...

Does making a mistake once make you a bad person forever?

If someone commits a crime with malice and then receives the proper punishment, does that really erase that malice and make her a sinner no longer?

Well... no...

Antonio stole money. He has sinned. As for you, José, you lied to me in order to protect him. You have sinned.

Do you think he's a bad person?

Lying goes against our teachings. Do you think you are a bad person?

I...