Every Reader’s Digest magazine has a section called Laughter is the Best Medicine. Who can deny the powerful impact we human experience from robust laughter? As much as that may be true, it could be argued that honesty may, in fact, be the best medicine, not just the “best policy.” Proverbs 12:18 says, “The tongue of the wise brings healing.” Implied in the phrase “the tongue of the wise” is the notion of honesty and truthfulness.

Honesty combined with compassion and kindness not only brings healing to others, it is good for our souls too. After all, when honesty is the rule of our lives, we never have to lose sleep or worry about being caught in a lie or cheating. That is a stress with devastating consequences for us physically, emotionally and spiritually.

I remember a little story, The Duck and the Devil, that teaches a valuable lesson about honesty and the truth about the consequences of dishonesty. I thought you might enjoy it to. It would be a good story to share with your grandchildren, especially younger children.

There was little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out the woods (a dangerous things for most little boys). But Johnny was a good boy who was careful to use his slingshot for good things – at least most of the time.

He practiced and practiced in the woods, but could never seem to hit his target he had set up. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back to his grandparents’ house for dinner. As he was walking back, he saw Grandma’s pet duck. Without thinking, he impulsively let the slingshot fly and hit the duck square in the head and killed it.

Johnny was shocked and grieved! How would he explain this? In a panic he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day, Grandma said, “Sally, let’s wash the dishes.” But Sally said, “Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen with dishes.” Then she whispered in his ear, “Remember the duck?”

So Johnny did the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, and Grandma said, “I’m sorry, but I need Sally to help make supper.” Sally just smiled and said, “Well, that’s alright because Johnny told me he wanted to help with supper today?” Again she whispered, “Remember the duck?”

So, Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed home to help with supper.

After several days of doing both his chores and Sally’s chores, he finally couldn’t stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.

Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, “Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you before you decided it was better to be honest and tell the truth. You see, God is always standing at the window. He sees everything we do. He knows He will always love us and forgive us when we confess our mistakes with honesty. He wants us to know it too, so that the Devil can’t make us His slave, just like Sally did. Isn’t it better to be honest and free?”

There are certainly very pragmatic reasons to be honest, but ultimately it comes down to God’s character. Do I want to grow in full maturity in Christ and reflect the character of God who made me in His image, or not. Godly people value what God values. The more they grow in maturity in Christ, the more they display and value those things that express His character.

Honesty is not a highly treasured virtue in our time. That’s sad because honesty and truth lead to the fullest benefits of God’s delight and pleasure. In fact, those who treasure honesty also find peace, confidence, healing and, oh yes… laughter. So, I guess honesty really is the best medicine after all. Intentional grandparents want their grandchildren to know that by experiencing it for themselves.