It simply told the truth, which is, of course, ‘A Good Thing To Do’. But the way this particular telephone told the truth was not at all good. In reality the thing was evil from the tip of its mouthpiece to the end of its cord. It was put up for sale in a shop window with a label that read: ‘The Truthful Phone – £10’. ‘I’ve never heard of such a thing,’ said Mrs Morris, who was frail and elderly but of an enquiring mind. ‘I wouldn’t take it, if I were you, Mrs Morris,’ said the shopkeeper, who was a kind man despite his appearance. ‘The truth can get you into all sorts of trouble.’ ‘Oh dear,’ replied Mrs Morris. ‘I always understood the truth never hurt anyone.’ ‘Don’t you believe it,’ said the shopkeeper. ‘The truth can be dangerous and undesirable and should be shunned as long as is possible. Nobody really wants the truth. They want to live in a world that is comfortable and happy. The truth would just make most people miserable.’ ‘But I need a new telephone,’ said Mrs Morris, ‘and this one is the cheapest by far!’ And with that she bought the phone and took it home.
