Where do pencils come from?
Yesterday, when a 12-year-old asked if pencils grow on trees, without a hesitation I confirmed they did. I had overheard Patrick tell the student a story about pencil trees located in remote regions of the world, as we waited for parents to pick up their children from tutoring. Next, the student asked Lynda and Amy. Both tutors answered like it was dumb questions to ask. “What? Of course they do. What else would they grow on?”

Why didn’t anyone question agreeing with Patrick's story? Part of it was trying to be creative and coming up with an imaginative story but mostly it was about power. There is a certain satisfaction that comes along with knowing you’re thought of as an authority. By being creative or “lying” I am testing that authority. It feels pretty good that even when we tell these absurd stories that we’re only questioned and not completely dismissed. I bet that’s what it feels like to be a politician.