If George Washington had chopped down the cherry tree TODAY......

        "George Washington, did YOU chop down the cherry tree?"

        "No, Father."

        "I think you are lying!"

        "No, no, no! I swear I did NOT chop down the cherry tree."

        "Son, I saw you out here with your ax.  Your punishment will be much worse for you if you lie.  Now, tell me the truth!"

        "Dad, I answered your question truthfully.  Still, I must take complete responsibility for all my actions.  While my answer was legally accurate, I did not volunteer information.

        "Indeed, Father, I did cause the cherry tree to be lying on the ground.  To do this was wrong.  It constituted a critical lapse in judgment and a personal failure on my part for which I am solely and completely responsible.

        "I know my answer to you gave a false impression.  I misled you, my own father.  I deeply regret that.

        "I can only tell you I was motivated by many factors. First, by a desire to protect myself from the embarrassment of my own conduct.  I was also very concerned about protecting Mom from this shock.  What I did, Dad, was to use a saw to cause the cherry tree to fall.  Only after the tree was already down did I go get my ax to chop off individual branches.  So, I chopped off branches, but sawed down the tree.  Look at the saw cut on the stump and the ax cuts on the branches.  Therefore, legally, I told the truth.

        "I ask you to turn away from the spectacle of this fallen tree and to return our attention to a solid family relationship.

        "Thank you."

        "Indeed, son, you are correct. The strength of our family relationship is of the utmost importance.  Nothing must turn our attention away from such a serious matter.  Now bend over."