Jude Tells the Truth About the Cookies

Mum bakes cookies. Round, warm, golden cookies.
"These are for after dinner," says Mum. She puts them on a plate and goes to the garden.

Jude looks at the cookies. Sniff, sniff. They smell so good.
"Just one," thinks Jude. Munch, munch, munch.
"Just one more." Munch, munch, munch.

Now there is a gap on the plate. Two cookies are gone.
Mum comes back. "Hmm. Where are two cookies?"

Jude's little brother Hadi is on the rug.
Jude could say, "Hadi ate them."
But Hadi is too small. And it is not true.

Jude's heart goes thump, thump, thump.
"Mum," says Jude. "I ate two cookies. I am sorry. I did not wait."

Mum sits down next to Jude. "Thank you for telling me the truth. That was brave."
"Are you cross?" asks Jude.
"I am happy you told me," says Mum. "Next time, you can ask. And after dinner, you can wait while Hadi has his."

After dinner, everyone eats cookies. Jude waits and watches.
Then Mum gives Jude a hug. "Truth makes my heart warm," she says.
Jude feels light as a feather. Telling the truth feels good.