Gobbledybook!

Support for the Arkansas PBS Writer's Contest is provided by the June Hoes Williams Endowment.

(light music) Hi everyone.

Today, we're celebrating our Arkansas PBS writer's contest winners.

With us today, the first place winner from the third grade, the great Isabella Posadas, a story she wrote and illustrated called Lying Lizzie.

Isabella is nine years old and lives in Rogers, Arkansas.

She enjoys the playground and loves reptiles of all kinds, especially lizards.

As you'll see, but I won't spoil the surprise.

Now, introducing the great Isabella Posadas.

Hi.

I'm Isabella Posadas and today I'm going to be reading you Lying Lizzy.

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Lizzy.

She lied way too much.

One time she had her baby cousin over to babysit him.

He lied that her mom had a new baby.

Another time, she stole a cookie from the cookie jar.

When her mom said to wait until after dinner, She lied that she didn't eat one when her mom asked.

Another time she sneaked chocolate and blamed her brother.

What!

You see, she lied way too much.

It was a regular day.

Lizzy was at the park with her family.

She was about to swing when something caught her eye, an adorable little lizard.

She picked it up and hid it under her shirt.

It was time to leave as they all got into the car.

Her mom asked, Lizzy, what's that in your shirt?

You guessed it.

Lizzy lied.

Nothing.

On the way home, Lizzie snapped the last piece of bubblegum.

Her mom noticed.

Hey, who took the last piece of gum?

Lizzie said, not me.

Instead of telling the truth, she blamed her sister.

In the exact moment of her lie, something strange happened.

Her hands started to turn green.

Oh.

The next day she lied again.

And in that exact moment, her tongue came out like a lizard.

The next day, she lied again.

This time, the skin started to feel rough and scaly.

Oh no.

Every time she tried to talk, her tongue would come out like a lizard.

She thought, hmm.

Every time I lie, something weird happens to me.

I think I will stop telling lies.

So she stopped telling lies and something amazing happened.

Her hands, skin and tongue all returned to normal.

So she told the truth to everyone and said I'm sorry.

But then the lizard found Lizzy's sister, who loved to tell lies.

Don't forget, if a girl lies, a lizard could find you.

The end.

(clapping and cheering) Mr. Andre: Isabella, I absolutely love your story.

It's really good.

Isabella: Thanks.

I was shocked when she was lying.

I was really, really shocked when Lizzy turned into a lizard.

That is, like, so scary.

Has that happened to you or, like, any of your friends that happened before?

Um, no.

Mr. Andre: No.

So, like, what was your inspiration for the story?

Isabella: Well, I just knew lying is wrong.

So there's got to be a consequence.

Yeah.

Isabella: And that this little lie can make something huge.

Mr. Andre: Right.

Spiral out of control.

Maybe turn you into a lizard.

Well, thank you for sharing Lying Lizzy with us.

It was an awesome story.

Would you like to join me and play with everybody else on the playground?

Isabella: Sure.

Mr. Andre: Awesome.

But you have to help me stay away from lizards if you see any lizards, okay?

Soon as I see any, I'm running.

Go.

(kids laughing) (light music) Mr. Andre: Sure?

Okay.

Gosh Isabella, you're flying.

(suspenseful music) (swing squeaking) (kids screaming) Gobbledybook!

(light music)