We’ve Heard Worse Little White Lies Told To Kids

I’m a self-checkout attendant in a grocery store chain. We’re semi-famous for having a mechanical horse at the front of the store, which can be ridden for just a penny. It’s nothing fancy, but kids adore it.

A woman rolls a full cart of groceries into the self-checkout with three little boys in tow. As soon as they spot the horse, they start begging to ride it. The woman is just trying to get everything scanned and bagged, and she keeps telling them they don’t have time, but the kids just keep asking.

Me: *To the kids* “Sorry, guys, [Horse] is actually taking a nap right now. He gets really tired with people riding him all day.”

Customer: “Yes! He’s napping! [Horse] is taking a nap! You can’t ride him today.”

The kids weren’t happy, but they accepted that [Horse] was napping and didn’t fuss anymore. I now use this excuse with all kids whining about not getting a ride. If any of them ask me why [Horse]’s eyes are open while he’s supposedly napping, I’m going to tell them that he has no eyelids.