If You Must Lie, Be Brief

It was almost time for breakfast but I was in my room, finishing the pieces of meat I had taken from the pot last night. After washing my hands, I perked up as I heard my name being called.
Thinking it was time to eat, I rushed out only to see my mum towering over my brother who vociferously denied having stolen any meat yesterday. I immediately started thinking up a lie and by the time my mum turned to me, I was already speaking:
”Mama, you know I was reading my Bible overnight. How will I leave the word of God to steal meat.I also had an headache throughout the night so I could not leave my room. Besides, do I look like someone that can finish the breast and legs of a chicken alone?”
Right then I knew I had said too much as my mum’s eyes widened. Looking at me, she asked: ”how did you know it is the breast and legs that are missing?”
Nothing was going to save me from the beating mum was going to give me. How I wish I had kept the lie brief.