Claudia's Italian Adventures.
La Bocca della Verità.

The Lie Detector
A very risky experiment in Rome.
By Claudia.

Last summer, when I was in Rome, I got a very big fright when I entered the church called Santa Maria in Cosmedin. 

Italy
(Santa Maria in Cosmedin, photo from Wikimedia Commons.)

In the entrance porch, there is a big monster's face with an open mouth.

La Bocca della Verita
(Image from Wikimedia Commons.)

But this is no ordinary monster.  This is a famous marble sculpture known as La Bocca della Verità, meaning 'The Mouth of Truth.' 
Hundreds of years ago, people believed that if you told a fib whilst placing your hand in the monster's open mouth, then........ Mamma mia!  The sculpture would bite off your hand! Let's just say that if you wanted to keep your hand in good working order then you would be very unwise to tell a lie.

Italian resources for primary schools
(A famous statue by Jules Blanchard.  A woman is placing her hand in the sculpture's mouth.  This statue can be seen in Le Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris.  Photo from Wikimedia Commons.)

I decided to conduct a dangerous experiment.  I was going to tell a fib whilst keeping my hand in 'The Mouth of Truth.'

 My big sister watched as I placed my hand inside the cold, black hole of stone.  The monster seemed to be looking and listening.

"Sono pronta!"  "I'm ready!" 
I started to think about which fib to tell.  Should it be that 'I never eat sweets?'  Or, something like 'I love tidying my bedroom?' 

 Which fib was it going to be? 

I shut my eyes.  My heart was thudding with fear and my throat was very dry.  Suddenly, I didn't feel so brave.  Even my sister, who is never scared about anything, looked worried.

 

 I decided to say something that was definitely not true:- 
" I think that The Mouth of Truth has a very handsome face!"  I announced.

italian resources

The stone face observed me.  What was he thinking? Was he flattered?  Did he think I was paying him a compliment instead of telling a fib? Or did he think I was making fun of him?

 Mamma mia!!!!!!!  My fear was too great!  I quickly pulled my hand out of the mouth.  I wasn't going to wait and see.

  "I think you did the right thing, by pulling out your hand," said my sister.

What would have happened if I'd kept my hand there?  Has anyone ever had the courage to test La Bocca della Verità? 
If you have, then I would very much like to meet you.

Here is some advice for anyone who wants to give it a go:
1.  Think carefully about the fib you are going to say.  Do not make it too outrageous.  
2.  Do not say anything that could hurt the feelings of the stone sculpture.  Remember that he has been around for about two thousand years and he should be treated with respect.
3.  Look after your hand.  It is very important and useful, so,  perhaps it would be a better idea not to conduct the experiment at all.