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The Lie Detector
A very risky experiment in Rome.
By Claudia.
Last summer, in Rome, I got a very big fright when I
entered the church called Santa Maria in Cosmedin. 
(Santa Maria in Cosmedin, photo from Wikimedia Commons.)
In the entrance porch, there is a big monster's face
with an open mouth.
(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!
It would bite your hand!
(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 placing 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 began 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 looked worried. 
I decided to say something that was definitely not true:-
" I think that The Mouth Of Truth has a very handsome face!" "Sei bellissimo!" I announced.
The stone face observed me. What was he thinking?
Was he flattered? Did he think I was paying him a compliment? Did he think I was making fun of him?
Could he tell that it was a fib?
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 in a very serious way.
What would have happened if I'd kept my hand there?
Has anyone ever had the courage to test La Bocca Della Verità? If so, I would very much like to meet you.
Claudia's Advice Section For Anyone Who Wants
To Give It A Try:
1. Think carefully about the fib you are going to tell.
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. Make sure that a grown-up is with you, just in case you need to be rushed to hospital.
4. Learn some Italian words that are useful in an emergency, for example, Aiuto! (Help!)
Sto male! (I'm not well!) L'ambulanza (The ambulance)
Chiama un dottore! (Call a doctor!)
Good luck.
In bocca al lupo.
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