Lessons from Lochte

Your correspondent Jeanette Grant asks, “Would anyone notice those American swimmers’ drunken antics if they had kept their mouths shut?” Indeed. It’s been reported that the story emerged after Lochte fibbed to his mother about the events that fateful night, which she then on told to a reporter. There are valuable lessons to be taken from this thoroughly modern morality tale for both parents and children.

Children, don’t lie to your mum, it may not end up costing you millions, as it assuredly will for Lochte, but you may well find your deceit weaving itself into a very tangled web.

Parents, don’t believe everything your little darlings tell you about anything that happens after midnight. And especially, don’t indulge your self-righteous inclination to seek “truth” or “justice” for said “darlings”.

Doug Hannan, New Plymouth.