Zengzi's wife was going to the market. Her little son insisted on going with her, crying and making a scene. "Stay at home," she told him. "When I return, I will slaughter a pig for you."
Upon her return, Zengzi prepared to slaughter the pig. His wife stopped him, saying, "I was only joking."
"A child should not be joked with in that manner!" Zengzi replied. "A child lacks knowledge and cannot judge independently. He learns from his parents and listens to their words. To lie to him is to teach him to lie to others. If a mother deceives her son, he will lose trust in her. How can she then educate him?"
With that, Zengzi proceeded to slaughter the pig and prepared a fine meal for their son.