The Robot Who Couldn't Lie

In the year 2071, almost every home in Vancouver had a robot. The Parks family's robot was called Bolt. He cooked, cleaned, helped with homework and walked the dog. He also had one important rule in his program: he could never tell a lie.

Then, one Monday in May, eleven-year-old Emma came home from school with a plan.

“Bolt,” she whispered, “Mom's fortieth birthday is on Saturday. Dad and I are going to have a surprise party for her. You can't tell her anything. Do you understand?”

Bolt's blue eyes flashed. “I understand. But Emma, if your mother asks me a question, I will have to answer it truthfully.”

“Then don't let her ask,” said Emma.

This was not easy. Mrs. Parks was a scientist, and she asked questions all day long. On Tuesday, she found a box of balloons in the garage. “Bolt, what are these for?”

Bolt thought for half a second, which for a robot is a very long time. “They are for filling with air,” he said. This was true.

On Wednesday, she noticed that Bolt had ordered a huge amount of flour and sugar. “Are you planning to bake something?”

“Yes,” said Bolt. “I am planning to bake.” He did not say what. Mrs. Parks looked at him strangely, but she was late for work.

On Thursday night, Emma heard her parents talking in the kitchen. Her mother sounded worried. “Something is wrong with Bolt. He's been acting strangely all week. If he's broken, we should send him back to the factory.”

Emma's heart stopped. If they sent Bolt away, the party would be ruined – and she would lose her best friend.

On Friday morning, Mrs. Parks sat down in front of Bolt and looked into his blue eyes. “Bolt, I'm going to ask you directly. Are you hiding something from me?”

Emma stood frozen in the doorway. Bolt could not lie. Everything was over.

“Yes,” said Bolt. “I am hiding something. Someone who loves you very much asked me to keep a secret until tomorrow. If I told you now, I would make that person very sad. So I am asking you, as a friend: please do not ask me any more questions until Saturday at seven o'clock.”

For a long moment, Mrs. Parks said nothing. Then she smiled slowly. “All right, Bolt. No more questions.”

On Saturday night, when forty people shouted “Surprise!”, Mrs. Parks looked shocked. Later, Emma asked her, “Did you really not know?”

Her mother laughed and looked across the room at Bolt, who was carefully cutting a very large cake. “Let's just say I learned something about robots this week,” she said. “They can't lie. But they can be very good friends.”