Not exactly a lie but a clever deception in the instrument acquisition department.   I have way to many instruments and bringing another one home isn't necessarily a good idea.
   
Anyway, about ten years ago I came across a really good buy on a vintage ukulele. I brought the thing home and knowing my wife wouldn't understand, I decided to hide the thing. Then I got this fantastic idea. The case was placed behind a chair so only the very end was visible. Then day by day more and more of the uke was exposed. Sure enough, my wife never suspected a thing. Eventually the case was opened and I was able to treat the uke as though it had been around for years. I was elated.

A perfect caper like this was just too good to keep to myself so I told a couple of my friends about the whole affair. Things went well for quite some time and then one night at out montly supper club my deception was revealed. Needless to say my wife didn't appreciate my cleaverness.

Moral of the story. If you ever pull off something of this nature NEVER TELL ANYONE.

Cap't Bob (blabber mouth)