THE SCENE: In the preface to his book titled “A True Story”, the writer Lucian seems a little overly concerned that his readership may believe that his story – which contains, amongst other things, a trip to the moon – represents a literal statement of fact.
THE ACTION: When I come across a writer of this sort of fantasy, I do not much mind his lying; the practice is much too well established for that, even with professed philosophers; I am only surprised at his expecting to escape detection. Now I am myself vain enough to cherish the hope of bequeathing something to posterity; I see no reason for resigning my right to that inventive freedom which others enjoy. And, as I have no truth to put on record, having lived a very humdrum life, I fall back on falsehood — but falsehood of a more consistent variety; for I now make the only true statement you are to expect — that I am a liar. This confession is, I consider, a full defence against all imputations. My subject is, then, what I have neither seen, experienced, nor been told, what neither exists nor could conceivably do so. I humbly solicit my readers’ incredulity.
– A True Story, Lucian of Samosata, 2nd Century AD
