Are we taught not to lie?

Just now, the child was caught in a lie.

The modern, open-minded father knows that this specific lie is completely irrelevant in itself, but it's about the concept of lying itself.

So the father leaves whatever he's doing and sits down with his child to explain seriously why one should always tell the truth, no matter what happens or come what may...

The phone rings.

The child, wanting to earn brownie points, says, "I'll get it" and runs off to answer the phone.

A short while later, it comes back.

"It's the insurance agent, Dad"

"Ugh him? Tell him I'm not here."

We are told that we shouldn’t lie. But are we taught not to lie?

From “Let Me Tell You a Story”