In the story of the griffin and the minor canon was the kids being honest or dishonest?

In "The Griffin and the Minor Canon," the children initially display dishonesty by misleading the griffin about their intentions and the nature of the townspeople's reactions. Their fear of the griffin leads them to create a false narrative that ultimately contributes to misunderstanding and tension. However, as the story progresses, they also exhibit a sense of innocence and curiOSity, which complicates the notion of honesty. Ultimately, their actions reflect a blend of fear-driven deceit and the innocence of childhood.