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Her father told her the violin teacher she loved had died — years later, a Christmas card exposed the lie and shattered her as an adult

She believed her dad for 15 years until a simple card left her questioning what she thought was a reality.
PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO
(L) A kid playing a violin ; (R) A woman looks shocked, reading a note (Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels |  (L) MART PRODUCTION ; (R) Alena Darmel)
(L) A kid playing a violin ; (R) A woman looks shocked, reading a note (Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | (L) MART PRODUCTION ; (R) Alena Darmel)

Many parents keep the truth hidden from their children for the most bizarre reasons that kids may never understand. When she was a kid, Instagram user Nicole Kang, who goes by (@nicolekang), was told by her dad that her violin teacher had died. She was heartbroken and believed him for 15 long years. It wasn't until she was in college that she noticed a Christmas card, and it exposed the truth. Sharing on June 2, 2026, the woman revealed how unbelievable it felt to learn what the reality was.

When Kang was in school, she used to take violin classes from her teacher, who lived close to a cliff. One time, she learned from her dad that the woman had passed away. As a little girl back then, she immediately believed what her father said. The next day, she went to school and told her classmates that her educator had died after falling off the cliff. She never questioned this idea for 15 years. When she grew up and was in college, the truth unfolded most unexpectedly. When the woman returned home for Christmas break, she found a card sent by her violin teacher. When she inquired with her parent, he dropped the shocking truth. He said, "Oh yeah, I was just sick of hearing you practice the violin."

A little girl is focused on playing the violin. (Representative Image Source: Pexels| Sean Tian)
A little girl is focused on playing the violin. (Representative Image Source: Pexels| Sean Tian)

A research study by PMC noted that many parents resort to lying for different reasons. It is usually to influence their children's emotions, or to protect them. Dads and moms also deceive their kids when they want them to comply behaviorally. For instance, folks might suggest "calling the police" if one doesn't finish their meals. However, it doesn't really justify the reason why Kang's dad hid the truth. Sharing the hilarious experience, the woman wrote, "Anyway, so no, I can't play the violin." The internet found the situation shocking but also hilarious at the same time. 

Shocked woman using phone. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Ekaterina Demidova)
A shocked woman using a phone. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Ekaterina Demidova)

@eastmiji remarked, "Humans are wild, especially parents." @ladygroovedrums commented, "Died?! He should have kept you playing and just sucked it up, but if he was gonna lie… he could have just told you she moved." @socialworkdiva pointed out, "So both you and dad are liars because he never told you she fell off a cliff. Seriously, though, go heal your inner child and learn to play the violin. You will thank yourself for it."

For more such stories, follow @nicolekang on Instagram.

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