The Vexing Vase

Jack’s class were out on a field trip to a museum to the British Museum and they had seen the Rosetta Stone and went to the China exhibition. As they went to eat, they filed into Kuaile, a high-end Chinese restaurant. Soft playing of the Guzheng was heard as the children ordered their meal. Jack’s mind was going over the excitement of looking at the Rosetta stone.

However, he was captivated by his book, Pride and Prejudice.

As he read on, he heard a scuttle.

Then Jack heard a calamitous crash. 

Jack looked over.

His classmates crowded around.

A vase lay shattered on the ground. The bathroom door opened. Jim walked out. 

Ernie shouted: 

“I saw Jim tip over the vase and slip into the bathroom!”

“This is serious, Ernie,” said Mr. Brown.

“That vase could cost thousands.”

Ernie said: “I saw it! I was eating a fortune cookie, and I spotted the painting over there.”
Ernie pointed at the painting framed at the wall facing him.

“Then I saw Jim walk in front of it, and him accidentally nudging the vase, and when he realised what he had done. So he slipped into the bathroom!”

“That’s a good story,” said Jack. “Enough to prove you’re lying!”

WHY?