Type the correct verb forms to complete the story

One day an old gentleman [ ] through the park. He [ ] a group of children standing near a tree. There [ ] a cat in the tree. The gentleman [ ] to the tree and asked what they [ ]. One of the boys [ ] him that they were having a competition. "We are telling lies," said the boy. "And the one who [ ] the biggest lie [ ] the cat." The gentleman [ ] it [ ] a good chance to teach the children a lesson. He [ ] them that their competition was unusual. And then he said, "You know, I never told a lie in my life." All at once the children [ ] to laugh and they [ ], "The cat is yours, sir."