Final answer:
Despite knowing that the story of Santa Claus is not true, people tell it to children because it teaches values and brings joy. This is similar to the way teddy bears and characters like Smokey Bear are used in storytelling to teach and entertain.
Step-by-step explanation:
People continue to tell children the story of Santa Claus even though it is not true because they find value in the tradition. Engaging in this practice brings them joy, as they delight in making children happy. This storytelling serves a bigger purpose as well: it teaches a valuable lesson about the joy of giving and the adage that it is better to give than to receive. Similarly, the use of rhetorical devices in the identification of the teddy bear and characters like Smokey Bear shows the power of storytelling and symbols to convey messages and ethical values, such as safety and conservation, to both children and adults.