Admitting your faults and weakneses

Nigel's getting cocky.

He's asking me how well I did in primary school, if I ever got 3rd position and how well I scored in my Chinese. To be frank, he's doing a lot better than me and I'm happy for him. But as a parent, should I admit that I wasn't as good as he was, or lie to become a role-model for him to look up to and work towards? If I tell him I failed at a certain subject, would he take it as permission to stop trying? But I don't want to lie, but I want to show that I am human, can admit weaknesses and survive. And that life will have ups and downs.

I think he's making fun of me though, which I'm ok with. I'm happy to be his cheerleader.