Appearance vs. Reality - Was Piscine (Pi) Patel's journey across the Pacific just another story, or was it the truth?

Most members of a society experience a tragic event; for example, the loss of a friend, loved one, etc. Yann Martel's novel Life of Pi tells the story of Piscine (Pi) Patel, an Indian boy named after a pool in France, who sets sail with his family towards Canada, with their father's collection of zoo animals. As soon their boat reached the open Pacific, it sank. Pi managed to get aboard a lifeboat where he …

…second story most likely is the truth without any religious aspects in it. "Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books. Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin. Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true." [paraphrased] -Buddha 3