Don’t Be A Fool
Oh my, oh my. We’ve reached the end of March. Dear Readers, you know what that means don’t you? April will be here in the blink of an eye.
There’s nothing wrong with that, of course. Well, except for that first day.
Let me ask you something about the foolishness that is nearly upon us.
What do you really know about April Fools’ Day? And why do we play tricks on one another? Some of them aren’t even nice!
How did this wacky tradition get started? I’m Scoop the Cub Reporter and that’s the question we’ve been kicking around for The Shady Pines Gazette news.
My editor, Ms. Zulah Talmage, and I are working on our next article.
Zulah bangs her hands on her desk. “Scoop, I don’t get it. We’ve talked to people all around town and now I’ve looked through everything I can find on the internet,” says a frustrated Zulah. “There are all sorts of theories about how this blasted day got started, but nothing for sure.”
Scoop swivels in his chair to look at her. “I know. All I could find is that this day of pranking goes back ages.”
Scoops scrolls through all the articles he’s found. “April Fools got its name from playing practical jokes.”
Scoop points to some examples.
“It’s says here it’s like painting the face of someone’s who’s asleep, 
or tying their shoelaces together to make them trip, or sending them on so-called fools’ errands.”
No Harmful Pranks
“Yes,” says Zulah as she crosses the room to get another cup of coffee. “You’re suppose to be creative, but not mean. Like putting salt in the sugar container is not only a bad prank it can be harmful.”
Scoop thinks for a minute. “Yeah. If you put a bunch of salt in your coffee Ms. Zulah you’d start choking!”
Zulah holds her coffee and mug and points at it. “Exactly. And that’s not funny.”
What Should You Do?
Scoop scans his computer. “It says here a prank should be something that requires planning, timing, and maybe a little acting. The whole idea is that when you shout, “April Fools’ Day” the person you pranked should at least smile if not laugh. Oh, and here are some jokes.”
Joke Time
Zulah nods her head in agreement. “OK. Scoop, why don’t you share some of the jokes you’re seeing?”
Q: What do you call a dog with no tail? A: A hot dog!
Q: Where do sheep get their hair cut? A: At the baa-baa shop!”
Q: Why is six afraid of seven? A: Because seven ate nine!”
Upside Down and Turn Around
Zulah is on her computer searching for ideas, too. “Oh this sounds like fun for parents and kids.”
Turn some things in your house upside down like an empty wastebasket, a cup or a small stool. Then you ask the child to search for the objects and turn them right side up.
You can also turn stuff backwards like turn a TV face to the wall, the back of a chair turned towards the table, and books with spines facing the back of the bookshelf. Can your kids find the backwards objects?
Finally, play turn-around tricks like making the bed with the pillows at the foot instead of the head, or change the seating arrangement around your dining room table and have the kids put it back the right way.
These ideas are playful and not mean spirited.
A Few Parting Thoughts
“I guess Ms. Zulah, it really just comes down to the Golden Rule,” says Scoop.
Zulah is scribbling notes in her reporter notebook. She looks up. “What do you mean Scoop?”
He cocks his head to one side. “It’s just like any other day. We should treat people the way we would like to be treated. You can have fun, but don’t hurt someone else’s feelings while you do it.”
Zulah lays her pen down. “Why, Scoop I think that is the best way to look at it. After all that’s what our small Southern town is all about – kindness and caring. I think you should write the article.”
“Thank you Ms. Zulah!”
“And remember Scoop, it’s April Fools’ Day NOT April Fool’s Day.”
What a fun post. Thanks Shady Pines
Excellent post, Mary Jane. No foolin’! The first day of April is also the start of my favorite month of the year!
Love that Jerry. Thank you!
I really like how this site uses current event and always wraps the message in kindness
My brother did that face painting on me once. We were just kids but I still remember tearing after him
Thanks for sharing that Sharon!
Thank you, Shady Pines, for giving us all something to smile about!
So glad it made you smile Tammy. Thank you!
My brother did that face painting on me while I was sleeping. We were just kids but I still remember tearing after him
That’s quite a memory Jim!
I never liked pranks being played on me. I’m happy to see how you pointed out that you can be clever and kind at the same time
April Fools Day was always a day my Dad let loose with the “ Dad jokes”. He always had one waiting for us when we got up on April 1st. Sweet memories, thank you!
Ah. The Dad jokes. Can’t beat them. Thank you Stephanie!
What a lovely story! I never knew how the April Fool’s Day got started and I thoroughly enjoyed the post!
Glad you liked it Sunny. Thank you!
lol! My mom got me the best one year and I never forgot it. She claimed a circus train had an accident and an elephant got loose, it was wondering around the Jersey Parkway! But I had no idea how the tradition started!
Good one mom! Glad you enjoyed it Sharon
You gave us something to ponder. Someone was attempting for a day of jokes, perhaps.
It seems that way Elaine!
I never really thought about the origins of this day or its implications. Thank you Shady Pines
I have never liked to be pranked. I’m so glad you showed how to do so in a way that is not mean. Well done
Great message and fun to think about all the times as kids when we were playing April Fool’s pranks on our friends! Than you Shady Pines !
Thank you Teresa. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Nice reminder that April Fools’ Day isn’t about pranking that can be harmful to folks. It’s all about light hearted fun which comes across in Shady Pines. Thanks for the reminder!
Exactly Barbara. Thank you for pointing that out!
It’s April Fool Day a silly day for
most of us but for maybe four to ten. You’ve done a great job on
making us smile, in spite of the ridiculousness of this day. Shady Pines story time is the BEST!
Thank you Jane. I appreciate that!
I think you gave a great test for whether or not a prank has gone too far. The person should at least smile. I always hope no one pranks me on April Fool’s though.
Pranking is definitely not for everyone Sheri that’s for sure!
Always finding a way to show kindness and caring – love it!
Thank you Joanne!
I needed something lighthearted this evening. So glad to see Shady Pines show up in my email
What a fun post with a great message as usual. Thanks for sending