Bunnies, Eggs, and All That
It won’t be long. Easter is only days away. 
The good folks in Shady Pines Story Town are all atwitter about this most festive of holidays.
But there are two residents of our small Southern town who are mighty confused about this celebrated day.
Boomer and Halley can’t quite understand what all the fuss is about.
The four legged children of Harold and Edna Sanders watch as their mom puts green, grass-like stuff in a basket. Next, Edna places a bunny in 
the middle with colorful eggs around it.
“Oh, my,” she says. “An Easter basket is just the thing to brighten the day!”
Boomer and Halley look at one another. “What does a rabbit have to do with colored eggs?” asks Boomerang, the confused Australian Shepherd dog.
“Don’t look at me,” says Halley’s Comet, a silver streak of a cat. “Everyone knows bunnies don’t lay eggs.”
You know, dear readers, Boomer and Halley have a point. And that got us thinking about the symbols and traditions related to this holiday.
For instance, how did we end up with an egg laying bunny? 
Halley is eggsactly right. Bunnies don’t lay eggs. Chickens lay eggs. And yet, you always see a bunny surrounded by colorful eggs. Now how did that get started?
Well we did a little digging and it turns out the myth of the Easter Bunny is not easy to pin down! But there is an historic reason why a rascally rabbit was chosen.
And, no, we’re not going to even try to explain The Easter Bunny that shows up in your local Mall. That’s a whole other subject.
Here’s what we do know. Rabbits have been part of springtime celebrations for a really long time. After all, baby rabbits 
are mostly born in the spring. That’s one reason.
The Goddess who Started it All
To find the link between springtime, rabbits and eggs you have to waaaay back in history – to the fourth century. There you find the symbol of the season of renewal, which is spring. 
And SHE was something. Back then, they talked about the goddess of dawn and new birth. Her name was Eostre. When she shows up in books she is usually drawn to look like a woman in a flowing dress.
This goddess’ name came from the ancient word for spring which was Eastre. (Easter for us) The animal most associated with the goddess Eastre was the rabbit. The symbol for the rebirth of life in springtime was the egg.
Got it? The connection between 
the Easter Bunny and the eggs is a goddess. Pretty cool, huh?
Chocolate Bunnies?
Boomer and Halley’s dad, Harold, has wandered into the kitchen. 
When he sees Edna’s project, he can’t help himself. He starts unwrapping the chocolate eggs and eating them.
What are you doing?” asks a shocked Edna. “Those are for the baskets I’m making for the picnic on Sunday!”
Now Boomer and Halley are befuddled once again. “I know we’re not supposed to eat chocolate ’cause it’s bad for us,” says Boomer.
Halley licks her paws. “Yeah, but if dad can’t eat chocolate either, then what’s the point?” She shakes her head. “I don’t understand humans.”
Once again, the animals have raised a good question. What about the chocolate Easter bunny? When did it start?
For that symbol we 
go back to the 1600’s. That’s when a rabbit known as Osterhas, begins popping up in literature. His name translates as ‘Easter rabbit.’ As the story goes, the furry critter was said to leave colorful eggs all around for children to find on Easter Sunday. When the first Europeans landed in America, they brought this tradition with them.
Easter Baskets and Containers
And why is Edna making these baskets? This is another symbol that we can trace back to ‘ole Osterhas, the original Easter Bunny.
When children found all those eggs he had hidden, they had to put them somewhere. So they made nests, or as we know them today, Easter baskets.
Nowadays those baskets and containers come in all shapes
and sizes and are decorated to the hilt.
Some baskets not only have decorated eggs and chocolate bunnies, but little games and other toys, too.
So remember two things before you go on an Easter Egg Hunt, or you dive into a basket full of goodies. You have the Goddess Eostre (Easter) and that rabbit 
Osterhas to thank for giving us an excuse to eat a few more chocolates on Easter Sunday!
And if you see Boomer and Halley, let them know they’re not the only ones who may be confused about Easter symbols and traditions.
From all of us in In Shady Pines where kindness and caring lives, we wish you a delightful holiday.
Terrific – nice to know the history of Easter.
Glad you enjoyed it Frank
I really like the positive messaging in these Shady Pines posts and I learned something too
What a clever post. Finally got around to reading it
I’m right there with Boomer and Halley. I had no idea. Good post
This is the first time anyone explained these traditions to me. Love Shady Pines
Thank you Jim!
Thanks for the history lesson! I’ll share with my grandchildren this weekend!
You’re so very welcome. I’m glad you will pass the info along!
Lo**@**im.us
We’re here in Germany at the moment and Easter is a really much celebrated holiday. We got our pictures taken with the Osterhas!
Thank you for all that history. I had no idea!
That is really special Sheri. And I’m glad you could relate to the information in such a real life way!
I didn’t know the history behind the holiday. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure. Happy Easter Teresa!
Very good information. And entertaining
I really like the way you use these characters to help children learn something new. Me too!
That’s so great. Thanks Sharon!
I’ve always wondered about these origins . That’s for the knowledge.
You’re welcome Barbara. Glad you liked it!
What an interesting story. Thanks for sharing
You’re welcome Susan. Happy Easter!
Just goes to show you are never too old to learn something new. Happy Easter!
That’s for sure. Happy Easter Joanne!
Thank you for explaining some of these traditions. I had no idea
We can all agree Easter is a sweet holiday 🐰 .
We can indeed Elaine. Happy Easter!
What a fun post. My grandkids are visiting this weekend. Can’t wait to show this to them
What wonderful info about Easter baskets, eggs etc I love Halley’s comment on “I don’t understand humans” me either Halley I love learning Easter basket origin
Thank you🐇
So happy you enjoyed it Jane and that you have something in common with Halley!