As the month of April is at hand there is a kind of preoccupation in my mind. It may be because of the academic closing of schools which has to be planned with outings and trips or may be due to the change of weather that we experience and many times it forewarns me about the first day of the month. Even by the closing days of March my inner voice begins to warn me, “Beware, April first, the April fool day!”
Day of Indelible Memories
When we were children the teachers used to warn us strictly about this day. They will say, “We will tear off your certificate and send you out. You cannot write your annual examination and you will spoil your whole future!” They will frighten with all their powers and means. But who cares? In spite of all these warnings and punishments our mischievous reactions on this day were on the increase only. Even the first grade boys will have potato seals with the letters “A.F.” which can display impressions on the back of others' shirts. Some will present chocolates to their friends to see their fooled faces when they open the covers and find a stones inside! As the grades are higher the heroic deeds are more mischievous!
My A. F. Experiences
When I was in the sixth grade, I was searching for a victim on an April fool day. Unfortunately it was a holiday and I could not get any of my friends. I just looked at the daily and got a phone number. It was a rental ad. An advertisement about leasing their house for rent. I dialed the phone and there was a “hello” from the other side. There was a condition in the ad. “House for rent only for those who don't have children.”
“ I don't have children .My father and mother are with me. I want to have your house for rent,” I told the lady who was on the phone.
Probably she should be the owner of the house.
“Did you read the condition?” she asked in a serious tone.
“Yes I read,” I replied.
“Sure, but where are you calling from?”
“From Chennai,” I told her the fact since her house was five hundred kilometers away from my place.
“Where are you employed? Got any transfer?”
“I am not employed. Only my daddy is,” and the phone was cut immediately with a banging noise!
In schools, we get a lot of such fooling stories. I still remember my experience during my first year. I was given a substitute teacher post in a primary school immediately after my training. I had all the enthusiasm of teaching and getting a good name from the school management as well as the children. On the first day of April, the head teacher of the school assembled all the teachers and asked us to give a strict warning in the class about committing any mischief on the April Fool Day. I entered my second grade class with an unusually serious face and began to advice the children not to be caught with any mischief of April Fool Day. I quoted all kinds of punishments id they any anything.
When I was about to begin the lesson little Johnny stood up timidly and asked me, “Teacher, will you punish me if I had not done anything?”
“No Johnny, I never punish anybody for not doing things,” with all magnanimity I assured him.
“Thank you teacher, I didn't do my homework today,” confidently he sat on his seat and the class began giggling looking at my ashamed face.
Is it a Mocking Celebration?
Many times I think that it could be a mocking celebration. Ancient cultures have their new year around the month of April. In India, China and other ancient countries had their New Year celebrations during these days. Even today we celebrate the New Year days of the Indian calendars in April only. It was only in 1582; Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar (the Gregorian calendar) to replace the old Julian calendar. The new calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated January 1. Immediately, France adopted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year' Day to January 1. Many people either refused to accept the new date, or did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1. Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, trying to trick them into believing something false. Eventually, the practice spread throughout Europe.
Anyhow, it has become a warning for us in India to take precautions for the burning heat of summer of the following months. It should open all our eyes. April Fool Day on the first of April should make us realize how we are fooled by our selfish and shortsighted nature!
