Today is April Fool's Day. I am not one usually who celebrates this day. I don't like being pranked (but take pranks played on me with a good nature) and I don't like pranking others (I don't take pleasure in others being humiliated. So usually I just think of this day as one more sign that spring is on its way and that warmer days and longer days are here to come.
I do like the fake news stories that come on this day. And by fake I mean ludicrous and not the same way fake is used by politicians. For instance, a number of years ago, a radio station conducted an interview with Loof Lirpa, a Scandanavian politician, who was talking about a new way of farming that was being conducted in Finland. Mr. Lirpa went on to talk about how they plant their seeds for the crops in the ocean in January and then transplant the seeds into the ground as soon as they could so they could harvest the crop in May. Then another set of seeds was planted in the ocean in May, transplanted in June and another crop was ready to be harvested in October. Thus food production doubled in the country. So convincing was Mr. Lirpa that many farmers phoned in wondering if they could do similar things with crops and lakes in Saskatchewan that the phone lines were full. Then at the end of the program, the announcer said April Fool and revealed that Loof Lirpa was April Fool backwards.
Another time, CBC had an official from from the Canadian mint. The person from the mint explained that the mint had undergone a study and had found that it made good sense to introduce a new coin into circulation- the $3 coin- the threenie. When people used physical money more than they do now, it made sense when making change and with people's spending habits to have a $3 coin. I was thinking to myself- "oh great another coin to weigh down my pocket and how certain businesses were bound to raise their prices from $2 to $3 because of the new coin. It wasn't until I got home that I realized it was April 1st and the story was fake. It did make me laugh that I was taken in with this ruse.
I also appreciate some of the corporate ads that certain businesses come up with to mark April Fool's. WestJet always comes up with good ideas. This year WestJet introduces child free cabins. All children will be checked in as cargo kids. The children will arrive with the luggage once you reach your destination. Of course the story isn't true. It is an April Fool's joke. But no one was harmed or embarrassed by the story.
I say all this for the following reason. I know we all need a good laugh especially during these trying times. But our laughter, especially now, should not be at anyone's expense. We don't need to make anyone a fool especially when all of us need to shore up our self esteem to face the challenges ahead. But these corporate fool's stories of $3 coins and kiddie kargo are a way we can laugh together without anyone feeling like they have been made the brunt of a joke. So enjoy the day but do so in a way that will let others enjoy the day. Blessings.
