Mix a little foolishness with your prudence: It’s good to be silly at the right moment.
– Quintus Horatius Flaccus, Roman lyric poet
Today is April’s Fool Day. So, be on your guard.
My first encounter with an April Fool’s prank still remains vivid in my memory; it was April 1, 1967, when I was just nine years old and in Primary Three. On that particular weekend, my father treated us to breakfast at his favourite coffeeshop, ‘Ban Chuan’, situated across from the Standard Chartered Bank in Blacksmith Road, Sibu.
For my family, eating out was a rare treat and a privilege for most Sibu folk, so this gesture from my dad was unusual. As we savoured our kampua, kompiah, and the delectable kucai/taugeh/egg kueh tiaw, my mother couldn’t help but ask about the special occasion.
With his usual stoic expression, my dad casually answered, “I struck the first prize!”
Naturally, my mother was curious about the prize money. “How much did you win?” she asked eagerly. “Oh, $400,000 (back then it was dollars and cents) ,” replied my dad, trying to maintain a straight face.
My mother, my two sisters, and I were naturally euphoric about the news. Tears of joy even welled up in my mum’s eyes.
However, the bubble of excitement burst later when we returned home as it turned out that dad was just cracking a prank. We went from euphoria to disappointment in an instant. Dad certainly had a mischievous streak!
Nevertheless, April Fool’s Day, with its tradition of playful pranks and practical jokes, has become a universal phenomenon.
On one hand, this day can serve as a form of escapism from the monotony of our daily life. In a world plagued by stress, political upheavals, genocides, racism and religious fanaticism, I should say April Fool’s Day offers a reprieve, bringing out the child in us and allowing us to indulge in moments of pure silliness. The joy of sharing clever pranks or falling victim to harmless hoaxes creates a sense of friendship and bonds us through shared laughter.
Says Hadzman Johny, the admin of our WhatsApp group, “In schools, workplaces and households, April Fool’s Day sparks creativity and encourages individuals to think outside the box.
“From fake snakes strategically placed to elicit screams of terror to elaborate schemes involving fake lottery tickets or unexpected office memos, the possibilities for mischief are endless.”
Hadzman himself was a victim of numerous pranks in the past; but now he has wised up and plays along. Well, for me April’s Fool injects a sense of excitement into an otherwise ordinary day.
As someone who once revelled in pulling pranks, my enthusiasm waned after a memorable incident more than two decades ago. Amidst the fervour of the 2002 Fifa World Cup where Japan and South Korea were chosen as joint hosts, I decided to play a practical joke targeting soccer fans, particularly diehard followers of the Brazilian squad.
I came up with a news item announcing The Selecao had selected the Far East, including Malaysia, as venues for friendly matches as part of their World Cup preparations. The announcement, made on April 1, drew eager anticipation, with many fans planning trips to the supposed venue at the Serian mini-stadium.
To drop hints that it was an April Fool’s joke, I included the names of retired or long-dead Brazilian soccer legends like Didi, Junior, Garrincha, Tostão, Rivellino, Zico, Socrates, Carlos Alberto, Falcão etc among players who would be meeting Sarawak fans. Despite these clues, many fans arrived to an empty stadium, oblivious to the prank until the realisation dawned that they had been taken for a ride.
The result was chaotic, with our newspaper inundated with furious calls, some even threatening to burn down the office. I faced the ire of my lady boss, who sternly forbade any future April Fool’s pranks under threat of dismissal.
Her final advice before I was asked to leave her office: “No more April Fool pranks in my paper from now onwards or you will have to look for a new paper to work for!”
Since then, I’ve abstained from April 1 antics.
April Fool’s Day is a cultural phenomenon embraced by office staff, media outlets, and perhaps even governments. Mainstream mass media – like my newspaper that I was working for – craft elaborate hoaxes, testing the gullibility of readers while displaying their creativity and wit which may be revealed as such the next day.
But these days, the advent of social media has made it more complicated, with most of the people running these platforms going overboard. In an era where misinformation spreads like wildfire, distinguishing between genuine news and April Fool’s Day hoaxes can prove challenging, leading to confusion and mistrust.
So, this day is not without its drawbacks. While the intention behind most pranks may be light-hearted, the execution can sometimes border on insensitivity or cruelty.
What begins as harmless fun can quickly escalate into hurt feelings, damaged relationships, or even legal consequences.
Furthermore, not everyone shares in the enthusiasm for April Fool’s Day. For some individuals, the constant threat of being pranked or embarrassed can evoke feelings of anxiety or dread, prompting them to approach the day with caution or outright disdain.
The fear of falling victim to a prank can cast a shadow over an otherwise enjoyable occasion, dampening the spirit of friendship and trust.
In recent years, there has been a growing call for restraint and consideration on April Fool’s Day. Recognising the potential harm of thoughtless jests advocates the importance of consent and respect when engaging in playful deception.
I believe April Fool’s Day can evolve into a celebration that brings joy without causing harm, provided we can prioritise the well-being of others and cultivate an atmosphere of mutual trust,.
Despite its complexities and controversies, there’s no denying the enduring appeal of April Fool’s Day. As we navigate the highs and lows of this day, let us embrace the laughter, cherish the friendship, and approach each prank with a spirit of kindness and goodwill.
Whether we find ourselves on the giving or receiving end of a prank, let us take heart and remember that the true essence of April Fool’s Day lies not in the trickery itself, but in the joy of shared laughter and the bonds that unite us in moments of merriment.
So, as the day unfolds and the pranks abound, may we all find ourselves laughing heartily, for in the end, the greatest joke of all is the joy of being alive to share in the merriment of April Fool’s Day.
Happy April Fool’s Day to my loved ones, relatives, friends and social media friends. And to my colleagues – eat, drink and crack jokes for tomorrow we might not be around to laugh.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
