April Fool

April Fool's Day

is a day when people play jokes on

each other. The Roman festival of 

Hilaria, held on March 25th, and the

Medieval Festival of Fools, on Dec.28th,

may be the beginnings of April Fools Day.

Iranians play jokes on each other on the 13th

day of the Persian New Year, which falls on

April 1st or 2nd, and many believe that it

is the origin of April Fool's Day.

A "fool" is also a term for a court jester,

who entertained the king and court.

According to Wikipedia, "The fool's status

was one of privilege within a royal or noble 

household. His folly could be regarded as the

ravings of a madman, but was often deemed

divinely inspired."  Jesters served not only

to amuse, but to criticize their master

and mistress, or guests.

The jester could mock and freely dispense

insight, while a nobleman could find himself

in the dungeon for similar remarks!

"What soap is to the body,

laughter is to the soul."

~ Yiddish Proverb

Have you had a good laugh today?