How to Have April Fool's Fun Without Crossing the Line

According to The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, April Fool's Day or All Fools Day is a, holiday of uncertain origin, known for practical joking and celebrated on the first of April. Prior to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1564, the date was observed as New Year's Day by cultures as varied as the Roman and the Hindu. The holiday is considered to be related to the festival of the vernal equinox, which occurs on Mar. 21. The English gave April Fool's Day its first widespread celebration during the 18th cent."

You were born with a funny bone - two in fact. This fine and noble holiday is the perfect opportunity to put them to good use. After all, the question in your mind should not be whether or not to partake in the abundant festivities on April 1^st and bask in its glorious mirth; but what prank you will perform and for whom you will devote such effort. Will your tomfoolery be of legendary caliber and inspire thousands of pranksters for years to come, or will you settle for one of the tried and true methods sure to bring a grimace to someone else's face and a smile to yours?

Whatever direction you choose, be wary of straying off the pathway of humor and into the wastelands of cheesiness where you can languish for months without ever provoking a chuckle, a smirk or even a pity laugh. Worse yet, there are those who once upon an April Fool's embarked on the blessed quest to earn the coveted of all responses - the belly laugh - only to find they had unintentionally, but irrevocably crossed the point of no-return into that land of "just not funny and in fact rather cruel." Yes crusaders, heed the lesson to be learned from the unfortunate plight of one shunned by fellow comedian and potential fool alike - do not cross the line.

The Five Laws of the Joke

1. Consider well thy audience and prank accordingly.

2. Limitest thou the damage collateral.

3. Remember, cheesiness never was funniness.

4. Temper thine infliction of pain; for whilst discomfort of the temporary variety is well suited, anguish and humiliation for life are discouraged indeed.

5. Cause not thy victim to incur difficulty financial.

6. Understandest thou the principle of "what goes around comes around," and with cheery heart taketh as thou givest.

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I once read, "some people are like slinkies; not good for much, yet you can't help but smile when you see them tumble down the stairs."

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