Nicole’s e-Pistle “April Fools”
April 1, 2026
Greetings, Friends!
I know that new looks can come as somewhat of a surprise, so I wanted to prepare you for what to expect when next you see me in person. Here’s a picture of me with my new pixie haircut!
It will take some getting used to, but I think it offers a fresh new look for spring and summer. I will ask, though, please be kind with any comments you make. I have never gone this short in my life, so I am a little self-conscious over it.
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And now for my actual e-Pistle today. For those of you who may not pay attention to such things, today happens to be April Fools’ Day. I was curious about when playing playful pranks on people became a tradition and why the first day of April was the chosen day for fools, so naturally, I did a bit of research.
There are many theories about the origins of today’s quasi-holiday. Some claim that it began in ancient Rome with springtime festivals and traditions. Others say it had to do with the French turning to the Gregorian calendar in 1582, leading to widespread confusion. Those who insisted on celebrating the former first day of the year, which had been April 1st, were called fools. However, another intriguing theory is that the English author Geoffrey Chaucer referenced the practice of playing pranks on others in his epic poem, “The Canterbury Tales.” In the Nun’s Priest’s Tale, a rooster and fox engaged in pranks against each other on the 32nd day of March, which would be April 1st, though in the actual text, it claims the date to be the third of May at 9 o’clock.
The cock, or rooster, was sitting upon a fence, when the fox snuck up on him and laid out among the flowers in the garden. The rooster was rightfully cautious and asked the fox to leave, but the fox praised the rooster and all its family for having such beautiful singing voices that the fox merely wished to hear him crow. Flattered, the rooster closed his eyes and stretched out his neck to let out his best tune. The fox swiftly pounced on the rooster, taking it in his mouth and headed toward the forest with his prize. The other animals went into a frenzy, chasing after the fox. As soon as they reached the tree line, the rooster conceited that the fox had won – there would be no catching him among the thick trees of the forest. Therefore, suggested the rooster, the fox might as well boast to all the animals that he would dine on his catch and there was nothing they could do about it. No sooner did the fox open his mouth to do just that, than the rooster flew up to a tall branch in a tree. The fox tried to coax him down, saying it had all been a misunderstanding…
‘“No,” said the cock, “and curses on us both,
And first on me if I were such a dunce
As let you fool me oftener than once.
Never again, for all your flattering lies,
You’ll coax a song to make me blink my eyes;
And as for those who blink when they should look,
God blot them from his everlasting Book!”
“Nay, rather,” said the fox, “his plagues be flung
On all who chatter that should hold their tongue.”’
Finally, the narrator finishes the tale with these wise words – wonderful advice to remember on this April Fools’ Day and every day!
“Lo, such it is not be on your guard
Against the flatterers of the world, or yard,
And if you think my story is absurd,
A foolish trifle of a beast and bird,
A fable of a fox, a cock, a hen,
Take hold upon the moral, gentlemen.
St. Paul himself, a saint of great discerning,
Says that all things are written for our learning;
So take the grain and let the chaff be still.
And, gracious Father, if it be thy will
As saith my Savior, make us all good men,
And bring us to his heavenly bliss.
Amen.”
Blessings and Peace, My Friends!
