Easter 2018
I’m sure I’m not the
only who noticed that Easter and April Fool’s day fall on the same day this
year. So in the spirit of the two days coming together, as it were, I’ve
concocted something a bit different for this year’s contribution. It’s part
whimsy, part nonsense and maybe a part … worth pondering. I’ve entitled this
bit of “word – processing” “Interview
with The Easter Bunny” or “Session at Pete’s Hutch”. (With a nod to Henry
Mancini)
Scene – A well appointed study, with all the
accoutrements that befits a successful individual -- Nothing shabby about these
surroundings, to be sure. My interview subject is seated behind the large,
impressive solid mahogany desk. Well dressed in his casual best, smoking a
pipe, very much at home in this setting – almost reminding one of a kind of … (wait for it) “Playboy” bunny, if you will.
(Or maybe not.)
Mr.Gee
– So, Mister Cottontail or would you rather I address you as the Easter Bunny.
Peter – You can just call me Pete – no need
for formalities when I’m not out on a gig.
Mr.Gee – Okay, Pete. Tell me, what’s it
like to be the Easter Bunny. To have kids all excited about seeing you come
around every year – maybe even leave an Easter egg or two.
Peter – I’ll tell you, the kids are the best
part of the job. (Pause) Well that and all the benefits I get from folks like
Hallmark, Whitman candies, Hershey – you know the ones that I endorse year
after year. I didn’t buy this hutch with a bushel full of carrots, I’ll tell
you that.
Mr.Gee – Yes, I can see you’ve done quite well
for yourself.
Peter – Yes, but not nearly as well as my
cousin, Eric. Man, he struck it rich when they decided to use him as the mascot
for a certain magazine. But let’s not talk about that. (Leans down to whisper)
After all I’m sure some of your readers might care to “go there”. Know I mean?
Mr.Gee – Yes, Pete, I do. And I
appreciate your sensitivity to such things. Speaking of sensitivity, I need to
bring up something that hope is not a sore spot.
Peter – A sore spot?
Me --
Well I’m talking about the rivalry between you and you know who?
Peter – You mean Bugs?
Me – No, I’m not talking about Bugs Bunny. I
was referring to … um, Jesus.
Peter (Reacts) Jesus Christ? You think we’re
rivals, do you? Well, pal let me set you straight on that right now. WE ARE NOT
RIVALS.
Me – Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you though
I did warn you it might be a sore spot.
Peter – Oh, I’m not sore. I’m just dumbfounded
how anyone could consider us, would consider us rivals. I’m at best a fun
distraction for kids mostly – playful, entertaining and some might say I’m
cute. But Jesus … (long pause) Jesus is much more than that. (Leans back in his
chair) Listen most of the guys that know me would say I’m not much of religious
type but come on, you’ve got to give credit where credit is due. Jesus did
something no else had ever done before, will ever do or can ever do.
Me – You’re talking about coming back from the
dead.
Peter – Exactly. No one but no one has every
done that before – because no one else can.
Me – Well, Mr. Cotton … I mean, Pete, how is
it that you’re as prominent in some people’s mind as Jesus is when it comes to
Easter.
Pete Okay, I’ll try and answer that as
briefly as I can since I don’t want to bore you with history – I don’t have
time for that anyway but here’s a crash course in the origins of how I came to be associated with Easter.
It
started back in ancient times with a pagan holiday and folks paying tribute to
the goddess of spring. They felt led to set aside a season to celebrate this
time when new growth happened- in other words a time to celebrate fertility.
Well we rabbits have been identified with that sort of thing for while now and
so it was only natural later on that they chose to use my tribe as a symbol.
Later after church decided to use that same pagan day to recognize the resurrection
of Jesus my ancestors sort came along as part of the package. And we’ve been a
part of that particular season ever since.
Mr. Gee – Yes, I know that the same
sort of scenario has been played out when it comes to Christmas.
Peter – Same thing. Pagan holiday,
that’s a big deal, the church comes along and says let’s choose that day to
celebrate the birth of Jesus. Saint Nicholas becomes identified with the season
and the birth of Jesus winds up getting lost in all the hoopla. Mr. C and I
have spent many evening talking about this. But hey, it’s a money maker (shrugs
his shoulders) whatcaha gonna do. Folks seem to have a way of making the
significant insignificant and vice versa. Of course I can’t complain, I’ve done
alright by it.
Mr. Gee – Indeed you have. Anything else you’d like to add?
Peter – Only this – I’m all about
pretending. All about imagination and fantasy – about wishful thinking, as it
were. Jesus is not about any of that. To get the two of us mixed up is …
Hare-brained (winks) if you know what I mean.
Mr. Gee – I do. Thanks for your time,
Pete.
Peter – You’re welcome.
Soon it will be Easter Sunday –
Resurrection or Foolishness? You get a very clearly defined opportunity to
emphasize one or the other this Sunday—which may well be like a kind of living
parable, I think. This kind of dividing line puts me in mind of an old quote I
remember, which seems appropo’ this year and it goes something like this “I’m a
fool for Christ, who’s fool are you?” I’d say that sort of goes along with
Dylan’s song “You Gotta Serve Somebody”. Indeed we do. Resurrection – faith or
fairytale. It’s always up to us to decide.
Happy Easter
George
Gagliardi
