Joseph Lewis D’Silva
April Fools’ Day, celebrated on April 1 each year, is a day filled with pranks, jokes and light hearted mischief. Here below is one memorable prank associated with April Fools’ Day.
On April first, wise employees; bright workers; meanest of mankind enter the office with the whole intention of fooling others.
A Bank officer named Simpleton received a transfer order to a proposed branch in Karnataka. It was an April Fools’ prank. Excited and anxious, Simpleton went and showed the transfer order to his colleagues.
Mr. Innocent Flash who read it said, “Good. It is a pleasant place.”
Simpleton, looking dejected, uttered: “I do not want to go there.”
“But why?” asked Mr. Innocent Flash.
“Because, I do not know Kannada; I do not know Tamil. I do not want to go to any South Indian branches of the Bank. I can only speak in Konkani, English and a little bit of Portuguese. I do not want to leave golden Goa,” said Simpleton, who by now looked like a grieving widow.
“In that case, why don’t you approach our Head Office? Explain your difficulties and request, to transfer you to our Panjim Branch instead. Our Head Office might agree,” advised Mr. Innocent Flash.
Hope dawned in Simpleton’s eyes. The thought of his transfer being cancelled lifted his spirit. He muttered, “Good advice is beyond price.” Simpleton thought that he would be a fool if he did not follow it.
Some colleagues pitied Simpleton. To prevent him from unnecessary mental stress; someone, softened by guilt; suggested that he verify the signature at the bottom of his transfer order.
There it was! The signature didn’t match. The realisation struck him! He had been fooled on April Fools’ Day! His face turned red with anger and shame. He rose from his chair like a rocket at lift off.
“Who wrote this Letter?” Simpleton thundered! His voice booming through the office, piercing everyone’s ears to a deafening pitch.
The room was as still as the office clock on the wall. There was pin drop silence. No. It was dead silence. Simpleton, scanned the faces around him, searching for signs of guilt. Alas! He could find none. A few suppressed their naughtiest smiles fearing that the blame would jump on them.
Miss typist Tip, did you type this letter?” Simpleton roared like the roaring waves of turbulent tsunami.
There was a pause. There was a denial.
Mr. Typist Top, did you?” Simpleton’s voice yelled like a swimmer in his agony.
Mr. Typist Top, shook his head, so fast in denial; and said in a voice which sounded like a cat whose tail had been stepped upon.
Simpleton continued his search. But, to everyone he went, they shook their head negatively; with another denial; with another pause! Saying, ‘not I’. And everyone, in the Bank, he asked; denied making a sound like cream-cracker biscuits.
Evidence could have been unearthed, if Simpleton had systematically carried the investigation; but he was too furious and could do nothing about it. His shocked mind started thinking illogically: ‘could it be some ghost making fun of him?’ he imagined in fear.
That evening, Simpleton went home; drowning in a sea of doubt; wondering who had pulled off the prank; a ghost or one of his colleagues.
Dear Reader, such office pranks are
enjoyable — but only when the Big Boss tolerates such things. Otherwise, which staff would choose to fool Simpleton in this way?
So, the mystery remained unsolved. Simpleton, despite all his efforts, did not discovered who played the prank on him. April Fools’ Day continues to be a celebration of humor and creativity.