Reading Skills for Today's Adults

“Look! There’s a camel walking down the street. April Fool!” “There’s a spider in your hair. April Fool!” A teacher says to her students, “I’m not assigning any homework tonight.” The students are thrilled; they have wide smiles on their faces. The teacher then says, “April Fools!” We can spread April Fools’ Day fun through our words and actions.

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Sam took the sugar out of the sugar bowl and replaced it with salt. His dad mixed a spoonful of what he thought was sugar into his morning cup of coffee. After just one sip, Sam’s dad spit the coffee out and onto the table. It tasted awful! Sam, who was quietly eating his breakfast, proudly exclaimed, “Happy April Fools’ Day, Dad!” They both had a good laugh. 

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April 1st is April Fools’ Day. Many people like to play jokes or tricks on this day. These jokes are for fun only. They are silly, not harmful or mean. You will often hear April Fools’ Day jokes on the radio or TV. Some even appear in the newspapers. If you believe the jokes and silly stories on the radio, TV, or in newspapers, you are an “April Fool.” 

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Where did the April Fools’ Day holiday begin? Why on April 1st? No one knows where or when April Fools’ Day began. Some people believe it started in France in the 1500s. Others believe it began in Italy. April Fools’ Day has been celebrated in England and Scotland since the 1700s.

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Some people think April Fools’ Day started because of the spring weather. In the spring, the weather changes every day. One day it may be 80 degrees, and the next day it could be 50. The spring weather tricks people. 

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No matter how or when it began, April Fools’ Day is a fun, silly holiday celebrated by people all over the world. People enjoy the fun and laughter of playing tricks on each other. Mark Twain said, “The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.”