One day short of being a fool

One Day short of being a fool.

“I was prepared. It happens every year.” Anthony Howel reported to CNN agency on March 30. “But this year, thanks to my neighbour, George, I had time to prepare.”

This year Anthony hoped to thwart the pranksters. Because Anthony had the time to batten down the hatches, so to speak, and avoid the massive damage that last year raised his insurance rates, ruined the neighbourhood’s good will and caused the traffic gridlock that has affected this area on March 31st, for the last thirty years.

Anthony Howel has suffered not only birthday pranks but April Fools’ Day pranks for all of his life. Since he was born on March 31st, every year he heard what his Daddy told him;

“You’re one day short of being a Fool.”

George Coleman, Anthony’s long time neighbour, agreed with Anthony that the annual occurrence would simply not happen this year. His response was, “We have a plan.”
The comment was followed by a giggle not heard before in this neighbourhood.

This year, when George Coleman reminded Anthony of the approaching date, Anthony wanted to stop the jokes and in preparation, produced a twenty-five foot wide, six -foot high banner that read;

“ANTHONY'S BIRTH DATE IS MARCH 31st.
ONE DAY SHORT OF BEING A FOOL!”

On March 29, using crazy glue, Anthony and George applied the banner to the front of Anthony’s brick house. On his birthday Anthony’s wife threw a neighbourhood party and the neighbours agreed, that sure enough, everyone now knew that Anthony was indeed, not a fool.

Unfortunately that ego boost didn’t last. Anthony has not been able to entirely remove the banner. Some pieces of the sign remain on the brick structure. Some neighbours are beginning to complain. Now the traffic jam of gawkers is causing major gridlock.

Some say it’s better, (or worse) than a Christmas light display.

George Coleman was not available for comment. His wife reported he has not stopped laughing since April 5th when the sign read;

“ANTHONY IS ONE DAY BEING A FOOL.”

Anthony Howel continues to peel off sections of the tattered banner. George Coleman is recovering from the heart attack suffered while laughing at the sign on Anthony’s house.
As of April 15th the sign on the front of the Howel residence reads;

“ANTHONY IS A FOOL.”