Why The Chocolate Eggs And Rabbits?

"Why The Chocolate Eggs And Rabbits?" is a short story taking place in the Smurf Me Up series.

The Story
The Smurflings are all seen running around the village as they hold baskets. Many of their baskets contain eggs and many other goodies for them to enjoy. One of them falls of Snappy’s basket and begins to roll to where Aksel Smurf is standing outside his house.

Aksel: Hmm… What’s this?

Snappy: Friar Smurf. May I please have my egg back?

Aksel: Bless you child. May I ask what happens when you find all these eggs?

Snappy: Easy, I win! Duh! It’s part of what Easter stands for.

Aksel: Oh! Really now? Why don’ you tell me what Easter is all about then. I am very curious after all.

Snappy: Well uh… You see… It’s uhm… Gee, I don’t think I really know. I’m sure it has something to do with rabbits and eggs though. Do rabbits even lay eggs?

Nat: No they don’t. Trust me, I know all about animals.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">All the Smurflings begin to gather around Aksel puzzled and confused.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Angelo: So what is it about than Mr. Friar Smurf?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: Well, you all just happened to come to the right Smurf who knows what really happened on what we all call “Easter.”   Everyone gather around and listen to my tale.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel its down on a stump as the Smurflings all sit in front of him together as he gets ready to talk.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: We must all now be aware that our lord and savior died for all of our sins. He was falsely accused of being a dangerous man. Now this obviously was not true. Ho ho, but the leaders of he temple in those days were not to sure about Jesus. They knew something had to be done about him. Jesus of course was with his followers were having what we call the last supper, since it may have been Jesus’ last meal before being betrayed by one of his own. He began parting the bread in the table passing around the wine. He later announced how he knew he was going to be betrayed by one of his own. Later that night, his traitorous follower Judas went and   got paid by the leaders of the temple to go and take them to where Jesus was. They all found Jesus in the end. So, what they did was…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Snappy: They threw eggs at him?! This is why we use eggs and rabbits!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: No.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Sassette: Holy mowley! They through rabbits at him?! The bunny part comes from this!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: No.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Baby Smurf: They had him arrested?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: No! Wait… I mean yes! Ahem. Yes, they had him arrested. He was brought to the city, where many of those who followed in his teachings were now all mocking and spitting at his face. He was then sent to be judged by the people and the man known as Pontius Pilate. This is where things went out of control as the people chose to have Jesus put to death by an extreme form known as crucifixion. And let me tell you, it wasn’t pretty at all.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Angelo: With all due respect Mr. Friar Smurf, this doesn’t sound like anything to celebrate about. Did the rabbits come to help with chocolate eggs?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: Hush child. I am getting to the point. Where was I again? Oh yes. Jesus was getting arrested.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Snappy: You already said that! You said he was going to get crucified.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: Right. Right. Jesus was going to get crucified, but before this could happen, the Romans decided to mock him even more by making him carry his own cross. It was a long trip and Jesus could barely hold it. In the end, well… he was crucified and he died on that cross. His death however is what had us all saved.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Slouchy: Saved us?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: Yes child. He died for our sins. He didn’t have to, but he still did because he loves us all so much and is very forgiving. In fact, God loves us so much that he allowed his son to get killed to save every life form in this Earth.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Angelo: And this is why we celebrate Easter? He saved, then he gave us chocolate and goodies right?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: I’m getting there. Anyways, Jesus was dead. He was placed in a tomb, where he performed another miracle; Resurrection. Yes young ones, our friend had risen from the dead on the third day after being killed. He went to go see his disciples who could not believe the sight. They even thought he was a ghost. But no, he proved them wrong after allowing them to feel his flesh and after they had seen the wounds on the center of his hands, where the nails had gone through. After this, he ascended into Heaven. This my children, is why we celebrate Easter. We humbly remember the sacrifice that was made just for all of us.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Sassette: But, weren’t his followers going to miss being with him?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: My child. Do you not see? He is still here with us all. He’s inside all of us. We do not need to wait for his return. When we all look at each other, we are all seeing Christ in every one of us, not physically, but spiritually.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Snappy: I understand. But why do we have egg hunts and what’s the point of rabbits for Easter then?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: That is an egg-cellent question. Heh heh heh… You see uhm… well…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel is interrupted by Smurfette who arrives in the scene.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Smurfette: Hello Aksel. I’m sorry if I interrupted your story but I need to take Angelo and Blue with me. It is getting late after all.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Baby Smurf: Aww Mom!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Smurfette: It’s for your own good my little ones. You two have school tomorrow and need you sleep. Did you finish your homework Angelo?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Angelo: Yes ma’am…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Smurfette picks up both of her boys and kisses their cheeks and takes them with her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Baby Smurf: Mom! Not in front of my friends!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Smurfette laughs as Baby Smurf jumps off and walks with his mother in an embarrassed manner while Angelo hugs his mother dearly and doesn’t mind being held.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: Well, it is getting late.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Snappy: Aw come on! We were going to find out about the rabbits and eggs.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: I’m afraid that this will have to be a story for next time child.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Sassette: Oh, can’t you tell us right now?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: Maybe tomorrow, after you finish your studies of course.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel picks up the egg and hands it to Snappy.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: Alright little ones, it’s time for you to head to your home now and get ready for a new day.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">The Smurflings bid their farewells to Aksel and they run off with their candy and eggs back to their house. Aksel then smiles and enters the temple.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: It brings me great joy that the youth of this village really showed interest in your ways.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel approaches an altar and kneels before it and begins to pray. He gets up and pulls out a chalice and a piece of bread. He breaks part of the bread and eats it, then takes a sip from his the chalice and is seen chanting in his native tongue, what is assumed to be a song of praise and worship. He stops surprised and jumps down next to a line of benches.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Aksel: Why the chocolate eggs and rabbits?!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Meanwhile, back at the big house, Angelo and his brother are seen eating acorns and porridge for dinner.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Smurfette: Did you boys have fun this Easter?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Angelo: Oh, it was awesome mom! I got the egg you painted right here! And, and, and ooooh! Mr. Aksel told us an Easter story too!

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Smurfette: Your Easter sounded like fun.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Both Smurflings jump off their chairs surprised when they hear a loud quack.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Baby Smurf: Uhm Mom? I think you’re friend Ducky is here…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Smurfette opens a window and in jumps Ducky. Smurfette hugs the duck and gives him a chocolate egg. Ducky eats it, and smiles as he rubs his head on Smurfette.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Angelo: Pssst. Big brother. I still have a question.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Baby Smurf: What is it Angelo?

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin">Angelo: Why the chocolate eggs and rabbits?