by Mortimer Evans

Created on: December 14, 2009

Of course children's chocolate intake should be limited, but maybe not for the reasons you think...

Allow me to explain.

It seems the bunny as an Easter symbol has its origins in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s. The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s. And were made of pastry and sugar.  "Bunny biscuits", as it were.

Okay, that might not have a lot to do with limits on chocolate, but stay with me, people - I'm getting there.

The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve. The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of chocolate eggs.

Let's look at that again. "a nest of chocolate eggs". Um, what the?

Someone in the German education system has to be blamed for this.  Whoever was teaching these children that rabbits lay eggs should be made accountable for corrupting the minds of youths.  Rabbits are simply fluffy rodents with eye disease who shouldn’t be allowed near children or homes, much less foodstuffs.

The children would apparently build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests, therefore encouraging the dry cleaning market to flourish as well over this holiday season. 

The biggest problem with Easter bunnies and eggs these days is that the giant companies of this world have gotten hold of it, mass marketed and made us believe that chocolate has anything to do with the Easter celebration.  Quite simply, it doesn’t.  Chocolate should be saved for more traditional events such as dinner parties or body painting with loved ones. 

So just remember this as you allow your children to tuck into their Easter bounty of chocolate… if a bunny really did deliver them then they are most likely stolen, because rabbits simply don’t lay eggs.  Somewhere there is a sad chocolate chicken missing its offspring.  Possession of stolen goods is punishable by a jail sentence with possible community service time thrown in at the end of it. 

So unless you want your kids doing hard time, it's best they stay away from the chocolate eggs.

Enjoy the holiday folks

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