Benjamin has been planning. April Fools Day is on his radar, and he practiced his lines two weeks ago while we drove to the gym. It is not from a love of making others feel foolish, despite the name, but rather the scandalous invitation to tell an untruth. 

 

Ben's moral compass is clear. Lying is not okay. But on this one day each year it is a brand of mischief that is acceptable, akin to staying up too late on New Year's Eve, or asking for the biggest piece of cake on his birthday. 

 

He does not misuse the privilege by leaving his would be fool hanging. On the contrary, the spoof becomes a run on sentence with the disclaimer. 

 

"Acorn is a well behaved cat April Fool!"

 

Acorn is the mischievous feline who has become his scapegoat. Bad motives can be attributed to her without regard for whether she deserves them.

 

I find Ben's fascination with the tradition charming. Maybe it is because it provides a backdrop to his untarnished regard for truth telling. Releasing the self restraint for a confined amount of time allows him to rededicate himself to honesty. 

 

There are aspects of this earthly life that may never happen for Benjamin. A salary, a partner, a license, and independent travel will probably not be in his experience. 

 

But none of that disqualifies him from integrity.