Farewell, Sarah Jane | Doctor Who

Files from the Stone Society: Easter

From the writings of Stan Stone, noted Lepologist (date unknown):

As times changed and rabbits began to walk and talk, the “Easter Bunny” became an increasingly problematic figure.  The Springtimes of those early years heralded a plethora of confusing encounters as the nascent Mimsy Pook (nee “High Rabbits”) emerged from the wild to curiously scrutinize men and women in costumes, many presumably acting on a subconscious impulse to seek out their progenitors.  Human reaction toured a gamut from enchanted to horrified.  Not every incident ended well.

Thankfully, the notion has since evolved to include the Mimsy as an integral facet of the holiday celebration.  It is now standard practice for local governments to hire upstanding Pook to assume the guise each year, dressing fancifully and entertaining participants as custom dictates.

Such actors testify that the role can be demanding.  Children are not so easily amazed by talking rabbits as they must once have been back when there were no such things.  But Pook are naturally charming, and a modicum of effort is still more than enough to delight the average young human.

For their part, rabbits view the occasion in varying ways.  Some find it tiresome, while others embrace the festivity.  Spring is always a time of celebration, and it’s arguably flattering to be an object of worship.  Others look down on the practice as a rather offensive pantomime, though even they usually admit that it’s far preferable for a real rabbit to do the job instead of a human in a costume.  Besides, Sam Sprinkles himself was an actor, and the show must go on.

Vorpal Pook sometimes offer to play the role as well, but as of this writing none have ever been officially hired.