711. The word Easter may come from a pagan Anglo-Saxon goddess named Eastre, who was mentioned several times in Old English writing before the year 900 B.C.E. Imagine that you went back to the year 900 A.D. How hard might it be to understand people speaking Old English? Would they be able to understand you? Why or why not?
712. Easter was connected with the Jewish holiday of Passover from early on in its celebration and even had a similar name of Pascha around the 2nd Century A.D. What are some similarities between Easter and Passover? Why might the holidays have been so connected in the past?
713. According to the Bible, Jesus Christ died and was resurrected three days later, which is the religious foundation of the Easter holiday. Create a conversation between a Christian and a non-Christian discussing the religious and non-religious aspects of Easter.
714. As Eastre was the Anglo-Saxon goddess of the Spring, it is thought that some of the Spring aspects of Easter like bunnies, eggs, and grass may be a carryover from old pagan traditions. How do you think the traditions of Easter might change in the next thousand years? Why?
715. The Easter Bunny originated from an Anglo-Saxon story in which Eastre changed her pet bird into a rabbit that could lay brightly colored eggs to entertain children. How do you think rabbits would be treated differently if they could all lay colorful eggs? Why?
716. The mythical bunny later became associated with Easter in writings in Germany in the 1500s, and by the 1800s, the Easter Bunny's likeness appeared in sugary pastry form. What are some different kinds of desserts you could picture in the form of an Easter Bunny? Would any of them be as good as a chocolate bunny? Why or why not?
717. While Easter was celebrated as a religious holiday for many years in the United States, the secular aspects like the Easter Bunny and candy baskets were not widely celebrated in the U.S. until after the Civil War. How do you think Easter would be different if it wasn't celebrated in the United States?
718. Wearing new and beautiful clothes for Easter started as a Spring tradition in ancient Iran, China, and Germanic countries. It was eventually made into an Easter decree around the year 325 C.E. by the Roman emperor Constantine. Imagine that you only wore new clothes once a year, on Easter. Why might that set of clothes be special to you?
719. During the earliest Easter celebrations, things like new clothes, candy, and parades would likely have been frowned upon. Why do you think these entertaining aspects of the modern holiday would not have been as accepted?
720. The largest candy Easter egg ever made was nearly 9,000 pounds of chocolate and marshmallow. Describe how you and a large amount of friends might go about trying to eat such a deliciously huge treat.
Use the above prompts or article as inspiration to write a story or other short piece.
