If you were in a youth group or attended a summer camp you probably know the routine. Several cocky youth and a few shy individuals would be brought up onto stage like modern day gladiators for the entertainment of the crowd. As the youth minister goes from youth to youth they hand out marshmallows. The contestants would then place them in their mouths and say the phrase “Chubby Bunny.” People like me would typically fail early on. I had a narrow pallet (later widened by orthodontia), no interest in winning, and a realization that what I was being asked to do was really quite stupid (you have to at least have 5 in your mouth to drop out and make it look like you were actually almost trying).
As each contestant increased the number of marshmallows more and more started to drop out of the competition, often ending with a slimy white disgorgement into a waiting garbage can. The first truly disgusting outburst usually lead to cheers from the crowd and a domino effect bringing down another contestant.
Now it is in the news: Chubby Bunny Kills 32 Year Old Woman
I am not surprised that this tragedy which occurred in London this week has happened again. This time it gets more attention due to the event and the age of the woman. There are some references to other deaths on the Wikipedia page for Chubby Bunny. I have been looking for references to a related game called “Royal Roman” which was played with grapes. That one always seemed worse since I could picture sucking a grape into my windpipe when preparing to say “Royal Roman.”
Apparently the worse danger with marshmallows is that they slowly melt into your throat and clog you up with a goop that is not easily removed. The vistim has a decreasing supply of air and each gasp makes it worse until there is not enough air in the lungs to get the deadly goop out.
I posted this in the security section because churches also need to be protected from the stupidity within.
Early in my first ministry, we played this game with mini-marshmallows. At 136 the girl spit them all out only to discover that many had accidently slid down her throat. Another church I know plays a much more exciting version calle fireball bunny. How many atomic fireballs can you fit in your mouth before you either choke, your mouth dissolves from the pain, or everyone else gives up? Good times.