Can you solve the tricky chess rebus puzzle below by ciphering the hidden meaning?

John said, "If yesterday was tomorrow, today would be Friday."

When did John make this statement?

As a whole I am both
safe and secure.

Behead me and I become
a place of meeting.

Behead me again and I am
the partner of ready.

Restore me, and I become
the domain of beasts.

What am I?

In case you were starting to feel confident, this one was meant for third graders in Vietnam. The answer is 66, but we don't blame you for scratching your head about how they got there.

You are provided with a grid (as shown in the picture). Can you fill the squares with numbers 1-8 in a manner that none of the two consecutive numbers are placed next to each other in any direction (vertically, horizontally or diagonally?)

John, a 5-year-old boy, was really fond of the chocolates. He asked his Mother to give him some money to buy his favourite chocolates. His Mother gave him $45. He went to the shopkeeper and asked, "How much is one chocolate for?". The shopkeeper said $3 for one chocolate. Also, if you give me the wrappers of three chocolates, I will give you one for the exchange.
In total, how much chocolate could John eat?

John was running from 40 thieves. John has got 3 gold boxes which weigh as 4kg, 2kg, and 1kg respectively. A witty man asked John to stay with him for seven days in exchange for 1kg gold per day. John needs to stay there for seven days and also do not want to give the witty man any advance. How can John pay for his seven days stay?

You have 10 balls with you. A friend of yours out of nowhere asks you to place those ten balls in five lines such that each of the lines has exactly 4 balls on them. He needs to check your intelligence. Prove him by doing the task.

One of the leprechaun is missing if you see the two pictures attached to this question. Where did he go? When he comes back, do you know where has he been?

I am a normal creature, but I have five hands. I can even have more but even then I will be considered normal.

Who am I?