WINNIE-THE-POOH

Winnie-the-Pooh

A.A.MILNE

DECORATIONSBYErnestH.ShepardDuttonChildren’sBooks

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ISBN:1-101-15893-X

ToHer

HandinhandwecomeChristopherRobinandITolaythisbookinyourlap.Sayyou’resurprised?Sayyoulikeit?Sayit’sjustwhatyouwanted?Becauseit’syours—Becauseweloveyou.

Introduction

IFYOUHAPPENtohavereadanotherbookaboutChristopherRobin,youmayrememberthatheoncehadaswan(ortheswanhadChristopherRobin,Idon’tknowwhich)andthatheusedtocallthisswanPooh.Thatwasalongtimeago,andwhenwesaidgoodbye,wetookthenamewithus,aswedidn’tthinktheswanwouldwantitanymore.Well,whenEdwardBearsaidthathewouldlikeanexcitingnamealltohimself,ChristopherRobinsaidatonce,withoutstoppingtothink,thathewasWinniethe-Pooh.Andhewas.So,asIhaveexplainedthePoohpart,Iwillnowexplaintherestofit.

Youcan’tbeinLondonforlongwithoutgoingtotheZoo.TherearesomepeoplewhobegintheZooatthebeginning,calledWAYIN,andwalkasquicklyastheycanpasteverycageuntiltheygettotheonecalledWAYOUT,butthenicestpeoplegostraighttotheanimaltheylovethemost,andstaythere.SowhenChristopherRobingoestotheZoo,hegoestowherethePolarBearsare,andhewhisperssomethingtothethirdkeeperfromtheleft,anddoorsareunlocked,andwewanderthroughdarkpassagesandupsteepstairs,untilatlastwecometothespecialcage,andthecageisopened,andouttrotssomethingbrownandfurry,andwithahappycryof“Oh,Bear!”ChristopherRobinrushesintoitsarms.Nowthisbear’snameisWinnie,whichshowswhatagoodnameforbearsitis,butthefunnythingisthatwecan’trememberwhetherWinnieiscalledafterPooh,orPoohafterWinnie.Wedidknowonce,butwehaveforgotten….

IhadwrittenasfarasthiswhenPigletlookedupandsaidinhissqueakyvoice,“WhataboutMe?”“MydearPiglet,”Isaid,“thewholebookisaboutyou.”“SoitisaboutPooh,”hesqueaked.Youseewhatitis.HeisjealousbecausehethinksPoohishavingaGrandIntroductionalltohimself.Poohisthefavourite,ofcourse,there’snodenyingit,butPigletcomesinforagoodmanythingswhichPoohmisses;becauseyoucan’ttakePoohtoschoolwithouteverybodyknowingit,butPigletissosmallthatheslipsintoapocket,whereitisverycomfortabletofeelhimwhenyouarenotquitesurewhethertwicesevenistwelveortwenty-two.Sometimesheslipsoutandhasagoodlookintheink-pot,andinthiswayhehasgotmoreeducationthanPooh,butPoohdoesn’tmind.Somehavebrains,andsomehaven’t,hesays,andthereitis.

Andnowalltheothersaresaying,“WhataboutUs?”SoperhapsthebestthingtodoistostopwritingIntroductionsandgetonwiththebook.

A.A.M

Contents

CHAPTERONEINWHICHWeAreIntroducedtoWinniethe-PoohandSomeBees,andtheStoriesBegin

CHAPTERTWOINWHICHPoohGoesVisitingandGetsintoaTightPlace

CHAPTERTHREEINWHICHPoohandPigletGoHuntingandNearlyCatchaWoozle

CHAPTERFOURINWHICHEeyoreLosesaTailandPoohFindsOne

CHAPTERFIVEINWHICHPigletMeetsaHeffalump

CHAPTERSIXINWHICHEeyoreHasaBirthdayandGetsTwoPresents

CHAPTERSEVENINWHICHKangaandBabyRooCometotheForest,andPigletHasaBath

CHAPTEREIGHTINWHICHChristopherRobinLeadsanExpotitiontotheNorthPole

CHAPTERNINEINWHICHPigletIsEntirelySurroundedbyWater

CHAPTERTENINWHICHChristopherRobinGivesPoohaParty,andWeSayGood-bye

WINNIE-THE-POOH

ChapterOne

INWHICH

WeAreIntroducedtoWinniethe-PoohandSomeBees,andtheStoriesBegin

HEREISEdwardBear,comingdownstairsnow,bump,bump,bump,onthebackofhishead,behindChristopherRobin.Itis,asfarasheknows,theonlywayofcomingdownstairs,butsometimeshefeelsthattherereallyisanotherway,ifonlyhecouldstopbumpingforamomentandthinkofit.Andthenhefeelsthatperhapsthereisn’t.Anyhow,hereheisatthebottom,andreadytobeintroducedtoyou.Winniethe-Pooh.

WhenIfirstheardhisname,Isaid,justasyouaregoingtosay,“ButIthoughthewasaboy?”

“SodidI,”saidChristopherRobin.“Thenyoucan’tcallhimWinnie?”“Idon’t.”“Butyousaid—”“He’sWinniether-Pooh.Don’tyouknowwhat‘ther’means?”“Ah,yes,nowIdo,”Isaidquickly;andIhopeyoudotoo,becauseitisall

theexplanationyouaregoingtoget.SometimesWinniethe-Poohlikesagameofsomesortwhenhecomes

downstairs,andsometimeshelikestositquietlyinfrontofthefireandlistentoastory.Thisevening—“Whataboutastory?”saidChristopherRobin.

“Whataboutastory?”Isaid.“CouldyouverysweetlytellWinniethe-Poohone?”“IsupposeIcould,”Isaid.“Whatsortofstoriesdoeshelike?”“Abouthimself.Becausehe’sthatsortofBear.”“Oh,Isee.”“Socouldyouverysweetly?”“I’lltry,”Isaid.SoItried.

Onceuponatime,averylongtimeagonow,aboutlastFriday,Winniethe-

PoohlivedinaforestallbyhimselfunderthenameofSanders.(“Whatdoes‘underthename’mean?”askedChristopherRobin.“Itmeanshehadthenameoverthedooringoldletters,andlivedunderit.”“Winniethe-Poohwasn’tquitesure,”saidChristopherRobin.“NowIam,”saidagrowlyvoice.

“ThenIwillgoon,”saidI.)Onedaywhenhewasoutwalking,hecametoanopenplaceinthemiddle

oftheforest,andinthemiddleofthisplacewasalargeoak-tree,and,fromthetopofthetree,therecamealoudbuzzing-noise.

Winniethe-Poohsatdownatthefootofthetree,puthisheadbetweenhispawsandbegantothink.

Firstofallhesaidtohimself:“Thatbuzzing-noisemeanssomething.Youdon’tgetabuzzing-noiselikethat,justbuzzingandbuzzing,withoutitsmeaningsomething.Ifthere’sabuzzing-noise,somebody’smakingabuzzing-noise,andtheonlyreasonformakingabuzzing-noisethatIknowofisbecauseyou’reabee.”

Thenhethoughtanotherlongtime,andsaid:“AndtheonlyreasonforbeingabeethatIknowofismakinghoney.”

Andthenhegotup,andsaid:“AndtheonlyreasonformakinghoneyissoasIcaneatit.”Sohebegantoclimbthetree.

Heclimbedandheclimbedandheclimbed,andasheclimbedhesangalittlesongtohimself.Itwentlikethis:

littlesongtohimself.Itwentlikethis:Isn’titfunnyHowabearlikeshoney?Buzz!Buzz!Buzz!Iwonderwhyhedoes?

Thenheclimbedalittlefurther…andalittlefurther…andthenjustalittlefurther.Bythattimehehadthoughtofanothersong.

It’saveryfunnythoughtthat,ifBearswereBees,They’dbuildtheirnestsatthebottomoftrees.

Andthatbeingso(iftheBeeswereBears),Weshouldn’thavetoclimbupallthesestairs.

Hewasgettingrathertiredbythistime,sothatiswhyhesangaComplainingSong.Hewasnearlytherenow,andifhejuststoodonthatbranch…

Crack!

“Oh,help!”saidPooh,ashedroppedtenfeetonthebranchbelowhim.“IfonlyIhadn’t—”hesaid,ashebouncedtwentyfeetontothenextbranch.“Yousee,whatImeanttodo,”heexplained,asheturnedhead-over-heels,

andcrashedontoanotherbranchthirtyfeetbelow,“whatImeanttodo—”“Ofcourse,itwasrather—”headmitted,asheslitheredveryquickly

throughthenextsixbranches.“Itallcomes,Isuppose,”hedecided,ashesaidgoodbyetothelastbranch,

spunroundthreetimes,andflewgracefullyintoagorse-bush,“itallcomesof

likinghoneysomuch.Oh,help!”

Hecrawledoutofthegorse-bush,brushedthepricklesfromhisnose,andbegantothinkagain.AndthefirstpersonhethoughtofwasChristopherRobin.

(“Wasthatme?”saidChristopherRobininanawedvoice,hardlydaringtobelieveit.

“Thatwasyou.”ChristopherRobinsaidnothing,buthiseyesgotlargerandlarger,andhis

facegotpinkerandpinker.)SoWinniethe-PoohwentroundtohisfriendChristopherRobin,wholivedbehindagreendoorinanotherpartoftheforest.

“Goodmorning,ChristopherRobin,”hesaid.“Goodmorning,Winnie-ther-Pooh,”saidyou.“Iwonderifyou’vegotsuchathingasaballoonaboutyou?”“Aballoon?”“Yes,Ijustsaidtomyselfcomingalong:‘IwonderifChristopherRobinhas

suchathingasaballoonabouthim?’Ijustsaidittomyself,thinkingofballoons,andwondering.”

“Whatdoyouwantaballoonfor?”yousaid.Winniethe-Poohlookedroundtoseethatnobodywaslistening,puthispaw

tohismouth,andsaidinadeepwhisper:“Honey!”“Butyoudon’tgethoneywithballoons!”“Ido,”saidPooh.

Well,itjusthappenedthatyouhadbeentoapartythedaybeforeatthehouseofyourfriendPiglet,andyouhadballoonsattheparty.Youhadhadabiggreenballoon;andoneofRabbit’srelationshadhadabigblueone,andhadleftitbehind,beingreallytooyoungtogotoapartyatall;andsoyouhadbroughtthegreenoneandtheblueonehomewithyou.

“Whichonewouldyoulike?”youaskedPooh.Heputhisheadbetweenhispawsandthoughtverycarefully.“It’slikethis,”hesaid.“Whenyougoafterhoneywithaballoon,thegreat

thingisnottoletthebeesknowyou’recoming.Now,ifyouhaveagreenballoon,theymightthinkyouwereonlypartofthetree,andnotnoticeyou,andifyouhaveablueballoon,theymightthinkyouwereonlypartofthesky,andnotnoticeyou,andthequestionis:Whichismostlikely?”

“Wouldn’ttheynoticeyouunderneaththeballoon?”youasked.“Theymightortheymightnot,”saidWinniethe-Pooh.“Younevercantell

withbees.”Hethoughtforamomentandsaid:“Ishalltrytolooklikeasmallblackcloud.Thatwilldeceivethem.”

“Thenyouhadbetterhavetheblueballoon,”yousaid;andsoitwasdecided.

Well,youbothwentoutwiththeblueballoon,andyoutookyourgunwithyou,justincase,asyoualwaysdid,andWinniethe-Poohwenttoaverymuddyplacethatheknewof,androlledandrolleduntilhewasblackallover;andthen,whentheballoonwasblownupasbigasbig,andyouandPoohwerebothholdingontothestring,youletgosuddenly,andPoohBearfloatedgracefully

holdingontothestring,youletgosuddenly,andPoohBearfloatedgracefullyupintothesky,andstayedthere—levelwiththetopofthetreeandabouttwentyfeetawayfromit.

“Hooray!”youshouted.“Isn’tthatfine?”shoutedWinniethe-Poohdowntoyou.“WhatdoIlook

like?”“YoulooklikeaBearholdingontoaballoon,”yousaid.“Not—”saidPoohanxiously,“—notlikeasmallblackcloudinabluesky?”“Notverymuch.”“Ah,well,perhapsfromuphereitlooksdifferent.And,asIsay,younever

cantellwithbees.”Therewasnowindtoblowhimnearertothetree,sotherehestayed.He

couldseethehoney,hecouldsmellthehoney,buthecouldn’tquitereachthehoney.

Afteralittlewhilehecalleddowntoyou.“ChristopherRobin!”hesaidinaloudwhisper.“Hallo!”“Ithinkthebeessuspectsomething!”“Whatsortofthing?”“Idon’tknow.Butsomethingtellsmethatthey’resuspicious!”“Perhapstheythinkthatyou’reaftertheirhoney.”“Itmaybethat.Younevercantellwithbees.”Therewasanotherlittlesilence,andthenhecalleddowntoyouagain.

“ChristopherRobin!”“Yes?”

“Yes?”“Haveyouanumbrellainyourhouse?”“Ithinkso.”“Iwishyouwouldbringitouthere,andwalkupanddownwithit,andlook

upatmeeverynowandthen,andsay‘Tut-tut,itlookslikerain.’Ithink,ifyoudidthat,itwouldhelpthedeceptionwhichwearepractisingonthesebees.”

Well,youlaughedtoyourself,“SillyoldBear!”butyoudidn’tsayitaloudbecauseyouweresofondofhim,andyouwenthomeforyourumbrella.

“Oh,thereyouare!”calleddownWinniethe-Pooh,assoonasyougotbacktothetree.“Iwasbeginningtogetanxious.IhavediscoveredthatthebeesarenowdefinitelySuspicious.”

“ShallIputmyumbrellaup?”yousaid.“Yes,butwaitamoment.Wemustbepractical.Theimportantbeeto

deceiveistheQueenBee.CanyouseewhichistheQueenBeefromdownthere?”

“No.”

“Apity.Well,now,ifyouwalkupanddownwithyourumbrella,saying,‘Tut-tut,itlookslikerain,’IshalldowhatIcanbysingingalittleCloudSong,suchasacloudmightsing…Go!”

So,whileyouwalkedupanddownandwonderedifitwouldrain,Winniethe-Poohsangthissong:HowsweettobeaCloud

FloatingintheBlue!Everylittlecloud.Alwayssingsaloud.

“HowsweettobeaCloudFloatingintheBlue!”

ItmakeshimveryproudTobealittlecloud.

Thebeeswerestillbuzzingassuspiciouslyasever.Someofthem,indeed,lefttheirnestandflewallroundthecloudasitbeganthesecondverseofthissong,andonebeesatdownonthenoseofthecloudforamoment,andthengotupagain.

“Christopher—ow!—Robin,”calledoutthecloud.“Yes?”“Ihavejustbeenthinking,andIhavecometoaveryimportantdecision.

Thesearethewrongsortofbees.”

“Arethey?”“Quitethewrongsort.SoIshouldthinktheywouldmakethewrongsortof

honey,shouldn’tyou?”“Wouldthey?”“Yes.SoIthinkIshallcomedown.”“How?”askedyou.Winniethe-Poohhadn’tthoughtaboutthis.Ifheletgoofthestring,he

wouldfall—bump—andhedidn’tliketheideaofthat.Sohethoughtforalongtime,andthenhesaid:“ChristopherRobin,youmustshoottheballoonwithyourgun.Haveyougotyourgun?”

“OfcourseIhave,”yousaid.“ButifIdothat,itwillspoiltheballoon,”yousaid.

“Butifyoudon’t,”saidPooh,“Ishallhavetoletgo,andthatwouldspoilme.”

Whenyouputitlikethis,yousawhowitwas,andyouaimedverycarefullyattheballoon,andfired.

“Ow!”saidPooh.“DidImiss?”youasked.“Youdidn’texactlymiss,”saidPooh,“butyoumissedtheballoon.”“I’msosorry,”yousaid,andyoufiredagain,andthistimeyouhitthe

balloon,andtheaircameslowlyout,andWinniethe-Poohfloateddowntotheground.

Buthisarmsweresostifffromholdingontothestringoftheballoonallthattimethattheystayedupstraightintheairformorethanaweek,andwheneveraflycameandsettledonhisnosehehadtoblowitoff.AndIthink—butIamnotsure—thatthatiswhyhewasalwayscalledPooh.

“Isthattheendofthestory?”askedChristopherRobin.“That’stheendofthatone.Thereareothers.”“AboutPoohandMe?”

“AboutPoohandMe?”“AndPigletandRabbitandallofyou.Don’tyouremember?”“Idoremember,andthenwhenItrytoremember,Iforget.”“ThatdaywhenPoohandPiglettriedtocatchtheHeffalump—”“Theydidn’tcatchit,didthey?”“No.”“Poohcouldn’t,becausehehasn’tanybrain.DidIcatchit?”“Well,thatcomesintothestory.”ChristopherRobinnodded.“Idoremember,”hesaid,“onlyPoohdoesn’tverywell,sothat’swhyhe

likeshavingittoldtohimagain.Becausethenit’sarealstoryandnotjustaremembering.”

“That’sjusthowIfeel,”Isaid.ChristopherRobingaveadeepsigh,pickedhisBearupbytheleg,and

walkedofftothedoor,trailingPoohbehindhim.Atthedoorheturnedandsaid,“Comingtoseemehavemybath?”

“Imight,”Isaid.

“Ididn’thurthimwhenIshothim,didI?”“Notabit.”Henoddedandwentout,andinamomentIheardWinniethe-Pooh—bump—

bump—bump—goingupthestairsbehindhim.

ChapterTwo

INWHICH

PoohGoesVisitingandGetsIntoaTightPlace

EDWARDBEAR,knowntohisfriendsasWinniethe-Pooh,orPoohforshort,waswalkingthroughtheforestoneday,hummingproudlytohimself.Hehadmadeupalittlehumthatverymorning,ashewasdoinghisStoutnessExercisesinfrontoftheglass:Tra-la-la,tra-la-la,ashestretchedupashighashecouldgo,andthenTra-la-la,tra-la-oh,help!—la,ashetriedtoreachhistoes.Afterbreakfasthehadsaiditoverandovertohimselfuntilhehadlearntitoffbyheart,andnowhewashummingitrightthrough,properly.Itwentlikethis:

Tra-la-la,tra-la-la,Tra-la-la,tra-la-la,Rum-tum-tiddle-um-tum.Tiddle-iddle,tiddle-iddle,Tiddle-iddle,tiddle-iddle,Rum-tum-tum-tiddle-um.

Well,hewashummingthishumtohimself,andwalkingalonggaily,wonderingwhateverybodyelsewasdoing,andwhatitfeltlike,beingsomebodyelse,whensuddenlyhecametoasandybank,andinthebankwasalargehole.

“Aha!”saidPooh.(Rum-tum-tiddle-um-tum.)“IfIknowanythingaboutanything,thatholemeansRabbit,”hesaid,“andRabbitmeansCompany,”hesaid,“andCompanymeansFoodandListening-to-Me-Hummingandsuchlike.Rum-tum-tum-tiddle-um.”

Sohebentdown,puthisheadintothehole,andcalledout:“Isanybodyathome?”

Therewasasuddenscufflingnoisefrominsidethehole,andthensilence.“WhatIsaidwas,‘Isanybodyathome?’”calledoutPoohveryloudly.“No!”saidavoice;andthenadded,“youneedn’tshoutsoloud.Iheardyou

quitewellthefirsttime.”“Bother!”saidPooh.“Isn’tthereanybodyhereatall?”“Nobody.”Winniethe-Poohtookhisheadoutofthehole,andthoughtforalittle,andhe

thoughttohimself,“Theremustbesomebodythere,becausesomebodymusthavesaid‘Nobody.’”Soheputhisheadbackinthehole,andsaid:“Hallo,Rabbit,isn’tthatyou?”

“No,”saidRabbit,inadifferentsortofvoicethistime.“Butisn’tthatRabbit’svoice?”“Idon’tthinkso,”saidRabbit.“Itisn’tmeanttobe.”“Oh!”saidPooh.Hetookhisheadoutofthehole,andhadanotherthink,andthenheputit

back,andsaid:“Well,couldyouverykindlytellmewhereRabbitis?”“HehasgonetoseehisfriendPoohBear,whoisagreatfriendofhis.”“ButthisisMe!”saidBear,verymuchsurprised.“WhatsortofMe?”“PoohBear.”“Areyousure?”saidRabbit,stillmoresurprised.“Quite,quitesure,”saidPooh.“Oh,well,then,comein.”

SoPoohpushedandpushedandpushedhiswaythroughthehole,andatlasthegotin.

“Youwerequiteright,”saidRabbit,lookingathimallover.“Itisyou.Gladtoseeyou.”

“Whodidyouthinkitwas?”“Well,Iwasn’tsure.YouknowhowitisintheForest.Onecan’thave

anybodycomingintoone’shouse.Onehastobecareful.Whataboutamouthfulofsomething?”

Poohalwayslikedalittlesomethingateleveno’clockinthemorning,andhewasverygladtoseeRabbitgettingouttheplatesandmugs;andwhenRabbitsaid,“Honeyorcondensedmilkwithyourbread?”hewassoexcitedthathesaid,“Both,”andthen,soasnottoseemgreedy,headded,“butdon’tbotheraboutthebread,please.”Andforalongtimeafterthathesaidnothing…untilatlast,hummingtohimselfinaratherstickyvoice,hegotup,shookRabbitlovinglybythepaw,andsaidthathemustbegoingon.

lovinglybythepaw,andsaidthathemustbegoingon.“Mustyou?”saidRabbitpolitely.“Well,”saidPooh,“Icouldstayalittlelongerifit—ifyou—”andhetried

veryhardtolookinthedirectionofthelarder.“Asamatteroffact,”saidRabbit,“Iwasgoingoutmyselfdirectly.”“Oh,well,then,I’llbegoingon.Good-bye.”“Well,good-bye,ifyou’resureyouwon’thaveanymore.”“Isthereanymore?”askedPoohquickly.Rabbittookthecoversoffthedishes,andsaidno,therewasn’t.“Ithoughtnot,”saidPooh,noddingtohimself.“Well,good-bye.Imustbe

goingon.”Sohestartedtoclimboutofthehole.Hepulledwithhisfrontpaws,and

pushedwithhisbackpaws,andinalittlewhilehisnosewasoutintheopenagain…andthenhisears…andthenhisfrontpaws…andthenhisshoulders…

andthen—“Oh,help!”saidPooh.“I’dbettergoback.”“Oh,bother!”saidPooh.“Ishallhavetogoon.”“Ican’tdoeither!”saidPooh.“Oh,helpandbother!”NowbythistimeRabbitwantedtogoforawalktoo,andfindingthefront

doorfull,hewentoutbythebackdoor,andcameroundtoPooh,andlookedathim.

“Hallo,areyoustuck?”heasked.

“N-no,”saidPoohcarelessly.“Justrestingandthinkingandhummingtomyself.”

“Here,giveusapaw.”PoohBearstretchedoutapaw,andRabbitpulledandpulledandpulled…“Ow!”criedPooh.“You’rehurting!”“Thefactis,”saidRabbit,“you’restuck.”“Itallcomes,”saidPoohcrossly,“ofnothavingfrontdoorsbigenough.”“Itallcomes,”saidRabbitsternly,“ofeatingtoomuch.Ithoughtatthe

time,”saidRabbit,“onlyIdidn’tliketosayanything,”saidRabbit,“thatoneofuswaseatingtoomuch,”saidRabbit,“andIknewitwasn’tme,”hesaid.“Well,well,IshallgoandfetchChristopherRobin.”

ChristopherRobinlivedattheotherendoftheForest,andwhenhecamebackwithRabbit,andsawthefronthalfofPooh,hesaid,“SillyoldBear,”insuchalovingvoicethateverybodyfeltquitehopefulagain.

“Iwasjustbeginningtothink,”saidBear,sniffingslightly,“thatRabbitmightneverbeabletousehisfrontdooragain.AndIshouldhatethat,”hesaid.

“SoshouldI,”saidRabbit.“Usehisfrontdooragain?”saidChristopherRobin.“Ofcoursehe’llusehis

frontdooragain.”“Good,”saidRabbit.“Ifwecan’tpullyouout,Pooh,wemightpushyouback.”Rabbitscratchedhiswhiskersthoughtfully,andpointedoutthat,whenonce

Poohwaspushedback,hewasback,andofcoursenobodywasmoregladtoseePoohthanhewas,stillthereitwas,somelivedintreesandsomelivedunderground,and—“YoumeanI’dnevergetout?”saidPooh.

“Imean,”saidRabbit,“thathavinggotsofar,itseemsapitytowasteit.”ChristopherRobinnodded.“Thenthere’sonlyonethingtobedone,”hesaid.“Weshallhavetowaitfor

youtogetthinagain.”“Howlongdoesgettingthintake?”askedPoohanxiously.“Aboutaweek,Ishouldthink.”“ButIcan’tstayhereforaweek!”“Youcanstayhereallright,sillyoldBear.It’sgettingyououtwhichisso

difficult.”“We’llreadtoyou,”saidRabbitcheerfully.“AndIhopeitwon’tsnow,”he

added.“AndIsay,oldfellow,you’retakingupagooddealofroominmyhouse—doyoumindifIuseyourbacklegsasatowel-horse?Because,Imean,theretheyare—doingnothing—anditwouldbeveryconvenientjusttohangthetowelsonthem.”

“Aweek!”saidPoohgloomily.“Whataboutmeals?”“I’mafraidnomeals,”saidChristopherRobin,“becauseofgettingthin

quicker.Butwewillreadtoyou.”Bearbegantosigh,andthenfoundhecouldn’tbecausehewassotightly

stuck;andatearrolleddownhiseye,ashesaid:“ThenwouldyoureadaSustainingBook,suchaswouldhelpandcomfortaWedgedBearinGreatTightness?”

SoforaweekChristopherRobinreadthatsortofbookattheNorthendof

Pooh,andRabbithunghiswashingontheSouthend…

andinbetweenBearfelthimselfgettingslendererandslenderer.AndattheendoftheweekChristopherRobinsaid,“Now!”

SohetookholdofPooh’sfrontpawsandRabbittookholdofChristopherRobin,andallRabbit’sfriendsandrelationstookholdofRabbit,andtheyallpulledtogether….

AndforalongtimePoohonlysaid“Ow!”…And“Oh!”…Andthen,allofasudden,hesaid“Pop!”justasifacorkwerecomingoutof

abottle.AndChristopherRobinandRabbitandallRabbit’sfriendsandrelations

wenthead-over-heelsbackwards…andonthetopofthemcameWinniethe-Pooh—free!

So,withanodofthankstohisfriends,hewentonwithhiswalkthroughtheforest,hummingproudlytohimself.But,ChristopherRobinlookedafterhimlovingly,andsaidtohimself,“SillyoldBear!”

ChapterThree

INWHICH

PoohandPigletGoHuntingandNearlyCatchaWoozle

THEPIGLETlivedinaverygrandhouseinthemiddleofabeech-tree,andthebeech-treewasinthemiddleoftheforest,andthePigletlivedinthemiddleofthehouse.Nexttohishousewasapieceofbrokenboardwhichhad:“TRESPASSERSW”onit.WhenChristopherRobinaskedthePigletwhatitmeant,hesaiditwashisgrandfather’sname,andhadbeeninthefamilyforalongtime.ChristopherRobinsaidyoucouldn’tbecalledTrespassersW,andPigletsaidyes,youcould,becausehisgrandfatherwas,anditwasshortforTrespassersWill,whichwasshortforTrespassersWilliam.Andhisgrandfatherhadhadtwonamesincasehelostone—Trespassersafteranuncle,andWilliamafterTrespassers.

“I’vegottwonames,”saidChristopherRobincarelessly.

“Well,thereyouare,thatprovesit,”saidPiglet.Onefinewinter’sdaywhenPigletwasbrushingawaythesnowinfrontof

hishouse,hehappenedtolookup,andtherewasWinniethe-Pooh.Poohwaswalkingroundandroundinacircle,thinkingofsomethingelse,andwhenPigletcalledtohim,hejustwentonwalking.

“Hallo!”saidPiglet,“whatareyoudoing?”“Hunting,”saidPooh.“Huntingwhat?”“Trackingsomething,”saidWinniethe-Poohverymysteriously.“Trackingwhat?”saidPiglet,comingcloser.“That’sjustwhatIaskmyself.Iaskmyself,What?”“Whatdoyouthinkyou’llanswer?”“IshallhavetowaituntilIcatchupwithit,”saidWinniethe-Pooh.“Now,

lookthere.”Hepointedtothegroundinfrontofhim.“Whatdoyouseethere?”

“Tracks,”saidPiglet.“Paw-marks.”Hegavealittlesqueakofexcitement.

“Tracks,”saidPiglet.“Paw-marks.”Hegavealittlesqueakofexcitement.“Oh,Pooh!Doyouthinkit’sa—a—aWoozle?”

“Itmaybe,”saidPooh.“Sometimesitis,andsometimesitisn’t.Younevercantellwithpaw-marks.”

Withthesefewwordshewentontracking,andPiglet,afterwatchinghimforaminuteortwo,ranafterhim.Winniethe-Poohhadcometoasuddenstop,andwasbendingoverthetracksinapuzzledsortofway.

“What’sthematter?”askedPiglet.“It’saveryfunnything,”saidBear,“butthereseemtobetwoanimalsnow.

This—whatever-it-was—hasbeenjoinedbyanother—whatever-it-is—andthetwoofthemarenowproceedingincompany.Wouldyoumindcomingwithme,Piglet,incasetheyturnouttobeHostileAnimals?”

Pigletscratchedhisearinanicesortofway,andsaidthathehadnothingtodountilFriday,andwouldbedelightedtocome,incaseitreallywasaWoozle.

“Youmean,incaseitreallyistwoWoozles,”saidWinniethe-Pooh,andPigletsaidthatanyhowhehadnothingtodountilFriday.Soofftheywenttogether.

Therewasasmallspinneyoflarchtreesjusthere,anditseemedasifthetwoWoozles,ifthatiswhattheywere,hadbeengoingroundthisspinney;soroundthisspinneywentPoohandPigletafterthem,Pigletpassingthetimeby

roundthisspinneywentPoohandPigletafterthem,PigletpassingthetimebytellingPoohwhathisGrandfatherTrespassersWhaddonetoRemoveStiffnessafterTracking,andhowhisGrandfatherTrespassersWhadsufferedinhislateryearsfromShortnessofBreath,andothermattersofinterest,andPoohwonderingwhataGrandfatherwaslike,andifperhapsthiswasTwoGrandfatherstheywereafternow,and,ifso,whetherhewouldbeallowedtotakeonehomeandkeepit,andwhatChristopherRobinwouldsay.Andstillthetrackswentoninfrontofthem….

SuddenlyWinniethe-Poohstoppedandpointedexcitedlyinfrontofhim.“Look!”

“What?”saidPiglet,withajump.Andthen,toshowthathehadn’tbeenfrightened,hejumpedupanddownonceortwiceinanexercisingsortofway.

“Thetracks!”saidPooh.“Athirdanimalhasjoinedtheothertwo!”“Pooh!”criedPiglet.“DoyouthinkitisanotherWoozle?”“No,”saidPooh,“becauseitmakesdifferentmarks.ItiseitherTwo

Woozlesandone,asitmightbe,Wizzle,orTwo,asitmightbe,Wizzlesandone,ifsoitis,Woozle.Letuscontinuetofollowthem.”

Sotheywenton,feelingjustalittleanxiousnow,incasethethreeanimalsinfrontofthemwereofHostileIntent.AndPigletwishedverymuchthathisGrandfatherT.W.werethere,insteadofelsewhere,andPoohthoughthowniceitwouldbeiftheymetChristopherRobinsuddenlybutquiteaccidentally,andonlybecausehelikedChristopherRobinsomuch.Andthen,allofasudden,Winniethe-Poohstoppedagain,andlickedthetipofhisnoseinacoolingmanner,forhewasfeelingmorehotandanxiousthaneverinhislifebefore.Therewerefouranimalsinfrontofthem!

“Doyousee,Piglet?Lookattheirtracks!Three,asitwere,Woozles,andone,asitwas,Wizzle.AnotherWoozlehasjoinedthem!”

Andsoitseemedtobe.Therewerethetracks;crossingovereachotherhere,gettingmuddledupwitheachotherthere;but,quiteplainlyeverynowandthen,thetracksoffoursetsofpaws.

“Ithink,”saidPiglet,whenhehadlickedthetipofhisnosetoo,andfoundthatitbroughtverylittlecomfort,“IthinkthatIhavejustrememberedsomething.IhavejustrememberedsomethingthatIforgottodoyesterdayandshan’tbeabletodotomorrow.SoIsupposeIreallyoughttogobackanddoitnow.”

“We’lldoitthisafternoon,andI’llcomewithyou,”saidPooh.“Itisn’tthesortofthingyoucandointheafternoon,”saidPigletquickly.

“It’saveryparticularmorningthing,thathastobedoneinthemorning,and,ifpossible,betweenthehoursof—Whatwouldyousaythetimewas?”

“Abouttwelve,”saidWinniethe-Pooh,lookingatthesun.“Between,asIwassaying,thehoursoftwelveandtwelvefive.So,really,

dearoldPooh,ifyou’llexcuseme—What’sthat?”Poohlookedupatthesky,andthen,asheheardthewhistleagain,helooked

upintothebranchesofabigoak-tree,andthenhesawafriendofhis.

“It’sChristopherRobin,”hesaid.“Ah,thenyou’llbeallright,”saidPiglet.“You’llbequitesafewithhim.

Good-bye,”andhetrottedoffhomeasquicklyashecould,verygladtobeOutofAllDangeragain.

ChristopherRobincameslowlydownhistree.“SillyoldBear,”hesaid,“whatwereyoudoing?Firstyouwentroundthe

spinneytwicebyyourself,andthenPigletranafteryouandyouwentroundagaintogether,andthenyouwerejustgoingroundafourthtime—”

“Waitamoment,”saidWinniethe-Pooh,holdinguphispaw.Hesatdownandthought,inthemostthoughtfulwayhecouldthink.Then

hefittedhispawintooneoftheTracks…andthenhescratchedhisnosetwice,andstoodup.

“Yes,”saidWinniethe-Pooh.“Iseenow,”saidWinniethe-Pooh.“IhavebeenFoolishandDeluded,”saidhe,“andIamaBearofNoBrainat

All.”“You’retheBestBearinAlltheWorld,”saidChristopherRobinsoothingly.“AmI?”saidPoohhopefully.Andthenhebrightenedupsuddenly.“Anyhow,”hesaid,“itisnearlyLuncheonTime.”Sohewenthomeforit.

ChapterFour

INWHICH

EeyoreLosesaTailandPoohFindsOne

THEOLDGREYDONKEY,Eeyore,stoodbyhimselfinathistlycorneroftheforest,hisfrontfeetwellapart,hisheadononeside,andthoughtaboutthings.Sometimeshethoughtsadlytohimself,“Why?”andsometimeshethought,“Wherefore?”andsometimeshethought,“Inasmuchaswhich?”—andsometimeshedidn’tquiteknowwhathewasthinkingabout.SowhenWinniethe-Poohcamestumpingalong,Eeyorewasverygladtobeabletostopthinkingforalittle,inordertosay“Howdoyoudo?”inagloomymannertohim.

“Andhowareyou?”saidWinniethe-Pooh.Eeyoreshookhisheadfromsidetoside.“Notveryhow,”hesaid.“Idon’tseemtohavefeltatallhowforalong

time.”“Dear,dear,”saidPooh,“I’msorryaboutthat.Let’shavealookatyou.”

SoEeyorestoodthere,gazingsadlyattheground,andWinniethe-Poohwalkedallroundhimonce.

“Why,what’shappenedtoyourtail?”hesaidinsurprise.“Whathashappenedtoit?”saidEeyore.“Itisn’tthere!”“Areyousure?”

“Well,eitheratailisthereoritisn’tthere.Youcan’tmakeamistakeaboutit.Andyoursisn’tthere!”

“Thenwhatis?”“Nothing.”“Let’shavealook,”saidEeyore,andheturnedslowlyroundtotheplace

wherehistailhadbeenalittlewhileago,andthen,findingthathecouldn’tcatchitup,heturnedroundtheotherway,untilhecamebacktowherehewasatfirst,andthenheputhisheaddownandlookedbetweenhisfrontlegs,andatlasthesaid,withalong,sadsigh,“Ibelieveyou’reright.”

said,withalong,sadsigh,“Ibelieveyou’reright.”“OfcourseI’mright,”saidPooh.“ThatAccountsforaGoodDeal,”saidEeyoregloomily.“ItExplains

Everything.NoWonder.”“Youmusthaveleftitsomewhere,”saidWinniethe-Pooh.“Somebodymusthavetakenit,”saidEeyore.“HowLikeThem,”headded,

afteralongsilence.Poohfeltthatheoughttosaysomethinghelpfulaboutit,butdidn’tquite

knowwhat.Sohedecidedtodosomethinghelpfulinstead.“Eeyore,”hesaidsolemnly,“I,Winniethe-Pooh,willfindyourtailforyou.”

“Thankyou,Pooh,”answeredEeyore.“You’rearealfriend,”saidhe.“NotlikeSome,”hesaid.

SoWinniethe-PoohwentofftofindEeyore’stail.Itwasafinespringmorningintheforestashestartedout.Littlesoftclouds

playedhappilyinabluesky,skippingfromtimetotimeinfrontofthesunasiftheyhadcometoputitout,andthenslidingawaysuddenlysothatthenextmighthavehisturn.Throughthemandbetweenthemthesunshonebravely;andacopsewhichhadwornitsfirsalltheyearroundseemedoldanddowdynowbesidethenewgreenlacewhichthebeecheshadputonsoprettily.ThroughcopseandspinneymarchedBear;downopenslopesofgorseandheather,overrockybedsofstreams,upsteepbanksofsandstoneintotheheatheragain;andsoatlast,tiredandhungry,totheHundredAcreWood.ForitwasintheHundredAcreWoodthatOwllived.

“Andifanyoneknowsanythingaboutanything,”saidBeartohimself,“it’sOwlwhoknowssomethingaboutsomething,”hesaid,“ormyname’snotWinniethe-Pooh,”hesaid.“Whichitis,”headded.“Sothereyouare.”

OwllivedatTheChestnuts,anold-worldresidenceofgreatcharm,whichwasgranderthananybodyelse’s,orseemedsotoBear,becauseithadbothaknockerandabell-pull.Underneaththeknockertherewasanoticewhichsaid:

PLESRINGIFANRNSERISREQIRD.

Underneaththebell-pulltherewasanoticewhichsaid:PLEZCNOKEIFANRNSRISNOTREQID.

ThesenoticeshadbeenwrittenbyChristopherRobin,whowastheonlyone

intheforestwhocouldspell;forOwl,wisethoughhewasinmanyways,abletoreadandwriteandspellhisownnameWOL,yetsomehowwentalltopiecesoverdelicatewordslikeMEASLESandBUTTEREDTOAST.

Winniethe-Poohreadthetwonoticesverycarefully,firstfromlefttoright,andafterwards,incasehehadmissedsomeofit,fromrighttoleft.Then,tomakequitesure,heknockedandpulledtheknocker,andhepulledandknockedthebell-rope,andhecalledoutinaveryloudvoice,“Owl!Irequireananswer!It’sBearspeaking.”Andthedooropened,andOwllookedout.

“Hallo,Pooh,”hesaid.“How’sthings?”“TerribleandSad,”saidPooh,“becauseEeyore,whoisafriendofmine,has

losthistail.Andhe’sMopingaboutit.Socouldyouverykindlytellmehowtofinditforhim?”

“Well,”saidOwl,“thecustomaryprocedureinsuchcasesisasfollows.”“WhatdoesCrustimoneyProseedcakemean?”saidPooh.“ForIamaBear

“WhatdoesCrustimoneyProseedcakemean?”saidPooh.“ForIamaBearofVeryLittleBrain,andlongwordsBotherme.”

“ItmeanstheThingtoDo.”“Aslongasitmeansthat,Idon’tmind,”saidPoohhumbly.“Thethingtodoisasfollows.First,IssueaReward.Then——”“Justamoment,”saidPooh,holdinguphispaw.“Whatdowedotothis—

whatyouweresaying?Yousneezedjustasyouweregoingtotellme.”“Ididn’tsneeze.”“Yes,youdid,Owl.”“Excuseme,Pooh,Ididn’t.Youcan’tsneezewithoutknowingit.”“Well,youcan’tknowitwithoutsomethinghavingbeensneezed.”“WhatIsaidwas,‘FirstIssueaReward.’”“You’redoingitagain,”saidPoohsadly.“AReward!”saidOwlveryloudly.“Wewriteanoticetosaythatwewill

givealargesomethingtoanybodywhofindsEeyore’stail.”“Isee,Isee,”saidPooh,noddinghishead.“Talkingaboutlarge

somethings,”hewentondreamily,“Igenerallyhaveasmallsomethingaboutnow—aboutthistimeinthemorning,”andhelookedwistfullyatthecupboardinthecornerofOwl’sparlour;“justamouthfulofcondensedmilkorwhatnot,withperhapsalickofhoney—”

“Well,then,”saidOwl,“wewriteoutthisnotice,andweputitupallovertheforest.”

“Alickofhoney,”murmuredBeartohimself,“or—ornot,asthecasemaybe.”Andhegaveadeepsigh,andtriedveryhardtolistentowhatOwlwassaying.

ButOwlwentonandon,usinglongerandlongerwords,untilatlasthecamebacktowherehestarted,andheexplainedthatthepersontowriteoutthisnoticewasChristopherRobin.

“Itwashewhowrotetheonesonmyfrontdoorforme.Didyouseethem,Pooh?”

ForsometimenowPoohhadbeensaying“Yes”and“No”inturn,withhiseyesshut,toallthatOwlwassaying,andhavingsaid,“Yes,yes,”lasttime,hesaid“No,notatall,”now,withoutreallyknowingwhatOwlwastalkingabout.

“Didn’tyouseethem?”saidOwl,alittlesurprised.“Comeandlookatthemnow.”

Sotheywentoutside.AndPoohlookedattheknockerandthenoticebelowit,andhelookedatthebell-ropeandthenoticebelowit,andthemorehelookedatthebell-rope,themorehefeltthathehadseensomethinglikeit,somewhereelse,sometimebefore.

“Handsomebell-rope,isn’tit?”saidOwl.

Poohnodded.“Itremindsmeofsomething,”hesaid,“butIcan’tthinkwhat.Wheredid

yougetit?”“IjustcameacrossitintheForest.Itwashangingoverabush,andIthought

atfirstsomebodylivedthere,soIrangit,andnothinghappened,andthenIrangitagainveryloudly,anditcameoffinmyhand,andasnobodyseemedtowantit,Itookithome,and—”

“Owl,”saidPoohsolemnly,“youmadeamistake.Somebodydidwantit.”“Who?”“Eeyore.MydearfriendEeyore.Hewas—hewasfondofit.”“Fondofit?”“Attachedtoit,”saidWinniethe-Poohsadly.

Sowiththesewordsheunhookedit,andcarrieditbacktoEeyore;andwhenChristopherRobinhadnaileditoninitsrightplaceagain,Eeyorefriskedabouttheforest,wavinghistailsohappilythatWinniethe-Poohcameoverallfunny,andhadtohurryhomeforalittlesnackofsomethingtosustainhim.And,wipinghismouthhalfanhourafterwards,hesangtohimselfproudly:

WhofoundtheTail?“I,”saidPooh,

“Ataquartertotwo(Onlyitwasquartertoelevenreally),

IfoundtheTail!”

ChapterFive

INWHICH

PigletMeetsaHeffalump

ONEDAY,whenChristopherRobinandWinniethe-PoohandPigletwerealltalkingtogether,ChristopherRobinfinishedthemouthfulhewaseatingandsaidcarelessly:“IsawaHeffalumpto-day,Piglet.”

“Whatwasitdoing?”askedPiglet.“Justlumpingalong,”saidChristopherRobin.“Idon’tthinkitsawme.”“Isawoneonce,”saidPiglet.“Atleast,IthinkIdid,”hesaid.“Onlyperhaps

itwasn’t.”“SodidI,”saidPooh,wonderingwhataHeffalumpwaslike.“Youdon’toftenseethem,”saidChristopherRobincarelessly.“Notnow,”saidPiglet.“Notatthistimeofyear,”saidPooh.

Thentheyalltalkedaboutsomethingelse,untilitwastimeforPoohand

Thentheyalltalkedaboutsomethingelse,untilitwastimeforPoohandPiglettogohometogether.AtfirstastheystumpedalongthepathwhichedgedtheHundredAcreWood,theydidn’tsaymuchtoeachother;butwhentheycametothestreamandhadhelpedeachotheracrossthesteppingstones,andwereabletowalksidebysideagainovertheheather,theybegantotalkinafriendlywayaboutthisandthat,andPigletsaid,“IfyouseewhatImean,Pooh,”andPoohsaid,“It’sjustwhatIthinkmyself,Piglet,”andPigletsaid,“But,ontheotherhand,Pooh,wemustremember,”andPoohsaid,“Quitetrue,Piglet,althoughIhadforgottenitforthemoment.”Andthen,justastheycametotheSixPineTrees,Poohlookedroundtoseethatnobodyelsewaslistening,andsaidinaverysolemnvoice:“Piglet,Ihavedecidedsomething.”

“Whathaveyoudecided,Pooh?”“IhavedecidedtocatchaHeffalump.”Poohnoddedhisheadseveraltimesashesaidthis,andwaitedforPigletto

say“How?”or“Pooh,youcouldn’t!”orsomethinghelpfulofthatsort,butPigletsaidnothing.ThefactwasPigletwaswishingthathehadthoughtaboutitfirst.

“Ishalldoit,”saidPooh,afterwaitingalittlelonger,“bymeansofatrap.AnditmustbeaCunningTrap,soyouwillhavetohelpme,Piglet.”

“Pooh,”saidPiglet,feelingquitehappyagainnow,“Iwill.”Andthenhesaid,“Howshallwedoit?”andPoohsaid,“That’sjustit.How?”Andthentheysatdowntogethertothinkitout.

Pooh’sfirstideawasthattheyshoulddigaVeryDeepPit,andthentheHeffalumpwouldcomealongandfallintothePit,and—“Why?”saidPiglet.

“Whywhat?”saidPooh.“Whywouldhefallin?”Poohrubbedhisnosewithhispaw,andsaidthattheHeffalumpmightbe

walkingalong,hummingalittlesong,andlookingupatthesky,wonderingifitwouldrain,andsohewouldn’tseetheVeryDeepPituntilhewashalfwaydown,whenitwouldbetoolate.

PigletsaidthatthiswasaverygoodTrap,butsupposingitwererainingalready?

Poohrubbedhisnoseagain,andsaidthathehadn’tthoughtofthat.Andthenhebrightenedup,andsaidthat,ifitwererainingalready,theHeffalumpwouldbelookingattheskywonderingifitwouldclearup,andsohewouldn’tseetheVeryDeepPituntilhewashalfwaydown….Whenitwouldbetoolate.

Pigletsaidthat,nowthatthispointhadbeenexplained,hethoughtitwasaCunningTrap.

Poohwasveryproudwhenheheardthis,andhefeltthattheHeffalumpwas

asgoodascaughtalready,buttherewasjustoneotherthingwhichhadtobethoughtabout,anditwasthis.WhereshouldtheydigtheVeryDeepPit?

PigletsaidthatthebestplacewouldbesomewherewhereaHeffalumpwas,justbeforehefellintoit,onlyaboutafootfartheron.

“Butthenhewouldseeusdiggingit,”saidPooh.“Notifhewaslookingatthesky.”“HewouldSuspect,”saidPooh,“ifhehappenedtolookdown.”Hethought

foralongtimeandthenaddedsadly,“Itisn’taseasyasIthought.Isupposethat’swhyHeffalumpshardlyevergetcaught.”

“Thatmustbeit,”saidPiglet.Theysighedandgotup;andwhentheyhadtakenafewgorsepricklesoutof

themselvestheysatdownagain;andallthetimePoohwassayingtohimself,“IfonlyIcouldthinkofsomething!”ForhefeltsurethataVeryCleverBraincouldcatchaHeffalumpifonlyheknewtherightwaytogoaboutit.

“Suppose,”hesaidtoPiglet,“youwantedtocatchme,”howwouldyoudoit?”

“Well,”saidPiglet,“Ishoulddoitlikethis.IshouldmakeaTrap,andIshouldputaJarofHoneyintheTrap,andyouwouldsmellit,andyouwouldgoinafterit,and—”

“AndIwouldgoinafterit,”saidPoohexcitedly,“onlyverycarefullysoasnottohurtmyself,andIwouldgettotheJarofHoney,andIshouldlickroundtheedgesfirstofall,pretendingthattherewasn’tanymore,youknow,andthenIshouldwalkawayandthinkaboutitalittle,andthenIshouldcomebackandstartlickinginthemiddleofthejar,andthen—”

“Yes,wellnevermindaboutthat.Thereyouwouldbe,andthereIshouldcatchyou.Nowthefirstthingtothinkofis,WhatdoHeffalumpslike?Ishouldthinkacorns,shouldn’tyou?We’llgetalotof—Isay,wakeup,Pooh!”

Pooh,whohadgoneintoahappydream,wokeupwithastart,andsaidthatHoneywasamuchmoretrappythingthanHaycorns.Pigletdidn’tthinkso;andtheywerejustgoingtoargueaboutit,whenPigletrememberedthat,iftheyputacornsintheTrap,hewouldhavetofindtheacorns,butiftheyputhoney,thenPoohwouldhavetogiveupsomeofhisownhoney,sohesaid,“Allright,honeythen,”justasPoohrememberedittoo,andwasgoingtosay,“Allright,haycorns.”

“Honey,”saidPiglettohimselfinathoughtfulway,asifitwerenowsettled.“I’lldigthepit,whileyougoandgetthehoney.”

“Verywell,”saidPooh,andhestumpedoff.

Assoonashegothome,hewenttothelarder;andhestoodonachair,andtookdownaverylargejarofhoneyfromthetopshelf.IthadHUNNYwrittenonit,but,justtomakesure,hetookoffthepapercoverandlookedatit,anditlookedjustlikehoney.“Butyounevercantell,”saidPooh.“Iremembermyunclesayingoncethathehadseencheesejustthiscolour.”Soheputhistonguein,andtookalargelick.“Yes,”hesaid,“itis.Nodoubtaboutthat.Andhoney,Ishouldsay,rightdowntothebottomofthejar.Unless,ofcourse,”hesaid,“somebodyputcheeseinatthebottomjustforajoke.PerhapsIhadbettergoalittlefurther…justincase…incaseHeffalumpsdon’tlikecheese…sameasme.Ah!”Andhegaveadeepsigh.“Iwasright.Itishoney,rightthewaydown.”

Havingmadecertainofthis,hetookthejarbacktoPiglet,andPigletlookedupfromthebottomofhisVeryDeepPit,andsaid“Gotit?”andPoohsaid,“Yes,butitisn’tquiteafulljar,”andhethrewitdowntoPiglet,andPigletsaid,“No,itisn’t!Isthatallyou’vegotleft?”andPoohsaid“Yes.”Becauseitwas.SoPigletputthejaratthebottomofthePit,andclimbedout,andtheywentoffhometogether.

“Well,goodnight,Pooh,”saidPiglet,whentheyhadgottoPooh’shouse.

“Well,goodnight,Pooh,”saidPiglet,whentheyhadgottoPooh’shouse.“Andwemeetatsixo’clocktomorrowmorningbythePineTrees,andseehowmanyHeffalumpswe’vegotinourTrap.”

“Sixo’clock,Piglet.Andhaveyougotanystring?”“No.Whydoyouwantstring?”“Toleadthemhomewith.”“Oh!…IthinkHeffalumpscomeifyouwhistle.”“Somedoandsomedon’t.YounevercantellwithHeffalumps.Well,good

night!”“Goodnight!”AndoffPiglettrottedtohishouse,TRESPASSERSW,whilePoohmadehis

preparationsforbed.Somehourslater,justasthenightwasbeginningtostealaway,Poohwoke

upsuddenlywithasinkingfeeling.Hehadhadthatsinkingfeelingbefore,andheknewwhatitmeant.Hewashungry.Sohewenttothelarder,andhestoodonachairandreacheduptothetopshelf,andfound—nothing.

“That’sfunny,”hethought.“IknowIhadajarofhoneythere.Afulljar,fullofhoneyrightuptothetop,andithadHUNNYwrittenonit,sothatIshouldknowitwashoney.That’sveryfunny.”Andthenhebegantowanderupanddown,wonderingwhereitwasandmurmuringamurmurtohimself.Likethis:It’svery,veryfunny,’CosIknowIhadsomehoney;’Cosithadalabelon,

SayingHUNNY.

Agoloptiousfull-uppottoo,AndIdon’tknowwhereit’sgotto,No,Idon’tknowwhereit’sgone—

Well,it’sfunny.

Hehadmurmuredthistohimselfthreetimesinasingingsortofway,whensuddenlyheremembered.HehadputitintotheCunningTraptocatchtheHeffalump.

“Bother!”saidPooh.“ItallcomesoftryingtobekindtoHeffalumps.”Andhegotbackintobed.

Buthecouldn’tsleep.Themorehetriedtosleep,themorehecouldn’t.HetriedCountingSheep,whichissometimesagoodwayofgettingtosleep,and,asthatwasnogood,hetriedcountingHeffalumps.Andthatwasworse.BecauseeveryHeffalumpthathecountedwasmakingstraightforapotofPooh’shoney,

andeatingitall.Forsomeminuteshelaytheremiserably,butwhenthefivehundredandeighty-seventhHeffalumpwaslickingitsjaws,andsayingtoitself,“Verygoodhoneythis,Idon’tknowwhenI’vetastedbetter,”Poohcouldbearitnolonger.Hejumpedoutofbed,heranoutofthehouse,andheranstraighttotheSixPineTrees.

TheSunwasstillinbed,buttherewasalightnessintheskyovertheHundredAcreWoodwhichseemedtoshowthatitwaswakingupandwouldsoonbekickingofftheclothes.Inthehalf-lightthePineTreeslookedcoldandlonely,andtheVeryDeepPitseemeddeeperthanitwas,andPooh’sjarofhoneyatthebottomwassomethingmysterious,ashapeandnomore.Butashegotnearertoithisnosetoldhimthatitwasindeedhoney,andhistonguecameoutandbegantopolishuphismouth,readyforit.

“Bother!”saidPooh,ashegothisnoseinsidethejar.“AHeffalumphasbeeneatingit!”Andthenhethoughtalittleandsaid,“Oh,no,Idid.Iforgot.”

Indeed,hehadeatenmostofit.Buttherewasalittleleftattheverybottomofthejar,andhepushedhisheadrightin,andbegantolick….

ByandbyPigletwokeup.Assoonashewokehesaidtohimself,“Oh!”Thenhesaidbravely,“Yes,”andthen,stillmorebravely,“Quiteso.”Buthedidn’tfeelverybrave,forthewordwhichwasreallyjiggetingaboutinhisbrainwas“Heffalumps.”

WhatwasaHeffalumplike?WasitFierce?Diditcomewhenyouwhistled?Andhowdiditcome?WasitFondofPigsatall?IfitwasFondofPigs,diditmakeanydifferencewhatsortofPig?SupposingitwasFiercewithPigs,woulditmakeanydifferenceifthePig

hadagrandfathercalledTRESPASSERSWILLIAM?

Hedidn’tknowtheanswertoanyofthesequestions…andhewasgoingtoseehisfirstHeffalumpinaboutanhourfromnow!

OfcoursePoohwouldbewithhim,anditwasmuchmoreFriendlywithtwo.ButsupposeHeffalumpswereVeryFiercewithPigsandBears?Wouldn’titbebettertopretendthathehadaheadache,andcouldn’tgouptotheSixPineTreesthismorning?Butthensupposethatitwasaveryfineday,andtherewasnoHeffalumpinthetrap,herehewouldbe,inbedallthemorning,simplywastinghistimefornothing.Whatshouldhedo?

AndthenhehadaCleverIdea.HewouldgoupveryquietlytotheSixPine

Treesnow,peepverycautiouslyintotheTrap,andseeiftherewasaHeffalumpthere.Andiftherewas,hewouldgobacktobed,andiftherewasn’t,hewouldn’t.

Sooffhewent.Atfirsthethoughtthattherewouldn’tbeaHeffalumpintheTrap,andthenhethoughtthattherewould,andashegotnearerhewassurethattherewould,becausehecouldhearitheffalumpingaboutitlikeanything.

“Oh,dear,oh,dear,oh,dear!”saidPiglettohimself.Andhewantedtorunaway.Butsomehow,havinggotsonear,hefeltthathemustjustseewhataHeffalumpwaslike.SohecrepttothesideoftheTrapandlookedin….

AndallthetimeWinniethe-Poohhadbeentryingtogetthehoney-jaroffhishead.Themoreheshookit,themoretightlyitstuck.“Bother!”hesaid,insidethejar,and“Oh,help!”and,mostly“Ow!”Andhetriedbumpingitagainstthings,butashecouldn’tseewhathewasbumpingitagainst,itdidn’thelphim;andhetriedtoclimboutoftheTrap,butashecouldseenothingbutjar,andnotmuchofthat,hecouldn’tfindhisway.Soatlasthelifteduphishead,jarandall,andmadealoud,roaringnoiseofSadnessandDespair…anditwasatthatmomentthatPigletlookeddown.

“Help,help!”criedPiglet,“aHeffalump,aHorribleHeffalump!”andhescamperedoffashardashecould,stillcryingout,“Help,help,aHerribleHoffalump!Hoff,Hoff,aHellibleHorralump!Holl,Holl,aHoffableHellerump!”Andhedidn’tstopcryingandscamperinguntilhegottoChristopherRobin’shouse.

“Whatever’sthematter,Piglet?”saidChristopherRobin,whowasjustgettingup.

“Heff,”saidPiglet,breathingsohardthathecouldhardlyspeak,“aHell—aHeff—aHeffalump.”

“Where?”“Upthere,”saidPiglet,wavinghispaw.“Whatdiditlooklike?”“Like—like—Ithadthebiggestheadyoueversaw,ChristopherRobin.A

greatenormousthing,like—likenothing.Ahugebig—well,likea—Idon’tknow—likeanenormousbignothing.Likeajar.”

“Well,”saidChristopherRobin,puttingonhisshoes,“Ishallgoandlookatit.Comeon.”

Pigletwasn’tafraidifhehadChristopherRobinwithhim,soofftheywent….

“Icanhearit,can’tyou?”saidPigletanxiously,astheygotnear.“Icanhearsomething,”saidChristopherRobin.

ItwasPoohbumpinghisheadagainstatree-roothehadfound.“There!”saidPiglet.“Isn’titawful?”AndheheldontighttoChristopher

Robin’shand.SuddenlyChristopherRobinbegantolaugh…andhelaughed…andhe

laughed…andhelaughed.Andwhilehewasstilllaughing—CrashwenttheHeffalump’sheadagainstthetree-root,Smashwentthejar,andoutcamePooh’sheadagain….

ThenPigletsawwhataFoolishPiglethehadbeen,andhewassoashamed

ThenPigletsawwhataFoolishPiglethehadbeen,andhewassoashamedofhimselfthatheranstraightoffhomeandwenttobedwithaheadache.ButChristopherRobinandPoohwenthometobreakfasttogether.

“Oh,Bear!”saidChristopherRobin.“HowIdoloveyou!”“SodoI,”saidPooh.

ChapterSix

INWHICH

EeyoreHasaBirthdayandGetsTwoPresents

EEYORE,theoldgreyDonkey,stoodbythesideofthestream,andlookedathimselfinthewater.

“Pathetic,”hesaid.“That’swhatitis.Pathetic.”Heturnedandwalkedslowlydownthestreamfortwentyyards,splashed

acrossit,andwalkedslowlybackontheotherside.Thenhelookedathimselfinthewateragain.

“AsIthought,”hesaid.“Nobetterfromthisside.Butnobodyminds.Nobodycares.Pathetic,that’swhatitis.”

Therewasacracklingnoiseinthebrackenbehindhim,andoutcamePooh.“Goodmorning,Eeyore,”saidPooh.“Goodmorning,PoohBear,”saidEeyoregloomily.“Ifitisagood

morning,”hesaid.“WhichIdoubt,”saidhe.“Why,what’sthematter?”

“Nothing,PoohBear,nothing.Wecan’tall,andsomeofusdon’t.That’sallthereistoit.”

“Can’tallwhat?”saidPooh,rubbinghisnose.“Gaiety.Song-and-dance.Herewegoroundthemulberrybush.”“Oh!”saidPooh.Hethoughtforalongtime,andthenasked,“What

mulberrybushisthat?”“Bonhommy,”wentonEeyoregloomily.“Frenchwordmeaning

bonhommy,”heexplained.“I’mnotcomplaining,butThereItIs.”

Poohsatdownonalargestone,andtriedtothinkthisout.Itsoundedtohim

likeariddle,andhewasnevermuchgoodatriddles,beingaBearofVeryLittleBrain.SohesangCottlestonPieinstead:Cottleston,Cottleston,CottlestonPie,Aflycan’tbird,butabirdcanfly.AskmeariddleandIreply:“Cottleston,Cottleston,CottlestonPie.”

Thatwasthefirstverse.Whenhehadfinishedit,Eeyoredidn’tactuallysaythathedidn’tlikeit,soPoohverykindlysangthesecondversetohim:Cottleston,Cottleston,CottlestonPie,Afishcan’twhistleandneithercanI.AskmeariddleandIreply:“Cottleston,Cottleston,CottlestonPie.”

Eeyorestillsaidnothingatall,soPoohhummedthethirdversequietlytohimself:Cottleston,Cottleston,CottlestonPie,Whydoesachicken,Idon’tknowwhy.AskmeariddleandIreply:“Cottleston,Cottleston,CottlestonPie.”

“That’sright,”saidEeyore.“Sing.Umty-tiddly,umtytoo.HerewegogatheringNutsandMay.Enjoyyourself.”

“Iam,”saidPooh.“Somecan,”saidEeyore.

“Why,what’sthematter?”“Isanythingthematter?”“Youseemsosad,Eeyore.”“Sad?WhyshouldIbesad?It’smybirthday.Thehappiestdayoftheyear.”“Yourbirthday?”saidPoohingreatsurprise.“Ofcourseitis.Can’tyousee?LookatallthepresentsIhavehad.”He

wavedafootfromsidetoside.“Lookatthebirthdaycake.Candlesandpinksugar.”

Poohlooked—firsttotherightandthentotheleft.

“Presents?”saidPooh.“Birthdaycake?”saidPooh.“Where?”“Can’tyouseethem?”“No,”saidPooh.“NeithercanI,”saidEeyore.“Joke,”heexplained.“Haha!”Poohscratchedhishead,beingalittlepuzzledbyallthis.“Butisitreallyyourbirthday?”heasked.“Itis.”“Oh!Well,Manyhappyreturnsoftheday,Eeyore.”“Andmanyhappyreturnstoyou,PoohBear.”“Butitisn’tmybirthday.”“No,it’smine.”“Butyousaid‘Manyhappyreturns’—”“Well,whynot?Youdon’talwayswanttobemiserableonmybirthday,do

you?”“Oh,Isee,”saidPooh.“It’sbadenough,”saidEeyore,almostbreakingdown,“beingmiserable

myself,whatwithnopresentsandnocakeandnocandles,andnopropernoticetakenofmeatall,butifeverybodyelseisgoingtobemiserabletoo—”

ThiswastoomuchforPooh.“Staythere!”hecalledtoEeyore,asheturnedandhurriedbackhomeasquickashecould;forhefeltthathemustgetpoorEeyoreapresentofsomesortatonce,andhecouldalwaysthinkofaproperoneafterwards.

OutsidehishousehefoundPiglet,jumpingupanddowntryingtoreachtheknocker.

“Hallo,Piglet,”hesaid.“Hallo,Pooh,”saidPiglet.“Whatareyoutryingtodo?”“Iwastryingtoreachtheknocker,”saidPiglet.“Ijustcameround—”“Letmedoitforyou,”saidPoohkindly.Sohereachedupandknockedat

thedoor.“IhavejustseenEeyore,”hebegan,“andpoorEeyoreisinaVerySad

thedoor.“IhavejustseenEeyore,”hebegan,“andpoorEeyoreisinaVerySadCondition,becauseit’shisbirthday,andnobodyhastakenanynoticeofit,andhe’sveryGloomy—youknowwhatEeyoreis—andtherehewas,and—Whatalongtimewhoeverliveshereisansweringthisdoor.”Andheknockedagain.

“ButPooh,”saidPiglet,“it’syourownhouse!”“Oh!”saidPooh.“Soitis,”hesaid.“Well,let’sgoin.”

Sointheywent.ThefirstthingPoohdidwastogotothecupboardtoseeifhehadquiteasmalljarofhoneyleft;andhehad,sohetookitdown.

“I’mgivingthistoEeyore,”heexplained,“asapresent.Whatareyougoingtogive?”

“Couldn’tIgiveittoo?”saidPiglet.“Frombothofus?”“No,”saidPooh.“Thatwouldnotbeagoodplan.”“Allright,then,I’llgivehimaballoon.I’vegotoneleftfrommyparty.I’ll

goandgetitnow,shallI?”“That,Piglet,isaverygoodidea.ItisjustwhatEeyorewantstocheerhim

up.Nobodycanbeuncheeredwithaballoon.”SooffPiglettrotted;andintheotherdirectionwentPooh,withhisjarof

honey.Itwasawarmday,andhehadalongwaytogo.Hehadn’tgonemorethan

half-waywhenasortoffunnyfeelingbegantocreepalloverhim.Itbeganatthetipofhisnoseandtrickledallthroughhimandoutatthesolesofhisfeet.Itwasjustasifsomebodyinsidehimweresaying,“Nowthen,Pooh,timeforalittlesomething.”

“Dear,dear”saidPooh,“Ididn’tknowitwasaslateasthat.”Sohesatdownandtookthetopoffhisjarofhoney.“LuckyIbroughtthiswithme,”hethought.“Manyabeargoingoutonawarmdaylikethiswouldneverhavethoughtofbringingalittlesomethingwithhim.”Andhebegantoeat.

bringingalittlesomethingwithhim.”Andhebegantoeat.

“Nowletmesee,”hethought,ashetookhislastlickoftheinsideofthejar,‘’wherewasIgoing?Ah,yes,Eeyore.”Hegotupslowly.

Andthen,suddenly,heremembered.HehadeatenEeyore’spresent!

“Bother!”saidPooh.“WhatshallIdo?Imustgivehimsomething.”Foralittlewhilehecouldn’tthinkofanything.Thenhethought:“Well,it’s

averynicepot,evenifthere’snohoneyinit,andifIwasheditclean,andgotsomebodytowrite‘AHappyBirthday’onit,Eeyorecouldkeepthingsinit,whichmightbeUseful.”So,ashewasjustpassingtheHundredAcreWood,hewentinsidetocallonOwl,wholivedthere.

“Goodmorning,Owl,”hesaid.“Goodmorning,Pooh,”saidOwl.“ManyhappyreturnsofEeyore’sbirthday,”saidPooh.“Oh,isthatwhatitis?”“Whatareyougivinghim,Owl?”“Whatareyougivinghim,Pooh?”“I’mgivinghimaUsefulPottoKeepThingsIn,andIwantedtoaskyou—”“Isthisit?”saidOwl,takingitoutofPooh’spaw.“Yes,andIwantedtoaskyou—”“Somebodyhasbeenkeepinghoneyinit,”saidOwl.“Youcankeepanythinginit,”saidPoohearnestly.“It’sVeryUsefullike

that.AndIwantedtoaskyou—”“Yououghttowrite‘AHappyBirthday’onit.”“ThatwaswhatIwantedtoaskyou,”saidPooh.“Becausemyspellingis

Wobbly.It’sgoodspellingbutitWobbles,andthelettersgetinthewrongplaces.Wouldyouwrite‘AHappyBirthday’onitforme?”

“It’sanicepot,”saidOwl,lookingatitallround.

“It’sanicepot,”saidOwl,lookingatitallround.“Couldn’tIgiveittoo?Frombothofus?”“No,”saidPooh.“Thatwouldnotbeagoodplan.NowI’lljustwashitfirst,

andthenyoucanwriteonit.”Well,hewashedthepotout,anddriedit,whileOwllickedtheendofhis

pencil,andwonderedhowtospell“birthday.”

“Canyouread,Pooh?”heasked,alittleanxiously.“There’sanoticeaboutknockingandringingoutsidemydoor,whichChristopherRobinwrote.Couldyoureadit?”

“ChristopherRobintoldmewhatitsaid,andthenIcould.”“Well,I’lltellyouwhatthissays,andthenyou’llbeableto.”SoOwlwrote…andthisiswhathewrote:

HIPYPAPYBTHUTHDTHTHUTHDABTHUTHDY.

Poohlookedonadmiringly.“I’mjustsaying‘AHappyBirthday,’”saidOwlcarelessly.“It’sanicelongone,”saidPooh,verymuchimpressedbyit.“Well,actually,ofcourse,I’msaying‘AVeryHappyBirthdaywithlove

fromPooh.’Naturallyittakesagooddealofpenciltosayalongthinglikethat.”“Oh,Isee,”saidPooh.Whileallthiswashappening,Piglethadgonebacktohisownhousetoget

Eeyore’sballoon.Hehelditverytightlyagainsthimself,sothatitshouldn’tblowaway,andheranasfastashecouldsoastogettoEeyorebeforePoohdid;forhethoughtthathewouldliketobethefirstonetogiveapresent,justasifhehadthoughtofitwithoutbeingtoldbyanybody.Andrunningalong,andthinkinghowpleasedEeyorewouldbe,hedidn’tlookwherehewasgoing…andsuddenlyheputhisfootinarabbithole,andfelldownflatonhisface.

BANG!!!???***!!!

Pigletlaythere,wonderingwhathadhappened.Atfirsthethoughtthatthewholeworldhadblownup;andthenhethoughtthatperhapsonlytheForestpartofithad;andthenhethoughtthatperhapsonlyhehad,andhewasnowaloneinthemoonorsomewhere,andwouldneverseeChristopherRobinorPoohorEeyoreagain.Andthenhethought,“Well,evenifI’minthemoon,Ineedn’tbefacedownwardsallthetime,”sohegotcautiouslyupandlookedabouthim.

HewasstillintheForest!“Well,that’sfunny,”hethought.“Iwonderwhatthatbangwas.Icouldn’t

havemadesuchanoisejustfallingdown.Andwhere’smyballoon?Andwhat’sthatsmallpieceofdampragdoing?”

Itwastheballoon!“Oh,dear!”saidPiglet.“Oh,dear,oh,dearie,dearie,dear!Well,it’stoolate

now.Ican’tgoback,andIhaven’tanotherballoon,andperhapsEeyoredoesn’tlikeballoonssoverymuch.”

Sohetrottedon,rathersadlynow,anddownhecametothesideofthestreamwhereEeyorewas,andcalledouttohim.

“Goodmorning,Eeyore,”shoutedPiglet.“Goodmorning,LittlePiglet,”saidEeyore.“Ifitisagoodmorning,”he

said.“WhichIdoubt,”saidhe.“Notthatitmatters,”hesaid.“Manyhappyreturnsoftheday,”saidPiglet,havingnowgotcloser.Eeyorestoppedlookingathimselfinthestream,andturnedtostareatPiglet.“Justsaythatagain,”hesaid.“Manyhap—”“Waitamoment.”Balancingonthreelegs,hebegantobringhisfourthlegverycautiouslyup

tohisear.“Ididthisyesterday,”heexplained,ashefelldownforthethirdtime.“It’squiteeasy.It’ssoasIcanhearbetter….There,that’sdoneit!Nowthen,whatwereyousaying?”Hepushedhisearforwardwithhishoof.

“Manyhappyreturnsoftheday,”saidPigletagain.

“Manyhappyreturnsoftheday,”saidPigletagain.“Meaningme?”“Ofcourse,Eeyore.”“Mybirthday?”“Yes.”“Mehavingarealbirthday?”“Yes,Eeyore,andI’vebroughtyouapresent.”Eeyoretookdownhisrighthooffromhisrightear,turnedround,andwith

greatdifficultyputuphislefthoof.“Imusthavethatintheotherear,”hesaid.“Nowthen.”“Apresent,”saidPigletveryloudly.“Meaningmeagain?”“Yes.”“Mybirthdaystill?”“Ofcourse,Eeyore.”“Megoingonhavingarealbirthday?”“Yes,Eeyore,andIbroughtyouaballoon.”“Balloon?”saidEeyore.“Youdidsayballoon?Oneofthosebigcoloured

thingsyoublowup?Gaiety,song-and-dance,hereweareandthereweare?”“Yes,butI’mafraid—I’mverysorry,Eeyore—butwhenIwasrunning

alongtobringittoyou,Ifelldown.”“Dear,dear,howunlucky!Yourantoofast,Iexpect.Youdidn’thurt

yourself,LittlePiglet?”“No,butI—I—oh,Eeyore,Ibursttheballoon!”Therewasaverylongsilence.“Myballoon?”saidEeyoreatlast.Pigletnodded.“Mybirthdayballoon?”“Yes,Eeyore,”saidPigletsniffingalittle.“Hereitis.With—withmany

happyreturnsoftheday.”AndhegaveEeyorethesmallpieceofdamprag.

“Isthisit?”saidEeyore,alittlesurprised.Pigletnodded.“Mypresent?”Pigletnoddedagain.

Pigletnoddedagain.“Theballoon?”“Yes.”

“Thankyou,Piglet,”saidEeyore.“Youdon’tmindmyasking,”hewenton,

“butwhatcolourwasthisballoonwhenit—whenitwasaballoon?”“Red.”“Ijustwondered….Red,”hemurmuredtohimself.“Myfavouritecolour….

Howbigwasit?”“Aboutasbigasme.”“Ijustwondered….AboutasbigasPiglet,”hesaidtohimselfsadly.“My

favouritesize.Well,well.”Pigletfeltverymiserable,anddidn’tknowwhattosay.Hewasstillopening

hismouthtobeginsomething,andthendecidingthatitwasn’tanygoodsayingthat,whenheheardashoutfromtheothersideoftheriver,andtherewasPooh.

“Manyhappyreturnsoftheday,”calledoutPooh,forgettingthathehadsaiditalready.

“Thankyou,Pooh,I’mhavingthem,”saidEeyoregloomily.“I’vebroughtyoualittlepresent,”saidPoohexcitedly.“I’vehadit,”saidEeyore.PoohhadnowsplashedacrossthestreamtoEeyore,andPigletwassittinga

littlewayoff,hisheadinhispaws,snufflingtohimself.“It’saUsefulPot,”saidPooh.“Hereitis.Andit’sgot‘AVeryHappy

BirthdaywithlovefromPooh’writtenonit.That’swhatallthatwritingis.Andit’sforputtingthingsin.There!”

WhenEeyoresawthepot,hebecamequiteexcited.“Why!”hesaid.“IbelievemyBalloonwilljustgointothatPot!”“Oh,no,Eeyore,”saidPooh.“BalloonsaremuchtoobigtogointoPots.

Whatyoudowithaballoonis,youholdtheballoon—”“Notmine,”saidEeyoreproudly.“Look,Piglet!”AndasPigletlooked

sorrowfullyround,Eeyorepickedtheballoonupwithhisteeth,andplaceditcarefullyinthepot;pickeditoutandputitontheground;andthenpickeditupagainandputitcarefullyback.

“Soitdoes!”saidPooh.“Itgoesin!”“Soitdoes!”saidPiglet.“Anditcomesout!”“Doesn’tit?”saidEeyore.“Itgoesinandoutlikeanything.”“I’mveryglad,”saidPoohhappily,“thatIthoughtofgivingyouaUseful

Pottoputthingsin.”“I’mveryglad,”saidPiglethappily,“thatIthoughtofgivingyouSomething

toputinaUsefulPot.”

toputinaUsefulPot.”ButEeyorewasn’tlistening.Hewastakingtheballoonout,andputtingit

backagain,ashappyascouldbe….

“Anddidn’tIgivehimanything?”askedChristopherRobinsadly.“Ofcourseyoudid,”Isaid.“Yougavehim—don’tyouremember—alittle

—alittle—”“Igavehimaboxofpaintstopaintthingswith.”“Thatwasit.”“Whydidn’tIgiveittohiminthemorning?”“Youweresobusygettinghispartyreadyforhim.Hehadacakewithicing

onthetop,andthreecandles,andhisnameinpinksugar,and—”“Yes,Iremember,”saidChristopherRobin.

ChapterSeven

INWHICH

KangaandBabyRooCometotheForest,andPigletHasaBath

NOBODYseemedtoknowwheretheycamefrom,buttheretheywereintheForest:KangaandBabyRoo.WhenPoohaskedChristopherRobin,“Howdidtheycomehere?”ChristopherRobinsaid,“IntheUsualWay,ifyouknowwhatImean,Pooh,”andPooh,whodidn’t,said“Oh!”Thenhenoddedhisheadtwiceandsaid,“IntheUsualWay.Ah!”ThenhewenttocalluponhisfriendPiglettoseewhathethoughtaboutit.AndatPiglet’shousehefoundRabbit.Sotheyalltalkedaboutittogether.

“WhatIdon’tlikeaboutitisthis,”saidRabbit.“Herearewe—you,Pooh,andyou,Piglet,andMe—andsuddenly—”

“AndEeyore,”saidPooh.“AndEeyore—andthensuddenly—”“AndOwl,”saidPooh.“AndOwl—andthenallofasudden—”

“Oh,andEeyore,”saidPooh.“Iwasforgettinghim.”“Here—we—are,”saidRabbitveryslowlyandcarefully,“all—of—us,and

then,suddenly,wewakeuponemorningand,whatdowefind?WefindaStrangeAnimalamongus.Ananimalofwhomwehaveneverevenheardbefore!Ananimalwhocarriesherfamilyaboutwithherinherpocket!SupposeIcarriedmyfamilyaboutwithmeinmypocket,howmanypocketsshouldIwant?”

“Sixteen,”saidPiglet.“Seventeen,isn’tit?”saidRabbit.“Andonemoreforahandkerchief—that’s

eighteen.Eighteenpocketsinonesuit!Ihaven’ttime.”Therewasalongandthoughtfulsilence…andthenPooh,whohadbeen

frowningveryhardforsomeminutes,said:“Imakeitfifteen.”“What?”saidRabbit.“Fifteen.”“Fifteenwhat?”“Yourfamily.”“Whataboutthem?”

“Whataboutthem?”PoohrubbedhisnoseandsaidthathethoughtRabbithadbeentalkingabout

hisfamily.“DidI?”saidRabbitcarelessly.“Yes,yousaid—”“Nevermind,Pooh,”saidPigletimpatiently.“Thequestionis,WhatarewetodoaboutKanga?”“Oh,Isee,”saidPooh.“Thebestway,”saidRabbit,“wouldbethis.Thebestwaywouldbetosteal

BabyRooandhidehim,andthenwhenKangasays,‘Where’sBabyRoo?’wesay,‘Aha!’”

“Aha!”saidPooh,practising.“Aha!Aha!…Ofcourse,”hewenton,“wecouldsay‘Aha!’evenifwehadn’tstolenBabyRoo.”

“Pooh,”saidRabbitkindly,“youhaven’tanybrain.”“Iknow,”saidPoohhumbly.“Wesay‘Aha!’sothatKangaknowsthatweknowwhereBabyRoois.

‘Aha!’means‘We’lltellyouwhereBabyRoois,ifyoupromisetogoawayfromtheForestandnevercomeback.’Nowdon’ttalkwhileIthink.”

Poohwentintoacornerandtriedsaying“Aha!”inthatsortofvoice.SometimesitseemedtohimthatitdidmeanwhatRabbitsaid,andsometimesitseemedtohimthatitdidn’t.“Isupposeit’sjustpractice,”hethought.“IwonderifKangawillhavetopractisetoosoastounderstandit.”

“There’sjustonething,”saidPiglet,fidgetingabit.“IwastalkingtoChristopherRobin,andhesaidthataKangawasGenerallyRegardedasOneoftheFiercerAnimals.IamnotfrightenedofFierceAnimalsintheordinaryway,butitiswellknownthat,ifOneoftheFiercerAnimalsisDeprivedofItsYoung,itbecomesasfierceasTwooftheFiercerAnimals.Inwhichcase‘Aha!’isperhapsafoolishthingtosay.”

“Piglet,”saidRabbit,takingoutapencil,andlickingtheendofit,“youhaven’tanypluck.”

“Itishardtobebrave,”saidPiglet,sniffingslightly,“whenyou’reonlyaVerySmallAnimal.”

Rabbit,whohadbeguntowriteverybusily,lookedupandsaid:

“ItisbecauseyouareaverysmallanimalthatyouwillbeUsefulinthe

“ItisbecauseyouareaverysmallanimalthatyouwillbeUsefulintheadventurebeforeus.”

PigletwassoexcitedattheideaofbeingUsefulthatheforgottobefrightenedanymore,andwhenRabbitwentontosaythatKangaswereonlyFierceduringthewintermonths,beingatothertimesofanAffectionateDisposition,hecouldhardlysitstill,hewassoeagertobeginbeingusefulatonce.

“Whataboutme?”saidPoohsadly.“IsupposeIshan’tbeuseful?”“Nevermind,Pooh,”saidPigletcomfortingly.“Anothertimeperhaps.”“WithoutPooh,”saidRabbitsolemnlyashesharpenedhispencil,“the

adventurewouldbeimpossible.”“Oh!”saidPiglet,andtriednottolookdisappointed.ButPoohwentintoa

corneroftheroomandsaidproudlytohimself,“ImpossiblewithoutMe!ThatsortofBear.”

“Nowlistenallofyou,”saidRabbitwhenhehadfinishedwriting,andPoohandPigletsatlisteningveryeagerlywiththeirmouthsopen.ThiswaswhatRabbitreadout:PLANTOCAPTUREBABYROO

1. GeneralRemarks.KangarunsfasterthananyofUs,evenMe.

2. MoreGeneralRemarks.KanganevertakeshereyeoffBabyRoo,exceptwhenhe’ssafelybuttonedupinherpocket.

3. Therefore.IfwearetocaptureBabyRoo,wemustgetaLongStart,becauseKangarunsfasterthananyofUs,evenMe.(See1.)

4. AThought.IfRoohadjumpedoutofKanga’spocketandPiglethadjumpedin,Kangawouldn’tknowthedifference,becausePigletisaVerySmallAnimal.

5. LikeRoo.

6. ButKangawouldhavetobelookingtheotherwayfirst,soasnottoseePigletjumpingin.

7. See2.

8. AnotherThought.ButifPoohwastalkingtoherveryexcitedly,shemightlooktheotherwayforamoment.

9. AndthenIcouldrunawaywithRoo.

10. Quickly.

11. AndKangawouldn’tdiscoverthedifferenceuntilAfterwards.

Well,Rabbitreadthisoutproudly,andforalittlewhileafterhehadreaditnobodysaidanything.AndthenPiglet,whohadbeenopeningandshuttinghismouthwithoutmakinganynoise,managedtosayveryhuskily:“And—Afterwards?”

“Howdoyoumean?”“WhenKangadoesDiscovertheDifference?”“Thenweallsay‘Aha!’”“Allthreeofus?”“Yes.”“Oh!”“Why,what’sthetrouble,Piglet?”“Nothing,”saidPiglet,“aslongasweallthreesayit.Aslongasweallthree

sayit,”saidPiglet,“Idon’tmind,”hesaid,“butIshouldn’tcaretosay‘Aha!’bymyself.Itwouldn’tsoundnearlysowell.Bytheway,”hesaid,“youarequitesureaboutwhatyousaidaboutthewintermonths?”

“Thewintermonths?”“Yes,onlybeingFierceintheWinterMonths.”“Oh,yes,yes,that’sallright.Well,Pooh?Youseewhatyouhavetodo?”“No,”saidPoohBear.“Notyet,”hesaid.“WhatdoIdo?”“Well,youjusthavetotalkveryhardtoKangasoasshedoesn’tnotice

anything.”“Oh!Whatabout?”“Anythingyoulike.”“Youmeanliketellingheralittlebitofpoetryorsomething?”“That’sit,”saidRabbit.“Splendid.Nowcomealong.”SotheyallwentouttolookforKanga.KangaandRoowerespendingaquietafternooninasandypartofthe

Forest.BabyRoowaspractisingverysmalljumpsinthesand,andfallingdown

Forest.BabyRoowaspractisingverysmalljumpsinthesand,andfallingdownmouse-holesandclimbingoutofthem,andKangawasfidgetingaboutandsaying“Justonemorejump,dear,andthenwemustgohome.”AndatthatmomentwhoshouldcomestumpingupthehillbutPooh.

“Goodafternoon,Kanga.”“Goodafternoon,Pooh.”“Lookatmejumping,”squeakedRoo,andfellintoanothermouse-hole.

“Hallo,Roo,mylittlefellow!”“Wewerejustgoinghome,”saidKanga.“Goodafternoon,Rabbit.Good

afternoon,Piglet.”RabbitandPiglet,whohadnowcomeupfromtheothersideofthehill,said,

“Goodafternoon,”and“Hallo,Roo,”andRooaskedthemtolookathimjumping,sotheystayedandlooked.

AndKangalookedtoo….“Oh,Kanga,”saidPooh,afterRabbithadwinkedathimtwice,“Idon’t

knowifyouareinterestedinPoetryatall?”“Hardlyatall,”saidKanga.“Oh!”saidPooh.“Roo,dear,justonemorejumpandthenwemustgohome.”TherewasashortsilencewhileRoofelldownanothermouse-hole.“Goon,”saidRabbitinaloudwhisperbehindhispaw.“TalkingofPoetry,”saidPooh,“ImadeupalittlepieceasIwascoming

along.Itwentlikethis.Er—nowletmesee—”“Fancy!”saidKanga.“NowRoo,dear—”“You’lllikethispieceofpoetry,”saidRabbit.“You’llloveit,”saidPiglet.“Youmustlistenverycarefully,”saidRabbit.“Soasnottomissanyofit,”saidPiglet.“Oh,yes,”saidKanga,butshestilllookedatBabyRoo.

“Howdiditgo,Pooh?”saidRabbit.Poohgavealittlecoughandbegan.

LINESWRITTENBYABEAROFLITTLEBRAIN

OnMonday,whenthesunishotIwondertomyselfalot:“Nowisittrue,orisitnot,“Thatwhatiswhichandwhichiswhat?”

OnTuesday,whenithailsandsnows,ThefeelingonmegrowsandgrowsThathardlyanybodyknowsIfthosearetheseorthesearethose.

OnWednesday,whentheskyisblue,AndIhavenothingelsetodo,Isometimeswonderifit’strueThatwhoiswhatandwhatiswho.

OnThursday,whenitstartstofreezeAndhoar-frosttwinklesonthetrees,HowveryreadilyoneseesThatthesearewhose—butwhosearethese?

OnFriday—

“Yes,itis,isn’tit?”saidKanga,notwaitingtohearwhathappenedonFriday.“Justonemorejump,Roo,dear,andthenwereallymustbegoing.”

RabbitgavePoohahurrying-upsortofnudge.“TalkingofPoetry,”saidPoohquickly,“haveyouevernoticedthattree

rightoverthere?”“Where?”saidKanga.“Now,Roo—”“Rightoverthere,”saidPooh,pointingbehindKanga’sback.“No,”saidKanga.“Nowjumpin,Roo,dear,andwe’llgohome.”

“Yououghttolookatthattreerightoverthere,”saidRabbit.“ShallIliftyouin,Roo?”AndhepickedupRooinhispaws.

“Icanseeabirdinitfromhere,”saidPooh.“Orisitafish?”“Yououghttoseethatbirdfromhere,”saidRabbit.“Unlessit’safish.”“Itisn’tafish,it’sabird,”saidPiglet.“Soitis,”saidRabbit.“Isitastarlingorablackbird?”saidPooh.“That’sthewholequestion,”saidRabbit.“Isitablackbirdorastarling?”AndthenatlastKangadidturnherheadtolook.Andthemomentthather

headwasturned,Rabbitsaidinaloudvoice“Inyougo,Roo!”andinjumpedPigletintoKanga’spocket,andoffscamperedRabbit,withRooinhispaws,asfastashecould.

“Why,where’sRabbit?”saidKanga,turningroundagain.“Areyouallright,Roo,dear?”

PigletmadeasqueakyRoo-noisefromthebottomofKanga’spocket.“Rabbithadtogoaway,”saidPooh.“Ithinkhethoughtofsomethinghehad

togoandseeaboutsuddenly.”“AndPiglet?”“IthinkPigletthoughtofsomethingatthesametime.Suddenly.”“Well,wemustbegettinghome,”saidKanga.“Good-bye,Pooh.”Andin

threelargejumpsshewasgone.Poohlookedafterherasshewent.“IwishIcouldjumplikethat,”hethought.“Somecanandsomecan’t.

That’showitis.”ButthereweremomentswhenPigletwishedthatKangacouldn’t.Often,

whenhehadhadalongwalkhomethroughtheForest,hehadwishedthathewereabird;butnowhethoughtjerkilytohimselfatthebottomofKanga’s

pocket,Andashewentupintheair,hesaid,“Ooooooo!”andashecamedownhe

said,“Ow!”Andhewassaying,“Ooooooo-ow,Ooooooo-ow,Ooooooo-ow”allthewaytoKanga’shouse.

OfcourseassoonasKangaunbuttonedherpocket,shesawwhathadhappened.Justforamoment,shethoughtshewasfrightened,andthensheknewshewasn’t;forshefeltquitesurethatChristopherRobinwouldneverletanyharmhappentoRoo.Soshesaidtoherself,“Iftheyarehavingajokewithme,Iwillhaveajokewiththem.”

“Nowthen,Roo,dear,”shesaid,asshetookPigletoutofherpocket.“Bed-time.”

“Aha!”saidPiglet,aswellashecouldafterhisTerrifyingJourney.Butitwasn’taverygood“Aha!”andKangadidn’tseemtounderstandwhatitmeant.

“Bathfirst,”saidKangainacheerfulvoice.“Aha!”saidPigletagain,lookingroundanxiouslyfortheothers.Butthe

othersweren’tthere.RabbitwasplayingwithBabyRooinhisownhouse,andfeelingmorefondofhimeveryminute,andPooh,whohaddecidedtobea

Kanga,wasstillatthesandyplaceonthetopoftheForest,practisingjumps.“Iamnotatallsure,”saidKangainathoughtfulvoice,“thatitwouldn’tbea

goodideatohaveacoldbaththisevening.Wouldyoulikethat,Roo,dear?”Piglet,whohadneverbeenreallyfondofbaths,shudderedalongindignant

shudder,andsaidinasbraveavoiceashecould:“Kanga,Iseethetimehascometospleakpainly.”

“FunnylittleRoo,”saidKanga,asshegotthebath-waterready.“IamnotRoo,”saidPigletloudly.“IamPiglet!”“Yes,dear,yes,”saidKangasoothingly.“AndimitatingPiglet’svoicetoo!

Socleverofhim,”shewenton,asshetookalargebarofyellowsoapoutofthecupboard.“Whatwillhebedoingnext?”

“Can’tyousee?”shoutedPiglet.“Haven’tyougoteyes?Lookatme!”“Iamlooking,Roo,dear,”saidKangaratherseverely.“Andyouknowwhat

Itoldyouyesterdayaboutmakingfaces.IfyougoonmakingfaceslikePiglet’s,youwillgrowuptolooklikePiglet—andthenthinkhowsorryyouwillbe.Nowthen,intothebath,anddon’tletmehavetospeaktoyouaboutitagain.”

Beforeheknewwherehewas,Pigletwasinthebath,andKangawasscrubbinghimfirmlywithalargelatheryflannel.

“Ow!”criedPiglet.“Letmeout!I’mPiglet!”“Don’topenthemouth,dear,orthesoapgoesin,”saidKanga.“There!

WhatdidItellyou?”“You—you—youdiditonpurpose,”splutteredPiglet,assoonashecould

speakagain…andthenaccidentallyhadanothermouthfuloflatheryflannel.

speakagain…andthenaccidentallyhadanothermouthfuloflatheryflannel.“That’sright,dear,don’tsayanything,”saidKanga,andinanotherminute

Pigletwasoutofthebath,andbeingrubbeddrywithatowel.“Now,”saidKanga,“there’syourmedicine,andthenbed.”“W-w-whatmedicine?”saidPiglet.“Tomakeyougrowbigandstrong,dear.Youdon’twanttogrowupsmall

andweaklikePiglet,doyou?Well,then!”Atthatmomenttherewasaknockatthedoor.“Comein,”saidKanga,andincameChristopherRobin.“ChristopherRobin,ChristopherRobin!”criedPiglet.“TellKangawhoI

am!ShekeepssayingI’mRoo.I’mnotRoo,amI?”

ChristopherRobinlookedathimverycarefully,andshookhishead.“Youcan’tbeRoo,”hesaid,“becauseI’vejustseenRooplayinginRabbit’s

house.”“Well!”saidKanga.“Fancythat!Fancymymakingamistakelikethat.”“Thereyouare!”saidPiglet.“Itoldyouso.I’mPiglet.”ChristopherRobinshookhisheadagain.“Oh,you’renotPiglet,”hesaid.“IknowPigletwell,andhe’squitea

differentcolour.”Pigletbegantosaythatthiswasbecausehehadjusthadabath,andthenhe

thoughtthatperhapshewouldn’tsaythat,andasheopenedhismouthtosaysomethingelse,Kangaslippedthemedicinespoonin,andthenpattedhimonthebackandtoldhimthatitwasreallyquiteanicetastewhenyougotusedtoit.

“Iknewitwasn’tPiglet,”saidKanga.“Iwonderwhoitcanbe.”“Perhapsit’ssomerelationofPooh’s,”saidChristopherRobin.“Whatabout

anepheworanuncleorsomething?”Kangaagreedthatthiswasprobablywhatitwas,andsaidthattheywould

havetocallitbysomename.“IshallcallitPootel,”saidChristopherRobin.“HenryPootelforshort.”

“IshallcallitPootel,”saidChristopherRobin.“HenryPootelforshort.”Andjustwhenitwasdecided,HenryPootelwriggledoutofKanga’sarms

andjumpedtotheground.TohisgreatjoyChristopherRobinhadleftthedooropen.NeverhadHenryPootelPigletrunsofastasheranthen,andhedidn’tstoprunninguntilhehadgotquiteclosetohishouse.Butwhenhewasahundredyardsawayhestoppedrunning,androlledtherestofthewayhome,soastogethisownnicecomfortablecolouragain….

SoKangaandRoostayedintheForest.AndeveryTuesdayRoospentthedaywithhisgreatfriendRabbit,andeveryTuesdayKangaspentthedaywithhergreatfriendPooh,teachinghimtojump,andeveryTuesdayPigletspentthedaywithhisgreatfriendChristopherRobin.Sotheywereallhappyagain.

ChapterEight

INWHICH

ChristopherRobinLeadsanExpotitiontotheNorthPole

ONEFINEDAYPoohhadstumpeduptothetopoftheForesttoseeifhisfriendChristopherRobinwasinterestedinBearsatall.Atbreakfastthatmorning(asimplemealofmarmaladespreadlightlyoverahoney-combortwo)hehadsuddenlythoughtofanewsong.Itbeganlikethis:“SingHo!forthelifeofaBear!”

Whenhehadgotasfarasthis,hestretchedhishead,andthoughttohimself“That’saverygoodstartforasong,butwhataboutthesecondline?”Hetriedsinging“Ho,”twoorthreetimes,butitdidn’tseemtohelp.“Perhapsitwouldbebetter,”hethought,“ifIsangHiforthelifeofaBear.”Sohesangit…butitwasn’t.“Verywell,then,”hesaid,“Ishallsingthatfirstlinetwice,andperhapsifIsingitveryquickly,IshallfindmyselfsingingthethirdandfourthlinesbeforeIhavetimetothinkofthem,andthatwillbeaGoodSong.Nowthen:”

SingHo!forthelifeofaBear!SingHo!forthelifeofaBear!

Idon’tmuchmindifitrainsorsnows,’CosI’vegotalotofhoneyonmynicenewnose,Idon’tmuchcareifit

snowsorthaws,’CosI’vegotalotofhoneyonmynicecleanpaws!

SingHo!foraBear!SingHo!foraPooh!

AndI’llhavealittlesomethinginanhourortwo!

AndI’llhavealittlesomethinginanhourortwo!

HewassopleasedwiththissongthathesangitallthewaytothetopoftheForest,“andifIgoonsingingitmuchlonger,”hethought,“itwillbetimeforthelittlesomething,andthenthelastlinewon’tbetrue.”Soheturneditintoahuminstead.

ChristopherRobinwassittingoutsidehisdoor,puttingonhisBigBoots.AssoonashesawtheBigBoots,PoohknewthatanAdventurewasgoingtohappen,andhebrushedthehoneyoffhisnosewiththebackofhispaw,andsprucedhimselfupaswellashecould,soastolookReadyforAnything.

“Good-morning,ChristopherRobin,”hecalledout.“Hallo,PoohBear.Ican’tgetthisbooton.”“That’sbad,”saidPooh.“Doyouthinkyoucouldverykindlyleanagainstme,’cosIkeeppullingso

hardthatIfalloverbackwards.”Poohsatdown,dughisfeetintotheground,andpushedhardagainst

ChristopherRobin’sback,andChristopherRobinpushedhardagainsthis,andpulledandpulledathisbootuntilhehadgotiton.

“Andthat’sthat,”saidPooh.“Whatdowedonext?”“WeareallgoingonanExpedition,”saidChristopherRobin,ashegotup

andbrushedhimself.“Thankyou,Pooh.”“GoingonanExpotition?”saidPooheagerly.“Idon’tthinkI’veeverbeen

ononeofthose.WherearewegoingtoonthisExpotition?”“Expedition,sillyoldBear.It’sgotan‘x’init.”“Oh!”saidPooh.“Iknow.”Buthedidn’treally.“We’regoingtodiscovertheNorthPole.”“Oh!”saidPoohagain.“WhatistheNorthPole?”heasked.“It’sjustathingyoudiscover,”saidChristopherRobincarelessly,notbeing

quitesurehimself.“Oh!Isee,”saidPooh.“Arebearsanygoodatdiscoveringit?”“Ofcoursetheyare.AndRabbitandKangaandallofyou.It’san

Expedition.That’swhatanExpeditionmeans.Alonglineofeverybody.You’dbettertelltheotherstogetready,whileIseeifmygun’sallright.Andwemust

bettertelltheotherstogetready,whileIseeifmygun’sallright.AndwemustallbringProvisions.”

“Bringwhat?”“Thingstoeat.”“Oh!”saidPoohhappily.“IthoughtyousaidProvisions.I’llgoandtell

them.”Andhestumpedoff.ThefirstpersonhemetwasRabbit.

“Hallo,Rabbit,”hesaid,“isthatyou?”“Let’spretenditisn’t,”saidRabbit,“andseewhathappens.”“I’vegotamessageforyou.”“I’llgiveittohim.”“We’reallgoingonanExpotitionwithChristopherRobin!”“Whatisitwhenwe’reonit?”“Asortofboat,Ithink,”saidPooh.“Oh!thatsort.”“Yes.Andwe’regoingtodiscoveraPoleorsomething.OrwasitaMole?

Anyhowwe’regoingtodiscoverit.”“Weare,arewe?”saidRabbit.“Yes.Andwe’vegottobringPo—thingstoeatwithus.Incasewewantto

eatthem.NowI’mgoingdowntoPiglet’s.TellKanga,willyou?”

HeleftRabbitandhurrieddowntoPiglet’shouse.ThePigletwassittingonthegroundatthedoorofhishouseblowinghappilyatadandelion,andwonderingwhetheritwouldbethisyear,nextyear,sometimeornever.Hehad

justdiscoveredthatitwouldbenever,andwastryingtorememberwhat“it”was,andhopingitwasn’tanythingnice,whenPoohcameup.

“Oh!Piglet,”saidPoohexcitedly,“we’regoingonanExpotition,allofus,withthingstoeat.Todiscoversomething.”

“Todiscoverwhat?”saidPigletanxiously.“Oh!justsomething.”“Nothingfierce?”“ChristopherRobindidn’tsayanythingaboutfierce.Hejustsaidithadan

‘x’.”“Itisn’ttheirnecksImind,”saidPigletearnestly.“It’stheirteeth.Butif

ChristopherRobiniscomingIdon’tmindanything.”InalittlewhiletheywereallreadyatthetopoftheForest,andthe

Expotitionstarted.FirstcameChristopherRobinandRabbit,thenPigletandPooh;thenKanga,withRooinherpocket,andOwl;thenEeyore;and,attheend,inalongline,allRabbit’sfriends-and-relations.

“Ididn’taskthem,”explainedRabbitcarelessly.“Theyjustcame.Theyalwaysdo.Theycanmarchattheend,afterEeyore.”

“WhatIsay,”saidEeyore,“isthatit’sunsettling.Ididn’twanttocomeonthisExpo—whatPoohsaid.Ionlycametooblige.ButhereIam;andifIamtheendoftheExpo—whatwe’retalkingabout—thenletmebetheend.Butif,everytimeIwanttositdownforalittlerest,IhavetobrushawayhalfadozenofRabbit’ssmallerfriends-and-relationsfirst,thenthisisn’tanExpo—whateveritis—atall,it’ssimplyaConfusedNoise.That’swhatIsay.”

“IseewhatEeyoremeans,”saidOwl.“Ifyouaskme—”“I’mnotaskinganybody,”saidEeyore.“I’mjusttellingeverybody.Wecan

lookfortheNorthPole,orwecanplay‘HerewegogatheringNutsandMay’withtheendpartofanant’snest.It’sallthesametome.”

Therewasashoutfromthetopoftheline.“Comeon!”calledChristopherRobin.“Comeon!”calledPoohandPiglet.“Comeon!”calledOwl.“We’restarting,”saidRabbit.“Imustgo.”Andhehurriedofftothefrontof

theExpotitionwithChristopherRobin.

theExpotitionwithChristopherRobin.

“Allright,”saidEeyore.“We’regoing.OnlyDon’tBlameMe.”SoofftheyallwenttodiscoverthePole.Andastheywalked,theychattered

toeachotherofthisandthat,allexceptPooh,whowasmakingupasong.“Thisisthefirstverse,”hesaidtoPiglet,whenhewasreadywithit.“Firstverseofwhat?”“Mysong.”“Whatsong?”“Thisone.”“Whichone?”“Well,ifyoulisten,Piglet,you’llhearit.”“HowdoyouknowI’mnotlistening?”Poohcouldn’tanswerthatone,sohebegantosing.

TheyallwentofftodiscoverthePole,OwlandPigletandRabbitandall;

It’saThingyouDiscover,asI’vebeentoleByOwlandPigletandRabbitandall.

Eeyore,ChristopherRobinandPoohAndRabbit’srelationsallwenttoo—AndwherethePolewasnoneofthemknew….

SingHey!forOwlandRabbitandall!

“Hush!”saidChristopherRobinturningroundtoPooh,“we’rejustcomingtoaDangerousPlace.”

“Hush!”saidPoohturningroundquicklytoPiglet.“Hush!”saidPiglettoKanga.“Hush!”saidKangatoOwl,whileRoosaid“Hush!”severaltimesto

himselfveryquietly.

himselfveryquietly.

“Hush!”saidOwltoEeyore.

“Hush!”saidEeyoreinaterriblevoicetoallRabbit’sfriends-and-relations,and“Hush!”theysaidhastilytoeachotheralldowntheline,untilitgottothelastoneofall.Andthelastandsmallestfriend-and-relationwassoupsettofindthatthewholeExpotitionwassaying“Hush!”tohim,thatheburiedhimselfheaddownwardsinacrackintheground,andstayedtherefortwodaysuntilthedangerwasover,andthenwenthomeinagreathurry,andlivedquietlywithhisAuntever-afterwards.HisnamewasAlexanderBeetle.

Theyhadcometoastreamwhichtwistedandtumbledbetweenhighrockybanks,andChristopherRobinsawatoncehowdangerousitwas.

“It’sjusttheplace,”heexplained,“foranAmbush.”“Whatsortofbush?”whisperedPoohtoPiglet.“Agorse-bush?”“MydearPooh,”saidOwlinhissuperiorway,“don’tyouknowwhatan

Ambushis?”“Owl,”saidPiglet,lookingroundathimseverely,“Pooh’swhisperwasa

perfectlyprivatewhisper,andtherewasnoneed—”“AnAmbush,”saidOwl,“isasortofSurprise.”“Soisagorse-bushsometimes,”saidPooh.“AnAmbush,asIwasabouttoexplaintoPooh,”saidPiglet,“isasortof

Surprise.”“Ifpeoplejumpoutatyousuddenly,that’sanAmbush,”saidOwl.“It’sanAmbush,Pooh,whenpeoplejumpatyousuddenly,”explained

Piglet.Pooh,whonowknewwhatanAmbushwas,saidthatagorse-bushhad

Pooh,whonowknewwhatanAmbushwas,saidthatagorse-bushhadsprungathimsuddenlyonedaywhenhefelloffatree,andhehadtakensixdaystogetallthepricklesoutofhimself.

“Wearenottalkingaboutgorse-bushes,”saidOwlalittlecrossly.“Iam,”saidPooh.Theywereclimbingverycautiouslyupthestreamnow,goingfromrockto

rock,andaftertheyhadgonealittlewaytheycametoaplacewherethebankswidenedoutateachside,sothatoneachsideofthewatertherewasalevelstripofgrassonwhichtheycouldsitdownandrest.Assoonashesawthis,ChristopherRobincalled“Halt!”andtheyallsatdownandrested.

“Ithink,”saidChristopherRobin,“thatweoughttoeatallourProvisionsnow,sothatweshan’thavesomuchtocarry.”

“Eatallourwhat?”saidPooh.“Allthatwe’vebrought,”saidPiglet,gettingtowork.“That’sagoodidea,”saidPooh,andhegottoworktoo.“Haveyouallgotsomething?”askedChristopherRobinwithhismouthfull.“Allexceptme,”saidEeyore.“AsUsual.”Helookedroundattheminhis

melancholyway.“Isupposenoneofyouaresittingonathistlebyanychance?”“IbelieveIam,”saidPooh.“Ow!”Hegotup,andlookedbehindhim.“Yes,

Iwas.Ithoughtso.”“Thankyou,Pooh.Ifyou’vequitefinishedwithit.”Hemovedacrossto

Pooh’splace,andbegantoeat.

“Itdon’tdothemanyGood,youknow,sittingonthem,”hewenton,ashelookedupmunching.“TakesalltheLifeoutofthem.Rememberthatanothertime,allofyou.AlittleConsideration,alittleThoughtforOthers,makesallthedifference.”

AssoonashehadfinishedhislunchChristopherRobinwhisperedtoRabbit,andRabbitsaid,“Yes,yes,ofcourse,”andtheywalkedalittlewayupthestreamtogether.

“Ididn’twanttheotherstohear,”saidChristopherRobin.“Quiteso,”saidRabbit,lookingimportant.

“It’s—Iwondered—It’sonly—Rabbit,Isupposeyoudon’tknow,WhatdoestheNorthPolelooklike.”

“Well,”saidRabbit,strokinghiswhiskers.“Nowyou’reaskingme.”“Ididknowonce,onlyI’vesortofforgotten,”saidChristopherRobin

carelessly.“It’safunnything,”saidRabbit,“butI’vesortofforgottentoo,althoughI

didknowonce.”“Isupposeit’sjustapolestuckintheground?”“Suretobeapole,”saidRabbit,“becauseofcallingapole,andifit’sapole,

well,Ishouldthinkitwouldbestickingintheground,shouldn’tyou,becausethere’dbenowhereelsetostickit.”

“Yes,that’swhatIthought.”“Theonlything,”saidRabbit,“is,whereisitsticking?”“That’swhatwe’relookingfor,”saidChristopherRobin.Theywentbacktotheothers.Pigletwaslyingonhisback,sleeping

peacefully.Roowaswashinghisfaceandpawsinthestream,whileKangaexplainedtoeverybodyproudlythatthiswasthefirsttimehehadeverwashedhisfacehimself,andOwlwastellingKangaanInterestingAnecdotefulloflongwordslikeEncyclopaediaandRhododendrontowhichKangawasn’tlistening.

“Idon’tholdwithallthiswashing,”grumbledEeyore.“ThismodernBehind-the-earsnonsense.Whatdoyouthink,Pooh?”

“Well,”saidPooh,“Ithink—”ButweshallneverknowwhatPoohthought,fortherecameasuddensqueak

fromRoo,asplash,andaloudcryofalarmfromKanga.

“Somuchforwashing,”saidEeyore.“Roo’sfallenin!”criedRabbit,andheandChristopherRobincamerushing

downtotherescue.“Lookatmeswimming!”squeakedRoofromthemiddleofhispool,and

washurrieddownawaterfallintothenextpool.

washurrieddownawaterfallintothenextpool.“Areyouallright,Roodear?”calledKangaanxiously.“Yes!”saidRoo.“Lookatmesw—”anddownhewentoverthenext

waterfallintoanotherpool.Everybodywasdoingsomethingtohelp.Piglet,wideawakesuddenly,was

jumpingupanddownandmaking“Oo,Isay”noises;OwlwasexplainingthatinacaseofSuddenandTemporaryImmersiontheImportantThingwastokeeptheHeadAboveWater;Kangawasjumpingalongthebank,saying“Areyousureyou’reallright,Roodear?”towhichRoo,fromwhateverpoolhewasinatthemoment,wasanswering“Lookatmeswimming!”EeyorehadturnedroundandhunghistailoverthefirstpoolintowhichRoofell,andwithhisbacktotheaccidentwasgrumblingquietlytohimself,andsaying,“Allthiswashing;butcatchontomytail,littleRoo,andyou’llbeallright”and,ChristopherRobinandRabbitcamehurryingpastEeyore,andwerecallingouttotheothersinfrontofthem.

“Allright,Roo,I’mcoming,”calledChristopherRobin.“Getsomethingacrossthestreamlowerdown,someofyoufellows,”called

Rabbit.ButPoohwasgettingsomething.TwopoolsbelowRoohewasstanding

withalongpoleinhispaws,andKangacameupandtookoneendofit,andbetweenthemtheyhelditacrossthelowerpartofthepool;andRoo,stillbubblingproudly,“Lookatmeswimming,”driftedupagainstit,andclimbedout.

“Didyouseemeswimming?”squeakedRooexcitedly,whileKangascoldedhimandrubbedhimdown.“Pooh,didyouseemeswimming?That’scalledswimming,whatIwasdoing.Rabbit,didyouseewhatIwasdoing?Swimming.Hallo,Piglet!Isay,Piglet!WhatdoyouthinkIwasdoing!Swimming!ChristopherRobin,didyouseeme—”

ButChristopherRobinwasn’tlistening.HewaslookingatPooh.“Pooh,”hesaid,“wheredidyoufindthatpole?”Poohlookedatthepoleinhishands.

“Ijustfoundit,”hesaid.“Ithoughtitoughttobeuseful.Ijustpickeditup.”“Pooh,”saidChristopherRobinsolemnly,“theExpeditionisover.Youhave

foundtheNorthPole!”“Oh!”saidPooh.Eeyorewassittingwithhistailinthewaterwhentheyallgotbacktohim.“TellRootobequick,somebody,”hesaid.“Mytail’sgettingcold.Idon’t

wanttomentionit,butIjustmentionit.Idon’twanttocomplainbutthereitis.Mytail’scold.”

“HereIam!”squeakedRoo.“Oh,thereyouare.”“Didyouseemeswimming?”Eeyoretookhistailoutofthewater,andswisheditfromsidetoside.“AsIexpected,”hesaid.“Lostallfeeling.Numbedit.That’swhatit’sdone.

Numbedit.Well,aslongasnobodyminds,Isupposeit’sallright.”“PooroldEeyore.I’lldryitforyou,”saidChristopherRobin,andhetook

outhishandkerchiefandrubbeditup.“Thankyou,ChristopherRobin.You’retheonlyonewhoseemsto

understandabouttails.Theydon’tthink—that’swhat’sthematterwithsomeoftheseothers.They’venoimagination.Atailisn’tatailtothem,it’sjustaLittleBitExtraattheback.”

“Nevermind,Eeyore,”saidChristopherRobin,rubbinghishardest.“Isthatbetter?”

“It’sfeelingmorelikeatailperhaps.ItBelongsagain,ifyouknowwhatImean.”

“Hullo,Eeyore,”saidPooh,cominguptothemwithhispole.“Hullo,Pooh.Thankyouforasking,butIshallbeabletouseitagainina

dayortwo.”“Usewhat?”saidPooh.“Whatwearetalkingabout.”“Iwasn’ttalkingaboutanything,”saidPooh,lookingpuzzled.“Mymistakeagain.Ithoughtyouweresayinghowsorryyouwereaboutmy

tail,beingallnumb,andcouldyoudoanythingtohelp?”“No,”saidPooh.“Thatwasn’tme,”hesaid.Hethoughtforalittleandthen

suggestedhelpfully,“Perhapsitwassomebodyelse.”“Well,thankhimformewhenyouseehim.”PoohlookedanxiouslyatChristopherRobin.“Pooh’sfoundtheNorthPole,”saidChristopherRobin.“Isn’tthatlovely?”Poohlookedmodestlydown.“Isthatit?”saidEeyore.“Yes,”saidChristopherRobin.“Isthatwhatwewerelookingfor?”“Yes,”saidPooh.“Oh!”saidEeyore.“Well,anyhow—itdidn’train,”hesaid.Theystuckthepoleintheground,andChristopherRobintiedamessageon

toit.

NORTHPOLEDISCOVEREDBYPOOH

POOHFOUNDIT.

Thentheyallwenthomeagain.AndIthink,butIamnotquitesure,thatRoohadahotbathandwentstraighttobed.ButPoohwentbacktohisownhouse,andfeelingveryproudofwhathehaddone,hadalittlesomethingtorevivehimself.

ChapterNine

INWHICH

PigletIsEntirelySurroundedbyWater

ITRAINEDanditrainedanditrained.Piglettoldhimselfthatneverinallhislife,andhewasgoodnessknowshowold—three,wasit,orfour?—neverhadheseensomuchrain.Daysanddaysanddays.

“Ifonly,”hethought,ashelookedoutofthewindow,“IhadbeeninPooh’shouse,orChristopherRobin’shouse,orRabbit’shousewhenitbegantorain,thenIshouldhavehadCompanyallthistime,insteadofbeinghereallalone,withnothingtodoexceptwonderwhenitwillstop.”AndheimaginedhimselfwithPooh,saying,“Didyoueverseesuchrain,Pooh?”andPoohsaying,“Isn’titawful,Piglet?”andPigletsaying,“IwonderhowitisoverChristopherRobin’sway”andPoohsaying,“IshouldthinkpooroldRabbitisaboutfloodedoutbythistime.”Itwouldhavebeenjollytotalklikethis,andreally,itwasn’tmuchgoodhavinganythingexcitinglikefloods,ifyoucouldn’tsharethemwithsomebody.

Foritwasratherexciting.ThelittledryditchesinwhichPiglethadnosedaboutsooftenhadbecomestreams,thelittlestreamsacrosswhichhehadsplashedwererivers,andtheriver,betweenwhosesteepbankstheyhadplayedsohappily,hadsprawledoutofitsownbedandwastakingupsomuchroomeverywhere,thatPigletwasbeginningtowonderwhetheritwouldbecomingintohisbedsoon.

“It’salittleAnxious,”hesaidtohimself,“tobeaVerySmallAnimalEntirelySurroundedbyWater.ChristopherRobinandPoohcouldescapebyClimbingTrees,andKangacouldescapebyJumping,andRabbitcouldescape

byBurrowing,andOwlcouldescapebyFlying,andEeyorecouldescapeby—byMakingaLoudNoiseUntilRescued,andhereamI,surroundedbywaterandIcan’tdoanything.”

Itwentonraining,andeverydaythewatergotalittlehigher,untilnowitwasnearlyuptoPiglet’swindow…andstillhehadn’tdoneanything.

“There’sPooh,”hethoughttohimself.“Poohhasn’tmuchBrain,buthenevercomestoanyharm.Hedoessillythingsandtheyturnoutright.There’sOwl.Owlhasn’texactlygotBrain,butheknowsThings.HewouldknowtheRightThingtoDowhenSurroundedbyWater.There’sRabbit.Hehasn’tLearntinBooks,buthecanalwaysThinkofaCleverPlan.There’sKanga.Sheisn’tClever,Kangaisn’t,butshewouldbesoanxiousaboutRoothatshewoulddoaGoodThingtoDowithoutthinkingaboutit.Andthenthere’sEeyore.AndEeyoreissomiserableanyhowthathewouldn’tmindaboutthis.ButIwonderwhatChristopherRobinwoulddo?”

ThensuddenlyherememberedastorywhichChristopherRobinhadtoldhimaboutamanonadesertislandwhohadwrittensomethinginabottleandthrownitinthesea;andPigletthoughtthatifhewrotesomethinginabottleandthrewitinthewater,perhapssomebodywouldcomeandrescuehim!

Heleftthewindowandbegantosearchhishouse,allofitthatwasn’tunderwater,andatlasthefoundapencilandasmallpieceofdrypaper,andabottlewithacorktoit.Andhewroteononesideofthepaper:

withacorktoit.Andhewroteononesideofthepaper:HELP!

PIGLET(ME)

andontheotherside:

IT’SMEPIGLET,HELPHELP.

Thenheputthepaperinthebottle,andhecorkedthebottleupastightlyashecould,andheleantoutofhiswindowasfarashecouldleanwithoutfallingin,andhethrewthebottleasfarashecouldthrow—splash!—andinalittlewhileitbobbedupagainonthewater;andhewatcheditfloatingslowlyawayinthedistance,untilhiseyesachedwithlooking,andsometimeshethoughtitwasthebottle,andsometimeshethoughtitwasjustarippleonthewaterwhichhewasfollowing,andthensuddenlyheknewthathewouldneverseeitagainandthathehaddoneallthathecoulddotosavehimself.

“Sonow,”hethought,“somebodyelsewillhavetodosomething,andIhopetheywilldoitsoon,becauseiftheydon’tIshallhavetoswim,whichIcan’t,soIhopetheydoitsoon.”Andthenhegaveaverylongsighandsaid,“IwishPoohwerehere.It’ssomuchmorefriendlywithtwo.”

WhentherainbeganPoohwasasleep.Itrained,anditrained,anditrained,andhesleptandhesleptandheslept.Hehadhadatiringday.YourememberhowhediscoveredtheNorthPole;well,hewassoproudofthisthatheaskedChristopherRobiniftherewereanyotherPolessuchasaBearofLittleBrainmightdiscover.

“There’saSouthPole,”saidChristopherRobin,“andIexpectthere’sanEastPoleandaWestPole,thoughpeopledon’tliketalkingaboutthem.”

Poohwasveryexcitedwhenheheardthis,andsuggestedthattheyshouldhaveanExpotitiontodiscovertheEastPole,butChristopherRobinhadthoughtofsomethingelsetodowithKanga;soPoohwentouttodiscovertheEastPolebyhimself.Whetherhediscovereditornot,Iforget;buthewassotiredwhenhe

byhimself.Whetherhediscovereditornot,Iforget;buthewassotiredwhenhegothomethat,intheverymiddleofhissupper,afterhehadbeeneatingforlittlemorethanhalf-an-hour,hefellfastasleepinhischair,andsleptandsleptandslept.

Thensuddenlyhewasdreaming.HewasattheEastPole,anditwasaverycoldpolewiththecoldestsortofsnowandicealloverit.Hehadfoundabeehivetosleepin,buttherewasn’troomforhislegs,sohehadleftthemoutside.AndWildWoozles,suchasinhabittheEastPole,cameandnibbledallthefuroffhislegstomakenestsfortheirYoung.Andthemoretheynibbled,thecolderhislegsgot,untilsuddenlyhewokeupwithanOw!—andtherehewas,sittinginhischairwithhisfeetinthewater,andwaterallroundhim!

Hesplashedtohisdoorandlookedout….“ThisisSerious,”saidPooh.“ImusthaveanEscape.”Sohetookhislargestpotofhoneyandescapedwithittoabroadbranchof

histree,wellabovethewater,andthenheclimbeddownagainandescapedwithanotherpot…andwhenthewholeEscapewasfinished,therewasPoohsittingonhisbranch,danglinghislegs,andthere,besidehim,weretenpotsofhoney….

Twodayslater,therewasPooh,sittingonhisbranch,danglinghislegs,andthere,besidehim,werefourpotsofhoney….

Threedayslater,therewasPooh,sittingonhisbranch,danglinghislegs,andthere,besidehim,wasonepotofhoney.

Fourdayslater,therewasPooh…AnditwasonthemorningofthefourthdaythatPiglet’sbottlecame

floatingpasthim,andwithoneloudcryof“Honey!”Poohplungedintothewater,seizedthebottle,andstruggledbacktohistreeagain.

“Bother!”saidPooh,asheopenedit.“Allthatwetfornothing.What’sthatbitofpaperdoing?”

Hetookitoutandlookedatit.“It’saMissage,”hesaidtohimself,“that’swhatitis.Andthatletterisa‘P,’

andsoisthat,andsoisthat,and‘P’means‘Pooh,’soit’saveryimportantMissagetome,andIcan’treadit.ImustfindChristopherRobinorOwlorPiglet,oneofthoseCleverReaderswhocanreadthings,andtheywilltellmewhatthismissagemeans.OnlyIcan’tswim.Bother!”

Thenhehadanidea,andIthinkthatforaBearofVeryLittleBrain,itwasagoodidea.Hesaidtohimself:“Ifabottlecanfloat,thenajarcanfloat,andifajarfloats,Icansitonthetopofit,ifit’saverybigjar.”

Sohetookhisbiggestjar,andcorkeditup.“Allboatshavetohaveaname,”hesaid,“soIshallcallmineTheFloatingBear.”Andwiththesewordshedroppedhisboatintothewaterandjumpedinafterit.

ForalittlewhilePoohandTheFloatingBearwereuncertainastowhichofthemwasmeanttobeonthetop,butaftertryingoneortwodifferentpositions,theysettleddownwithTheFloatingBearunderneathandPoohtriumphantlyastrideit,paddlingvigorouslywithhisfeet.

ChristopherRobinlivedattheverytopoftheForest.Itrained,anditrained,anditrained,butthewatercouldn’tcomeuptohishouse.Itwasratherjollytolookdownintothevalleysandseethewaterallroundhim,butitrainedsohardthathestayedindoorsmostofthetime,andthoughtaboutthings.Everymorninghewentoutwithhisumbrellaandputastickintheplacewherethewatercameupto,andeverynextmorninghewentoutandcouldn’tseehisstickanymore,soheputanotherstickintheplacewherethewatercameupto,andthenhewalkedhomeagain,andeachmorninghehadashorterwaytowalkthanhehadhadthemorningbefore.Onthemorningofthefifthdayhesawthewaterallroundhim,andknewthatforthefirsttimeinhislifehewasonarealisland.Whichwasveryexciting.

ItwasonthismorningthatOwlcameflyingoverthewatertosay“Howdoyoudo,”tohisfriendChristopherRobin.

“Isay,Owl,”saidChristopherRobin,“isn’tthisfun?I’monanisland!”“Theatmosphericconditionshavebeenveryunfavourablelately,”saidOwl.“Thewhat?”“Ithasbeenraining,”explainedOwl.“Yes,”saidChristopherRobin.“Ithas.”“Theflood-levelhasreachedanunprecedentedheight.”“Thewho?”“There’salotofwaterabout,”explainedOwl.“Yes,”saidChristopherRobin,“thereis.”“However,theprospectsarerapidlybecomingmorefavourable.Atany

“However,theprospectsarerapidlybecomingmorefavourable.Atanymoment—”

“HaveyouseenPooh?”“No.Atanymoment—”“Ihopehe’sallright,”saidChristopherRobin.“I’vebeenwonderingabout

him.IexpectPiglet’swithhim.Doyouthinkthey’reallright,Owl?”“Iexpectso.Yousee,atanymoment—”“Dogoandsee,Owl.BecausePoohhasn’tgotverymuchbrain,andhe

mightdosomethingsilly,andIdolovehimso,Owl.Doyousee,Owl?”“That’sallright,”saidOwl.“I’llgo.Backdirectly.”Andheflewoff.

Inalittlewhilehewasbackagain.“Poohisn’tthere,”hesaid.“Notthere?”“Hasbeenthere.He’sbeensittingonabranchofhistreeoutsidehishouse

withninepotsofhoney.Butheisn’ttherenow.”“Oh,Pooh!”criedChristopherRobin.“Whereareyou?”“HereIam,”saidagrowlyvoicebehindhim.“Pooh!”Theyrushedintoeachother’sarms.“Howdidyougethere,Pooh?”askedChristopherRobin,whenhewasready

totalkagain.“Onmyboat,”saidPoohproudly.“IhadaVeryImportantMissagesentme

inabottle,andowingtohavinggotsomewaterinmyeyes,Icouldn’treadit,soIbroughtittoyou.Onmyboat.”

WiththeseproudwordshegaveChristopherRobinthemissage.

WiththeseproudwordshegaveChristopherRobinthemissage.“Butit’sfromPiglet!”criedChristopherRobinwhenhehadreadit.“Isn’tthereanythingaboutPoohinit?”askedBear,lookingoverhis

shoulder.ChristopherRobinreadthemessagealoud.“Oh,arethose‘P’s’Piglets?IthoughttheywerePoohs.”“Wemustrescuehimatonce!Ithoughthewaswithyou,Pooh.Owl,could

yourescuehimonyourback?”“Idon’tthinkso,”saidOwl,aftergravethought.“Itisdoubtfulifthe

necessarydorsalmuscles—”“ThenwouldyouflytohimatonceandsaythatRescueisComing?And

PoohandIwillthinkofaRescueandcomeasquickaseverwecan.Oh,don’ttalk,Owl,goonquick!”And,stillthinkingofsomethingtosay,Owlflewoff.

“Nowthen,Pooh,”saidChristopherRobin,“where’syourboat?”“Ioughttosay,”explainedPoohastheywalkeddowntotheshoreofthe

island,“thatitisn’tjustanordinarysortofboat.Sometimesit’saBoat,andsometimesit’smoreofanAccident.Italldepends.”

“Dependsonwhat?”“OnwhetherI’monthetopofitorunderneathit.”“Oh!Well,whereisit?”“There!”saidPooh,pointingproudlytoTheFloatingBear.Itwasn’twhatChristopherRobinexpected,andthemorehelookedatit,the

morehethoughtwhataBraveandCleverBearPoohwas,andthemoreChristopherRobinthoughtthis,themorePoohlookedmodestlydownhisnoseandtriedtopretendhewasn’t.

“Butit’stoosmallfortwoofus,”saidChristopherRobinsadly.“ThreeofuswithPiglet.”“Thatmakesitsmallerstill.Oh,PoohBear,whatshallwedo?”AndthenthisBear,PoohBear,Winniethe-Pooh,F.O.P.(FriendofPiglet’s),

R.C.(Rabbit’sCompanion),P.D.(PoleDiscoverer),E.C.andT.F.(Eeyore’sComforterandTail-finder)—infact,Poohhimself—saidsomethingsocleverthatChristopherRobincouldonlylookathimwithmouthopenandeyesstaring,wonderingifthiswasreallytheBearofVeryLittleBrainwhomhehadknownandlovedsolong.

“Wemightgoinyourumbrella,”saidPooh.“?”“Wemightgoinyourumbrella,”saidPooh.“??”“Wemightgoinyourumbrella,”saidPooh.“!!!!!!”

“!!!!!!”ForsuddenlyChristopherRobinsawthattheymight.Heopenedhis

umbrellaandputitpointdownwardsinthewater.Itfloatedbutwobbled.Poohgotin.Hewasjustbeginningtosaythatitwasallrightnow,whenhefoundthatitwasn’t,soafterashortdrinkwhichhedidn’treallywanthewadedbacktoChristopherRobin.Thentheybothgotintogether,anditwobblednolonger.

“IshallcallthisboatTheBrainofPooh,”saidChristopherRobin,andTheBrainofPoohsetsailforthwithinasouth-westerlydirection,revolvinggracefully.

YoucanimaginePiglet’sjoywhenatlasttheshipcameinsightofhim.Inafter-yearshelikedtothinkthathehadbeeninVeryGreatDangerduringtheTerribleFlood,buttheonlydangerhehadreallybeeninwasinthelasthalf-hourofhisimprisonment,whenOwl,whohadjustflownup,satonabranchofhistreetocomforthim,andtoldhimaverylongstoryaboutanauntwhohadoncelaidaseagull’seggbymistake,andthestorywentonandon,ratherlikethissentence,untilPigletwhowaslisteningoutofhiswindowwithoutmuchhope,wenttosleepquietlyandnaturally,slippingslowlyoutofthewindowtowardsthewateruntilhewasonlyhangingonbyhistoes,atwhichmomentluckily,asuddenloudsquawkfromOwl,whichwasreallypartofthestory,beingwhathisauntsaid,wokethePigletupandjustgavehimtimetojerkhimselfbackintosafetyandsay,“Howinteresting,anddidshe?”when—well,youcanimaginehisjoywhenatlasthesawthegoodship,TheBrainofPooh(Captain,C.Robin;1stMate,P.Bear)comingovertheseatorescuehim.

Andthatisreallytheendofthestory,andasIamverytiredafterthatlastsentence,IthinkIshallstopthere.

ChapterTen

INWHICH

ChristopherRobinGivesPoohaParty,andWeSayGood-bye

ONEDAYwhenthesunhadcomebackovertheForest,bringingwithitthescentofMay,andallthestreamsoftheForestweretinklinghappilytofindthemselvestheirownprettyshapeagain,andthelittlepoolslaydreamingofthelifetheyhadseenandthebigthingstheyhaddone,andinthewarmthandquietoftheForestthecuckoowastryingoverhisvoicecarefullyandlisteningtoseeifhelikedit,andwood-pigeonswerecomplaininggentlytothemselvesintheirlazycomfortablewaythatitwastheotherfellow’sfault,butitdidn’tmatterverymuch;onsuchadayasthisChristopherRobinwhistledinaspecialwayhehad,andOwlcameflyingoutoftheHundredAcreWoodtoseewhatwaswanted.

“Owl,”saidChristopherRobin,“Iamgoingtogiveaparty.”“Youare,areyou?”saidOwl.

“Andit’stobeaspecialsortofparty,becauseit’sbecauseofwhatPoohdidwhenhedidwhathedidtosavePigletfromtheflood.”

“Oh,that’swhatit’sfor,isit?”saidOwl.“Yes,sowillyoutellPoohasquicklyasyoucan,andalltheothers,because

itwillbetomorrow.”“Oh,itwill,willit?”saidOwl,stillbeingashelpfulaspossible.“Sowillyougoandtellthem,Owl?”Owltriedtothinkofsomethingverywisetosay,butcouldn’t,soheflewoff

totelltheothers.AndthefirstpersonhetoldwasPooh.“Pooh,”hesaid,“ChristopherRobinisgivingaparty.”“Oh!”saidPooh.AndthenseeingthatOwlexpectedhimtosaysomething

else,hesaid,“Willtherebethoselittlecakethingswithpinksugaricing?”Owlfeltthatitwasratherbeneathhimtotalkaboutlittlecakethingswith

pinksugaricing,sohetoldPoohexactlywhatChristopherRobinhadsaid,andflewofftoEeyore.

“ApartyforMe?”thoughtPoohtohimself.“Howgrand!”AndhebegantowonderifalltheotheranimalswouldknowthatitwasaspecialPoohParty,and

ifChristopherRobinhadtoldthemaboutTheFloatingBearandTheBrainofPoohandallthewonderfulshipshehadinventedandsailedon,andhebegantothinkhowawfulitwouldbeifeverybodyhadforgottenaboutit,andnobodyquiteknewwhatthepartywasfor;andthemorehethoughtlikethis,themorethepartygotmuddledinhismind,likeadreamwhennothinggoesright.Andthedreambegantosingitselfoverinhisheaduntilitbecameasortofsong.It

wasan

ANXIOUSPOOHSONG.

3CheersforPooh!(ForWho?)ForPooh(Whywhatdidhedo?)Ithoughtyouknew;Hesavedhisfriendfromawetting!3CheersforBear!(Forwhere?)ForBear—Hecouldn’tswim,Butherescuedhim!(Herescuedwho?)Oh,listen,do!IamtalkingofPooh—(Ofwho?)OfPooh!(I’msorryIkeepforgetting.)Well,PoohwasaBearofEnormousBrain

(Justsayitagain!)Ofenormousbrain—(Ofenormouswhat?)Well,heatealot,

AndIdon’tknowifhecouldswimornot,ButhemanagedtofloatOnasortofboat(Onasortofwhat?)Well,asortofpot—Sonowlet’sgivehimthree

heartycheers(Sonowlet’sgivehimthreeheartywhiches?)Andhopehe’llbewithusforyearsandyears,Andgrowinhealthandwisdomandriches!

3CheersforPooh!

(Forwho?)ForPooh—3CheersforBear!(Forwhere?)ForBear—3CheersforthewonderfulWinniethe-Pooh!(Justtellme,Somebody—WHATDIDHEDO?)

Whilethiswasgoingoninsidehim,OwlwastalkingtoEeyore.“Eeyore,”saidOwl,“ChristopherRobinisgivingaparty.”

“Veryinteresting,”saidEeyore.“Isupposetheywillbesendingmedowntheoddbitswhichgottroddenon.KindandThoughtful.Notatall,don’tmentionit.”

“ThereisanInvitationforyou.”“What’sthatlike?”“AnInvitation!”

“Yes,Iheardyou.Whodroppedit?”“Thisisn’tanythingtoeat,it’saskingyoutotheparty.Tomorrow.”Eeyoreshookhisheadslowly.“YoumeanPiglet.Thelittlefellowwiththeexcitedears.That’sPiglet.I’ll

tellhim.”“No,no!”saidOwl,gettingquitefussy.“It’syou!”

“No,no!”saidOwl,gettingquitefussy.“It’syou!”“Areyousure?”“OfcourseI’msure.ChristopherRobinsaid‘Allofthem!Tellallofthem.’”“Allofthem,exceptEeyore?”“Allofthem,”saidOwlsulkily.“Ah!”saidEeyore.“Amistake,nodoubt,butstill,Ishallcome.Onlydon’t

blamemeifitrains.”Butitdidn’train.ChristopherRobinhadmadealongtableoutofsomelong

piecesofwood,andtheyallsataroundit.ChristopherRobinsatatoneend,andPoohsatattheother,andbetweenthemononesidewereOwlandEeyoreandPiglet,andbetweenthemontheothersidewereRabbit,andRooandKanga.AndallRabbit’sfriends-and-relationsspreadthemselvesaboutonthegrass,andwaitedhopefullyincaseanybodyspoketothem,ordroppedanything,oraskedthemthetime.

ItwasthefirstpartytowhichRoohadeverbeen,andhewasveryexcited.Assoonasevertheyhadsatdownhebegantotalk.

“Hallo,Pooh!”hesqueaked.“Hallo,Roo!”saidPooh.Roojumpedupanddowninhisseatforalittlewhileandthenbeganagain.“Hallo,Piglet!”hesqueaked.Pigletwavedapawathim,beingtoobusytosayanything.“Hallo,Eeyore!”saidRoo.Eeyorenoddedgloomilyathim.“Itwillrainsoon,youseeifitdoesn’t,”he

said.

Roolookedtoseeifitdidn’t,anditdidn’t,sohesaid“Hallo,Owl!”—andOwlsaid“Hallo,mylittlefellow,”inakindlyway,andwentontellingChristopherRobinaboutanaccidentwhichhadnearlyhappenedtoafriendofhiswhomChristopherRobindidn’tknow,andKangasaidtoRoo,“Drinkupyourmilkfirst,dear,andtalkafterwards.”SoRoo,whowasdrinkinghismilk,triedtosaythathecoulddobothatonce…andhadtobepattedonthebackanddriedforquitealongtimeafterwards.

Whentheyhadallnearlyeatenenough,ChristopherRobinbangedonthe

Whentheyhadallnearlyeatenenough,ChristopherRobinbangedonthetablewithhisspoon,andeverybodystoppedtalkingandwasverysilent,exceptRoowhowasjustfinishingaloudattackofhiccupsandtryingtolookasifitwasoneofRabbit’srelations.

“Thisparty,”saidChristopherRobin,“isapartybecauseofwhatsomeonedid,andweallknowwhoitwas,andit’shisparty,becauseofwhathedid,andI’vegotapresentforhimandhereitis.”Thenhefeltaboutalittleandwhispered,“Whereisit?”

Whilehewaslooking,Eeyorecoughedinanimpressivewayandbegantospeak.

“Friends,”hesaid,“includingoddments,itisagreatpleasure,orperhapsIhadbettersayithasbeenapleasuresofar,toseeyouatmyparty.WhatIdidwasnothing.Anyofyou—exceptRabbitandOwlandKanga—wouldhavedonethesame.Oh,andPooh.Myremarksdonot,ofcourse,applytoPigletandRoo,becausetheyaretoosmall.Anyofyouwouldhavedonethesame.ButitjusthappenedtobeMe.Itwasnot,Ineedhardlysay,withanideaofgettingwhatChristopherRobinislookingfornow”—andheputhisfrontlegtohismouthandsaidinaloudwhisper,“Tryunderthetable”—“thatIdidwhatIdid—butbecauseIfeelthatweshouldalldowhatwecantohelp.Ifeelthatweshouldall—”

“H—hup!”saidRooaccidentally.“Roo,dear!”saidKangareproachfully.“Wasitme?”askedRoo,alittlesurprised.“What’sEeyoretalkingabout?”PigletwhisperedtoPooh.“Idon’tknow,”saidPoohratherdolefully.“Ithoughtthiswasyourparty.”

“Ithoughtitwasonce.ButIsupposeitisn’t.”“I’dsooneritwasyoursthanEeyore’s,”saidPiglet.“SowouldI,”saidPooh.“H—hup!”saidRooagain.“AS—I—WAS—SAYING,”saidEeyoreloudlyandsternly,“asIwas

sayingwhenIwasinterruptedbyvariousLoudSounds,Ifeelthat—”“Hereitis!”criedChristopherRobinexcitedly.“Passitdowntosillyold

Pooh.It’sforPooh.”“ForPooh?”saidEeyore.“Ofcourseitis.Thebestbearinalltheworld.”“Imighthaveknown,”saidEeyore.“Afterall,onecan’tcomplain.Ihave

myfriends.Somebodyspoketomeonlyyesterday.AndwasitlastweekortheweekbeforethatRabbitbumpedintomeandsaid‘Bother!’TheSocialRound.Alwayssomethinggoingon.”

Nobodywaslistening,fortheywereallsaying“Openit,Pooh,”“Whatisit,Pooh?”“Iknowwhatitis,”“No,youdon’t”andotherhelpfulremarksofthissort.AndofcoursePoohwasopeningitasquicklyaseverhecould,butwithoutcuttingthestring,becauseyouneverknowwhenabitofstringmightbeUseful.Atlastitwasundone.

WhenPoohsawwhatitwas,henearlyfelldown,hewassopleased.ItwasaSpecialPencilCase.Therewerepencilsinitmarked“B”forBear,andpencilsmarked“HB”forHelpingBear,andpencilsmarked“BB”forBraveBear.Therewasaknifeforsharpeningthepencils,andindia-rubberforrubbingoutanythingwhichyouhadspeltwrong,andarulerforrulinglinesforthewordstowalkon,andinchesmarkedontherulerincaseyouwantedtoknowhowmanyinchesanythingwas,andBluePencilsandRedPencilsandGreenPencilsforsayingspecialthingsinblueandredandgreen.AndalltheselovelythingswereinlittlepocketsoftheirowninaSpecialCasewhichshutwithaclickwhenyouclickedit.AndtheywereallforPooh.

“Oh!”saidPooh.“Oh,Pooh!”saideverybodyelseexceptEeyore.

“Oh,Pooh!”saideverybodyelseexceptEeyore.“Thank-you,”growledPooh.ButEeyorewassayingtohimself,“Thiswritingbusiness.Pencilsandwhat-

not.Over-rated,ifyouaskme.Sillystuff.Nothinginit.”Lateron,whentheyhadallsaid“Good-bye”and“Thank-you”to

ChristopherRobin,PoohandPigletwalkedhomethoughtfullytogetherinthegoldenevening,andforalongtimetheyweresilent.

“Whenyouwakeupinthemorning,Pooh,”saidPigletatlast,“what’sthefirstthingyousaytoyourself?”

“What’sforbreakfast,”saidPooh.“Whatdoyousay,Piglet?”

“Isay,Iwonderwhat’sgoingtohappenexcitingtoday?”saidPiglet.Poohnoddedthoughtfully.“It’sthesamething,”hesaid.

“Andwhatdidhappen?”askedChristopherRobin.“When?”“Nextmorning.”“Idon’tknow.”“CouldyouthinkandtellmeandPoohsometime?”“Ifyouwanteditverymuch.”“Poohdoes,”saidChristopherRobin.Hegaveadeepsigh,pickedhisbearupbythelegandwalkedofftothe

door,trailingWinniethe-Poohbehindhim.Atthedoorheturnedandsaid“Comingtoseemehavemybath?”

“Imight,”Isaid.“WasPooh’spencilcaseanybetterthanmine?”“Itwasjustaboutthesame,”Isaid.Henoddedandwentout…andinamomentIheardWinniethe-Pooh—bump,

bump,bump—goingupthestairsbehindhim.

A.A.MILNE(1882–1956)beganhiswritingcareerasahumoristforPunchmagazine,andalsowroteplaysandpoetry.In1926,hepublishedhisfirststoriesaboutWinniethe-Pooh,whichwereaninstantsuccess.Sincethen,Poohhasbecomeaworld-famousbear,andMilne’sstorieshavebeentranslatedintofiftylanguages.

ERNESTH.SHEPARD(1879–1976)wonascholarshiptotheRoyalAcademySchools,andlater,likeMilne,workedforPunchmagazine,asacartoonistandillustrator.Shepard’swittyandlovingillustrationsofWinniethe-PoohandhisfriendsintheHundredAcreWoodhavebecomeaninseparablepartofthePoohstories,andtheyhavebecomeclassicsintheirownright.