For Lady Allison

An Honorary Resident of the Hunderd-Aker Wood

Chapter 1: A New Friend

It was a warm, sunny day in the Hunderd-Aker Wood, and Winnie-the-Pooh was sitting on a log outside his home, feeling a little eleven-o'clock-ish and wondering if it was time for Brunch yet.

Pooh had recently learned about Brunch and enjoyed it greatly, but didn't think much of the absence of Breakfast and Lunch. The obvious solution was to simply add Brunch in between — a Very Good Idea that Pooh thought was one of his all-time best.

Anyhow, there was Pooh on his log, when up the path came Christopher Robin.

"Hallo, Pooh," called Christopher Robin, "I have a visitor I want you to meet."

"Well… yes…. Er, hello there," said Pooh. The stranger looked vaguely familiar.

"This is Winter," said Christopher Robin. "He had to leave his old home and is looking for a new place to stay. I'm taking him 'round to meet everyone."

"Winter, this is Edward Bear — but we just call him Winnie-the-Pooh, or Pooh for short."

"Hello, Mr. Bear," said Winter. Pooh looked around behind him — no one had ever called him "Mr. Bear" before.

"Silly old bear," said Christopher Robin. "Winter is talking to you."

"Oh, well, of course," said Pooh. "Hello, Winter."

About this time, Pooh's rumbly tummy reminded him it was Brunch time. He wondered if he had enough hunny for everyone.

"I was just about to have a little Brunch. Do you like hunny, Winter?"

"I don't think I've ever had hunny," said Winter.

"I think Winter likes milk, Pooh," said Christopher Robin. "Maybe hunny mixed with milk."

So Pooh mixed hunny with milk for Winter, while he and Christopher Robin had hunny on little biscuits.

"This is really good," said Winter. "Where does hunny come from?"

"The problem is bees make their hives high up in trees," said Pooh. "And I don't climb very well."

"I'm very good at climbing," said Winter. "Maybe we could go hunny-hunting together — I'd climb while you waited below!"

Pooh thought that was a Strodinary Plan.

Just then, Pooh realized why Winter looked familiar. "Christopher Robin — Winter looks a bit like Tigger!" (Winter was what we might call a cat.)

"You're right, Pooh. Maybe they're related. We should go visit Tigger."

Chapter 2: At Piglet's

So they finished Brunch and set off. On the way, they came to Piglet's house — a very grand house in the middle of a beech-tree.

"Let's stop and see Piglet," said Christopher Robin.

They knocked. "Who's there?" said a squeaky little voice from inside.

"It's Pooh, and Christopher Robin, and a surprise."

Since it was Pooh, Piglet opened the door. As soon as Winter followed inside, Piglet squeaked and jumped behind Christopher Robin's legs.

"Who is that? He has sharp teeth and sharp claws and he's BIG!"

"It's alright, Piglet. This is our new friend Winter. He's very nice and friendly. Go and pet him — he likes that."

Piglet cautiously walked up and started to pet him. Suddenly Piglet squeaked, jumped two feet in the air, and ran right back behind Christopher Robin's legs.

"He GROWLED at me!! I thought he was going to EAT me."

"Silly Piglet — that wasn't a growl, it was a purr. Winter makes that sound when he's happy."

"I'm sorry if I frightened you, Mr. Piglet," said Winter.

"Well, I'm sorry for thinking you were going to eat me," said Piglet. And then Piglet petted Winter some more, and everything was fine.

"We're going to visit Tigger — we think he and Winter might be related. Would you like to come?"

Piglet thought an outing with Christopher Robin and Winter would be Great Fun.

Chapter 3: Roo and Piglet Ride

Off down the path they went. Soon they came to Kanga's house, and Piglet ran right inside.

"Roo! Roo! We have a new friend, and he PURRS!" (Piglet had decided Winter was really nice and fun.)

While Christopher Robin and Kanga talked, and Pooh wondered if it was close to Lunchtime, Piglet and Roo were busy snuggling with Winter on Kanga's couch, petting him and listening to him purr.

"Would you and Roo like to come to Tigger's?" asked Christopher Robin.

"That would be nice," said Kanga, "but we were about to have lunch. Maybe we should make up a picnic basket to take along." (Pooh was greatly in favor of this idea.)

"If we're walking more," said Winter, "maybe Piglet and Roo would like to ride on my back."

"Ooooh, ooooh — can I please, Mom?" said Roo.

So while Christopher Robin and Kanga made up the picnic basket, Winter and the two Very Small Persons went out to practice riding in the front yard.

Chapter 4: The Wisdom of Owl

Soon they were off again. On the way, they came upon Owl's tree, where Owl was napping on a branch. (Owl napped a LOT — he called it his "Thinking Time," but Pooh thought it was just Plain Sleeping.)

"Wake up, Owl! We have a new friend to meet."

"Harrumph — I was just thinking. What can I do for you?"

"We think Winter and Tigger might be related. If anyone would know, it would certainly be you," said Christopher Robin.

"Well, hmmm. Four legs, fur, sharp teeth… a tail," said Owl. "Yes — Tigger is a Felinus Tiggerus, and Winter is a Felinus Catticus. That makes them cousins."

"You and Tigger are Cuzzins!" cried Pooh. "Let's hurry to Tigger's Place!"

"Thank you, Mr. Owl. Would you like to come with us?" asked Winter.

"I believe I'll stay — I'm planning a hunt for tonight."

"Oh, I like to hunt also! Maybe we could hunt together sometime."

"Well, harrumph, yes. Stop by just after dark and we'll see," replied Owl.

Chapter 5: Eeyore's Tale

Everyone thanked Owl and continued down the path.

"Kanga, do you think it might be time for a snack?" asked Pooh.

"Not too much — you wouldn't want to spoil your appetite," replied Kanga. Pooh accepted a slightly smallish cracker.

And so they went on — Roo and Piglet riding on Winter's back; Christopher Robin and Kanga discussing the weather; and Pooh taking smallish bites, hoping the cracker might last until lunch.

Soon they came upon Eeyore, standing in the path looking quite woebegone.

"Hallo, Eeyore. How are you today?"

"Oh, you know. A problem here and there. I don't suppose you're here to see me."

"We're off to see Tigger. Would you like to come?" asked Christopher Robin.

"I can't go. I've gone and lost my tail again, and this time I can't find it."

"Our new friend Winter is a good hunter — maybe he could help find your tail!" cried Pooh.

"Probably not," grumbled Eeyore. "This time I think it's gone for good."

"I'd be glad to try, Mr. Eeyore. I really am a good hunter," said Winter.

"Well, if you want to waste your time, go right ahead," said Eeyore.

So Winter sniffed a bit to get a good Eeyore-scent, then began searching in ever-increasing circles. Everyone else sat down and had a snack (the Really Tiny Cracker had already disappeared).

After a bit, the group was surprised to see Winter coming up the road with Eeyore's tail gently cradled in his mouth.

Dropping it in front of Eeyore, Winter asked "Is this your tail?"

"Well, it might be… I expect it's not mine. Too much to hope for."

"Of course it's your tail, Eeyore! You should thank Winter for finding it."

"Yes, I suppose I should. Thank you, Winter. But now I expect you'll all want to play Pin-the-Tail."

"Dear Eeyore," said Christopher Robin, "I'll just put your tail back on myself, and then you can come with us to see Tigger."

Chapter 6: Off to Tigger's

And so down the path to Tigger's went our little band — Roo and Piglet playing with Winter; Kanga and Christopher Robin watching that no one strayed; Eeyore grumbling about why Tigger lived so far away; and Pooh keeping an eye on the picnic basket.

The merry band soon arrived at Tigger's. "Hallo, Tigger! We've come to visit, with a surprise for you!"

"Well, well — Hallo yourself! Who is this new member of the group I see?"

"This is Winter," said Pooh excitedly, "and we think he might be related to you! Owl says he is!"

"A very happy welcome to you, Winter," said Tigger, already beginning to bounce.

"Careful, Tigger!" cried Pooh, more worried about the picnic basket than anything else.

"Why don't we all go outside?" said Christopher Robin. "You and Winter can get acquainted, and both of you can bounce as much as you want."

"Oh," said Winter. "I think my bouncing days are behind me. My old legs just aren't what they used to be."

"Don't give up yet, Winter," said Christopher Robin. "The Wood has Very Special Powers. Give it a try."

So Winter tried a little bounce. Then a not-so-little bounce. Then a fairly large bounce. "I feel like a youngster!" cried Winter. And, after a bit, he and Tigger were bouncing all over the yard.

Kanga suggested the group go to Warm Rock, where they could look out over the river and have their picnic lunch. (Pooh thought this was a Wonderful Idea.)

So, off they went — Tigger and Winter bouncing along; Roo and Piglet trying to bounce but mostly tripping and falling; and Pooh keeping an eye on the picnic basket.

Having reached Warm Rock, Kanga and Christopher Robin laid out the picnic. Everyone gathered around, even Tigger and Winter who were both worn out. After eating their fill, everyone rested.

And, as Winter lay on Warm Rock surrounded by all his new friends, he decided that the Hunderd-Aker Wood would be a Very Nice Place to live.

The End

(Actually… Just A New Beginning)

"Oh bother, bother, and fiddle."

— Winnie-the-Pooh

On a warm spring afternoon, when he should have been out enjoying the Hundred-Acre Wood, Winnie-the-Pooh was sitting at his writing desk — humming a little, then grumbling a little.

He would scrunch up his face, tap his pencil on the table, grumble a bit more, then hum a little nothing tune. But though he was at his writing table, nothing seemed to be getting written.

"Oh bother, bother, and fiddle," said Pooh in a grumbly sort of voice. "I just can't seem to do this. But I told Christopher Robin I could, and that I would."

"I'm really good at Hugs, and at finding Hunny, and at going on Great Adventures — I even trapped a Heffalump once. But this is Really, Really Hard."

And poor little Pooh laid his head down on the table and seemed about ready to give up.

Peeking over his shoulder, we can see what he is laboring so hard over…

Poor Pooh had got stuck trying to think up a rhyme. So he went off to the cupboard to seek inspiration from his Hunny Jar.

It was a warm Spring day in the Hundred-Acre Wood, and Pooh was sitting on a log wondering if it was time for lunch yet, when Christopher Robin appeared around the bend.

"Hi, Pooh," said Christopher Robin. "I have exciting news! We've been invited to a Brunch!"

"Oh," said Pooh. "That's nice." Of course, poor Pooh had no idea what a "Brunch" was — and not wanting to admit this, he pretended not to be much impressed and looked off into the air.

"Yes, it will be really nice," said Christopher Robin. "We'll go right before we go to the Museum."

Pooh wasn't certain what "culture" was, but Owl said it was very valuable. Eeyore said it was greatly overrated. And Tigger just wanted to know if it could help him bounce better.

Then Pooh wrinkled his brow and said in a small little voice, "Uh, Christopher Robin… what exactly is a Brunch? And is it dangerous?"

"You sweet, silly little bear," said Christopher Robin. "A Brunch is just a special meal that you go to with special friends and eat special food and drink special drinks. It's not dangerous at all!"

"Oh, of course," said Pooh, waving a little paw to indicate he knew this all along.

"But," said Pooh, "remind me again about why it's called Brunch."

"Brunch is a combination of breakfast and lunch," said Christopher Robin. "You put the two words together and there you have it."

"Oh," said Pooh. "But… if you put breakfast and lunch — two meals — together and get Brunch, which is only one meal… what happens to breakfast and lunch?"

And there, Dear Reader, is the root of Pooh's dilemma.

Losing two meals out of the normal three in a day — even to gain a "special meal" — did not seem to Pooh much of a fair trade.

But Pooh trusted Christopher Robin very much, even in the matter of meals. So Pooh agreed to go to the Brunch, and to try not to let his tummy rumble at the museum.

And Christopher Robin suggested that Pooh write down his feelings about this Extraordinary Event. So Pooh returned to his writing desk.

Pooh's little tummy was now all filled with inspiration from the Hunny Jar. (There also seemed to be some inspiration on his chin.)

"I can do this, I can do this," Pooh mumbled to himself.

(At this point he noticed the inspiration on his chin, so Poohetry efforts halted for one more bit of a snack.)

"Everyone is counting on me — I can do this."

And the words started flowing from Pooh's pencil like Warm Hunny from a newly found Hunny Hive. And here is the finished piece of Poohetry:

The End

(And Pooh's tummy did not rumble. Much.)