Post XCII

In which I, the A.A. Milne "wish-I-could-be", discusses my recent rediscovery of his fabulous books

  When my parents moved they were unable to take all of their books to the new house. I was given the opportunity to peruse the "leftovers" and take what I wanted/had space for. I found several little treasures and among them was a couple rather well loved old books by A.A. Milne. I was delighted and commenced reading them almost immediately to my children.... I either hadn't noticed before, or had forgotten, just what fun could be had within the covers of these books! For instance: there are things that are more important than your 2 times table or twice times eleven. Imagine that!  I love how the  characters each are so unique and so lovable, I find myself identifying with them..... "Hmmm, you know I really feel rather like Eeyore today (thought in my best British accent- though it isn't very good- because these stories somehow grow even more wonderful with a British accent......)  or "I think I am Pooh today.... a bear of very little brain". When I read about Owl, or Kanga, Tigger, etc..., they remind me of people I know or have met.... In fact, as I have been trying to come up with "blog names" for my family I thought of us each taking a character from these books.....and we may yet! 
 I also love that there is humor for all ages hidden within each of the stories.... My kids laugh at some parts and, if hubby happens to be home and listening, he and I laugh at others, of course there are also the little specialties that only the one reading will catch (spelling and such)- like a sort of extra reward for your efforts. One could probably prattle on for hours  on the little bits of wisdom found there, favorite stories, lines, humor, etc.... but for now I will leave you with a little quote that seems to perfectly describe how I often feel.....
  The background to the quote is this: Eeyore had been "bounced" and is floating down the river on his back. He is discovered by Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, and Roo, who are playing Pooh sticks, and want to do something to save him. Pooh comes up with an idea and it is implemented. Eeyore is saved but takes all the credit and makes Pooh feel rather bad, Piglet then tries to cheer him. Then comes my favorite lines in the book:  "Pooh began to feel a little more comfortable, because when you are a Bear of Very Little Brain, and Think of Things, you find sometimes that a Thing which seemed very Thingish inside you is quite different when it gets out into the open and has other people looking at it." 


 There is more that I could share but I will leave you with that little gem for now...... 

Oh, to have a Milne's gift with words!