I never owned nor read Winnie-the-Pooh before. I was introduced to Pooh late in life. Of course, I knew and heard of this adorable bear of little brain. But that was it. Until I watched the movie ‘Christopher Robin.’ It was a watershed moment for me. I became a Pooh convert. His easy and unassuming ways, and clever one-liners are what I enjoy the most. They are funny and profound. And, they make me ponder, and invariably smile.

I recently read Winnie-the-Pooh: The Complete Collection. It comprised “When We Were Very Young,” “Now We Are Six,” “Winnie-the-Pooh,” and “The House at Pooh Corner.” One of my many 60^th birthday presents from my husband. The first two books were A. A. Milne’s collection of poems. Having not read him before, it was a pleasant discovery particularly as I am not a poetry or verses sort of person. The second two were ten entertaining short stories each about Pooh’s adventures with his friends – Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Kanga, Roo, Owl, Rabbit and of course, Christopher Robin – in the Hundred Acre Wood. 

I liked them all. The poems and stories. Yes, they are children’s books. I know that’s the target audience but I did wonder though. The stories and drawings, children will very likely understand and enjoy. The quirkiness and subtext, I am not so sure. Hence, I am actually glad I read these clever and creative writings now, as an adult.

The poems and stories are infused with humour, irony and sarcasm. Engaging with lessons about friendship, adventure, empathy, arrogance and acceptance, and much more.  A.A. Milne’s writing is fluent and witty. The situations imaginative. The characters identifiable. The illustrations adorably spot-on. Thanks to E.M. Shepard.

To be honest, A. A. Milne had me at ‘Just before we begin’ – the introduction to “When We Were Very Young.”  Brilliant and tongue-in-cheek. The summary or overview set the tone of this collection of poems.   

For example:

‘You may wonder sometimes who is supposed to be saying the verses. Is it the author, that strange but uninteresting person, or is it Christopher Robin, or some other boy or girl, or Nurse, or Hoo? ...  If you are not quite sure, then it is probably Hoo. I don’t know if you have ever met Hoo, but he is one of those curious children who look four on Monday, and eight on Tuesday, and are really twenty-eight on Saturday; and you never know whether it is the day when he can pronounce his “r’s”.’

I mean, really. What are you supposed to make of that except chuckle and read on. Quickly. Which I did. The poems were not like what I imagined poems to be. These were funny and made sense, and were accompanied by delightful drawings. My favourites were ‘Nursery Chairs,’ ‘Disobedience,’ ‘Politeness,’ ‘Rice Pudding,’ ‘The King’s Breakfast,’ and ‘Teddy Bear.’

In the second book of poetry, “Now We Are Six,” I liked ‘Solitude,’ ‘Sneezles,’ ‘Binker,’ ‘Us Two,’ ‘The Good Little Girl,’ ‘Explained’ and ‘Waiting at the Window.’

For instance in ‘The Good Little Girl’:

… It’s always the end of the loveliest day: 
“Have you been a good girl?” 
“Have you been a good girl?” 
I went to the Zoo, and they waited to say: 
“Have you been a good girl?” 
“Have you been a good girl?” 
“Well, what did they think that I went there to do?” 
“And, why should I want to be bad at the Zoo?” 
“And, should I be likely to say if I had?” 
So that’s why it’s funny of Mummy and Dad, 
This, asking and asking, in case I was bad,
 “Well? 
Have you been a good girl, Jane?”

Winnie-the-Pooh was introduced in the “Winnie-the-Pooh” book. I learnt that he was originally known as Edward Bear. He got a name change after he asked Christopher Robin for an exciting moniker all to himself. Pooh was actually the name of a swan that Christopher once had. As for Winnie, it was the name of a brown and furry bear that Christopher Robin visited at London Zoo. Or the story goes….

This was at the start of Chapter 1:

When I first heard his name, I said (the author, I am assuming here), just as you are going to say, “But I thought he was a boy?” 
“So, did I,” said Christopher Robin. 
“Then you can’t call him Winnie?”
 “I don’t.” 
“But you said – ”
“He’s Winnie-ther-Pooh. Don’t you know what ‘ther’ mean?” 
“Ah, yes, now I do,” I said quickly; and I hope you do too, because it is all the explanation you are going to get.”

I laughed at the nonchalance, the nonsensical, and I wanted more of it.

In “The House at Pooh Corner,” I was hard pressed to choose my most favourite story as there were too many. That said, I thought the following conversation was so Pooh:

“Pooh, promise you won’t forget about me, ever. Not even when I’m a hundred.” 
Pooh thought for a little. 
“How old shall I be then?” 
“Ninety-nine.” 
Pooh nodded.
“I promise,” he said. 
Still with his eyes on the world Christopher Robin put out a hand and felt for Pooh’s paw. 
“Pooh,” said Christopher Robin earnestly, “if I – if I’m not quite –” he stopped and tried again – “Pooh, whatever happens, you will understand, won’t you?” 
“Understand what?” 
“Oh nothing.” He laughed and jumped to his feet. “Come on!” 
“Where?” said Pooh 
“Anywhere,” said Christopher Robin.

I understood. I found myself reading and re-reading out loud the many amusing yet perceptive words, sentences and paragraphs in this wonderful collection of poems and stories by A.A. Mine. For me, it was a delightful birthday treat.