Thursday extracts. A hum by Pooh.

"Pooh," said Piglet reproachfully, "haven't you been listening to what Rabbit was saying?"

"I listened, but I had a small piece of fluff in my ear. Could you say it again, please, Rabbit?"

Rabbit never minded saying things again, so he asked where he should begin from; and when Pooh had said from the moment when the fluff got in his ear, and Rabbit had asked when that was, and Pooh had said he didn't know because he hadn't heard properly, Piglet settled it all by saying that what they were trying to do was, they were just trying to think of a way to get the bounces out of Tigger, because however much you liked him, you couldn't deny it, he did bounce.

"Oh, I see," said Pooh.

"There's too much of him," said Rabbit, "that's what it comes to."

Pooh tried to think, and all he could think of was something which didn't help at all. So he hummed it very

quietly to himself.

If Rabbit

Was bigger

And fatter

And stronger,

Or bigger

Than Tigger,

If Tigger was smaller,

Then Tigger's bad habit

Of bouncing at Rabbit

Would matter

No longer,

If Rabbit

Was taller.

"What was Pooh saying?" asked Rabbit. "Any good?"

"No," said Pooh sadly. "No good."

*********

When Tigger arrives in the 100 Acre Wood the rest of the animals decide that he is too bouncy and he must be unbounced for everyone's good. Pooh is a little distracted when it comes to drawing up a plan.

A A Milne has been a favourite since I was very young. Winnie the Pooh appeals to all ages and I have grown more appreciative as I've got older. I've known this hum by heart since I was about seven.