Ernest Shepard from The House at Pooh Corner
From In which Christopher Robin and Pooh come to an enchanted place, and we leave them there, in The House at Pooh Corner by A.A.Milne.
“Pooh, when I’m - you know – when I’m not doing Nothing, will you come up here sometimes?”
“Just Me?”
“Yes, Pooh.”
“Will you be here too?”
“Yes, Pooh, I will be really. I promise I will be, Pooh.”
‘That’s good,” said Pooh.
“Pooh, promise me you won’t forget about me, ever. Not even when I am 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.
So they went off together. But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.
* * *
I don’t know why…pregnancy hormones, perhaps…but reading this chapter, the final chapter in the collection of Pooh stories, to Elka the other night, I began to cry. My chest constricted, and as I read, I fought back the tears, until I couldn’t contain them and I was sobbing like I haven’t sobbed in years. Elka sat closer, one hand on my arm, her big brown eyes focused on me intently. Mama, are you OK? she asked. Do you need Dew Tea* to make you feel better? I couldn’t stop. She, Pooh, Christopher Robin, the book, everything. I couldn’t stop.
What was it, other than the pregnancy hormones that made me cry so?
I have been thinking about it ever since.
Perhaps is was just the pregnancy hormones.
But perhaps, it was the end of Winnie-the-Pooh & The House at Pooh Corner, only my favourite storybook ever written. I had never read this far into the collection of Pooh stories, so perhaps I was taken aback that it actually did end at some point…that those stories didn’t somehow miraculously continue into infinity, like I somehow imagined they would. All things, even the best thing, must end. Maybe this is why I couldn’t hold back tears.
Perhaps it was because every time the relationship between Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh is referred to, I well up. To me, their friendship and their love for each other is so perfect. Well, you laughed to yourself, “Silly old Bear!” but you didn’t say it aloud because you were so fond of him, and you went home for your umbrella. Their friendship is built on trust and respect. On affection. On warmth. Maybe this is why I cried.
Perhaps it was because, behind the words of this final Pooh Bear chapter, lies a metaphor. A metaphor that represents ageing, and the leaving behind of childhood. The fact that imagination and childish dreams and the desire to do Nothing can’t continue forever, and we must all at some point enter the land of Reality. It is only on visiting our Enchanted Place that we can return to our childhood imaginations, like visiting an old friend for a cup of tea and realising that your friendship will never be as it was when you were young. Maybe I cried because, at some point, we all have to grow up.
Or, perhaps it was just the pregnancy hormones.
Am I the only one in the world who loves Winnie the Pooh this much? What about you? Will you join me? And do you ever cry like a hungry and under-slept toddler when reading a children’s book out-loud?
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{linking with Grace for Flog Your Blog Friday and Bree for Flash Friday at Twinkle In The Eye}
*Dew Tea refers to the bottle of warm milk and water that Elka drinks, lying on our laps, touching our face. Her comfort.
I seemed to have skipped right over the Pooh stories with my son. Never even thought about them. I may have to right that with my daughter. They are lovely stories.
The Giving Tree has been know to move me to tears. It’s my son’s favorite.
I hope that you and your hormones are better today.
Thanks Joyce. I will have to look for The Giving Tree. Yes, hormones seem to be OK today… X
I miss read the title and thought this post was going to be about an enchanted plate! I totally get it – there are often things about having young children that make me cry, watching them grow up can be bitter sweet. I never really got in to Pooh but G loves him, and I can see why.
Another beautiful post Zanni! x
Thank you Catherine. I guess the books we get into a largely influenced with what we grew up with, as well. x
We may have to leave childhood behind, but that is one of the good things about having our own children – so that we can revisit it. (I’m currently reading Folk of the Faraway Tree to my little boy at the moment, and it’s amazing to see him hear it for the first time
I love Enid Blighton (gosh, I can’t think how to spell her name now!) The stories are also so magical.
I was reading Peter Rabbit to my son the last night and felt a similar way to you Zanni. When he started to recite the words a got a little tear. I never really got into Winnie the Pooh, having a name like Prue meant that I had a hate relationship with the word Poo.
Prue x
I can see that, Prue. Peter Rabbit is also so beautiful. We visited the Lake District when we were kids, and I have all those beautiful images in my mind when I read Peter Rabbit. x
I love this! You had me tearing up and I have nada pregnancy hormones flowing through me. Such beautiful writing and thoughtful reflection. Congrats and look forward to being here more often.
Thanks for stopping by Teagan’s Travels. I so hope you will link up on my Tuesday Destination: Inspiration link up or Friday’s ongoing Compassion International link up!
Blessings, Michelle
Thanks Michelle! I will definitely head over to those link-ups. xx
I love your daughter’s reaction
. I’m going to put Pooh on my to read list x
Oh, bless, Zanni!
I used to read “Are You My Mother?” to my little kindergarten students in Japan and I would get so into the book, I would have to hold back the tears on many occasions. And this was waaaaay before kids!
The twinlets have the Winnie-The-Pooh collection as a present from their uncle. I’m looking at it right now, tempted to start reading it.
Pregnancy hormones or not, you have a beautiful soul.
Thanks Grace! I loved “Are you my mother?” when I was a child. I remember them reading it on Playschool.
I never really got into Pooh Bear – therefore neither did my Billies..I can see why you were emotional re-reading it though!!
These books signify my childhood to me. My father used to read them to me at bedtime so my emotional side is there too! x
What a lovely post, tears, hormones and all. Love Pooh