Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart. (A.A. Milne)
We have added a new member to the farm gang, a seven week old kitten, who goes by the name of Pickles — Pickles, because she had truly ended up “in a pickle,” having to be rescued from a hollow tree by a human with kind hands and heart (and incidentally, a great blogger — find her at amyjschultz.com). Pickles eventually found her way to the farm, and following some tummy maladies, probably from ingesting too many hollow-tree-critters, she has settled into happily making friends, undeterred by the tough initiation rites of the farm gang.
Since I don’t believe in coincidences, and since I treasure those animals who find their way to me, I’m sure she’s here for a reason. Her beginnings made me think of Robin Hood, whose merry gang hung out in a hollow tree in Sherwood Forest, I think. And Robin Hood made me think of Pooh Bear because he and his buddies inhabited another woods, the 100 Acre Woods. And Pooh Bear made me think of friendship, and how some of my most wonderful friends have been, and are, animals. Bringing me back to Pickles’ arrival!
Loose associations aside, I cherish A.A. Milne’s beloved Winnie the Pooh, maybe more so since I discovered it in adulthood. Pooh is a Bear of Little Brain, but very great wisdom. He and his very small companion Piglet have one of the most wonderful friendships in literature. On this day, with Pickles snuggled onto my shoulder, I offer you some of the best stuff that will ever appear in this space, snippets from conversations between Pooh and Piglet.
“What day is it?” asked Pooh. “It’s Today,” squeaked Piglet “My favorite day,” said Pooh.
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Piglet noticed that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.
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“You’re braver than you believe and stronger than you think you are.”
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“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” (Pooh)
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“The things that make me different are the things that make me.” (Piglet)
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“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?” “What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?” “I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today,” said Piglet. Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “It’s the same thing,” he said.”
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” I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” (Pooh)
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“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.” (Pooh)
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“If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.” (Pooh)
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Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. “Pooh!” he whispered. “Yes, Piglet?” “Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw. “I just wanted to be sure of you.”
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“I don’t feel very much like Pooh today,” said Pooh. “There, there,” said Piglet. ” I’ll bring you some tea and honey until you do.”
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“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.”
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“When you are a Bear of Very Little Brain, and you Think 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.” (Pooh)
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“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying good-bye so hard.” (Pooh)
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“We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?” asked Piglet. “Even longer,” Pooh answered.
