Bedtime Tale: Winnie The Poo: Ch 7

Enjoy this bedtime tale to help you drift off into a peaceful slumber. Tonight we read, Winnie The Poo: Ch 7, by A.A. Milne. Chapter Seven describes Kanga and Roo's introduction to the forest and the trick Pooh, Rabbit, and Piglet play on them. This audio is perfect for children or adults who want to relax, discover magic, or find adventure before a great night's sleep.

Transcript

Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne Chapter Seven In which Kanga and Baby Roo come to the forest, And Piglet has a bath. Nobody seemed to know where they came from, But there they were in the forest, Kanga and Baby Roo. When Pooh asked Christopher Robin, How did they come here? Christopher Robin said, In the usual way, If you know what I mean, Pooh. And Pooh, Who didn't, Said, Oh. Then he nodded his head twice and said, In the usual way. Ah. Then he went to call upon his friend Piglet to see what he thought about it. And at his house he found Rabbit. So they all talked about it together. What I don't like about it is this, Said Rabbit. Here we are, You, Pooh, And you, Piglet, And me. And suddenly, And Eeyore, And Eeyore. And then suddenly, And Owl, And Owl. And then all of a sudden, Oh, And Eeyore. I was forgetting him. Here we are, Said Rabbit very slowly and carefully. All of us. And then suddenly we wake up one morning and what do we find? We find a strange animal among us. An animal of whom we've never even heard of before. An animal who carries her family about her, In her pocket? Suppose I carried my family about me, In my pocket. How many pockets should I want? Sixteen, Said Piglet. Seventeen, Isn't it? Said Rabbit. And one more for a handkerchief, That's eighteen. Eighteen pockets in one suit. I haven't time. There was a long and thoughtful silence. And then Pooh, Who'd been frowning very hard for some minutes, Said, I make it fifteen. What? Said Rabbit. Fifteen. Fifteen what? Your family. What about them? Pooh rubbed his nose and said that he thought Rabbit had been talking about his family. Did I? Said Rabbit carelessly. Yes, You said. Oh, Never mind, Pooh, Said Piglet impatiently. The question is, What are we to do about Kanga? Oh, I see, Said Pooh. The best way, Said Rabbit, Would be this. The best way would be to steal Baby Roo and hide him, And then when Kanga says, Where's Baby Roo? We say, Ah-ha. Ah-ha, Said Pooh practicing. Ah-ha. Ah-ha. Of course, He went on. We could say, Ah-ha, Even if we hadn't stolen Baby Roo. Pooh, Said Rabbit kindly. You haven't any brain. I know, Said Pooh humbly. We say, Ah-ha, So that Kanga knows that we know where Baby Roo is. Ah-ha means we'll tell you where Baby Roo is if you promise to go away from the forest and never come back. Now don't talk while I think. Pooh went into a corner and tried saying, Ah-ha, In that sort of voice. Sometimes it seemed to him that it did mean what Rabbit said, And sometimes it seemed to him that it didn't. I suppose it's just practice, He thought. I wonder if Kanga will have to practice too, So as to understand it. There's just one thing, Said Piglet fidgeting a bit. I was talking to Christopher Robin, And he said that a Kanga was generally regarded as one of the fiercer animals. I'm not frightened of fierce animals in the ordinary way, But it is well known that if one of the fiercer animals is deprived of its young, It becomes as fierce as two of the fiercer animals. In which case, Ah-ha is perhaps a foolish thing to say. Piglet said Rabbit, Taking out a pencil and licking the end of it. You haven't any pluck. It is hard to be brave, Said Piglet, Sniffling slightly, When you're only a very small animal. Rabbit, Who had begun to write very busily, Looked up and said, It is because you are very small that you will be useful in the adventure before us. Piglet was so excited at the idea of being useful that he forgot to be frightened anymore. And when Rabbit went on to say that Kangas were only fierce during the winter months, Being at other times of an affectionate disposition, He could hardly sit still. He was so eager to begin being useful at once. What about me, Said Pooh sadly. I suppose I shan't be useful. Never mind, Pooh, Said Piglet comfortingly. Another time, Perhaps. Without Pooh, Said Rabbit solemnly as he sharpened his pencil, The adventure would be impossible. Oh, Said Piglet, And tried not to look disappointed. But Pooh went into the corner of the room and said proudly to himself, Impossible without me, That sort of bear. Now listen, All of you, Said Rabbit when he had finished writing. And Pooh and Piglet sat listening very eagerly with their mouths open. This was what Rabbit read out. Plan to capture Baby Roo. Number one, General remarks. Kanga runs faster than any of us, Even me. Two, More general remarks. Kanga never takes her eyes off of Baby Roo, Except when he's safely buttoned up in her pocket. Three, Therefore, If we are to capture Baby Roo, We must get a long start because Kanga runs faster than any of us, Even me. Scene number one. Four, A thought. If Roo had jumped out of Kanga's pocket and Piglet had jumped in, Kanga wouldn't know the difference because Piglet is a very small animal. Five, Like Roo. Six, But Kanga would have to be looking the other way first so as not to see Piglet jumping in. Seven, Scene number two. Eight, Another thought. But if Pooh was talking to her very excitedly, She might look the other way for a moment. Nine, And then I could run away with Roo. Ten, Quickly. Eleven, And Kanga wouldn't discover the difference until afterwards. Well, Rabbit read this out proudly, And for a little while after he had read it, Nobody said anything. And then Piglet, Who had been opening and shutting his mouth without making any noise, Managed to say very huskily, And afterwards? How do you mean? When Kanga does discover the difference? Then we all say, Aha. All three of us? Yes. Oh. Why, What's the trouble, Piglet? Nothing, He said. As long as we all three say it. As long as we all three say it, I don't mind. But I shouldn't care to say aha by myself. It wouldn't sound nearly so well. By the way, He said, You were quite sure about what you said about the winter months. The winter months? Yes. Only being fierce in the winter months. Oh, Yes, Yes, That's all right. Well, Pooh, You see what you have to do? No, Not yet, He said. What do I do? Well, You just have to talk very hard to Kanga so she doesn't notice anything. Oh, About what? Anything you like. You mean like telling her a little bit of poetry or something? That's it, Said Rabbit. Splendid. Now come along. So they all went out to look for Kanga. Kanga and Roo were spending a quiet afternoon in a sandy part of the forest. Baby Roo was practicing very small jumps in the sand and falling down mouse holes and climbing out of them. And Kanga was fidgeting about and saying, Just one more jump, Dear, And then we must go home. And at that moment, Who should come stumping up the hill but Pooh? Good afternoon, Kanga. Good afternoon, Pooh. Look at me jumping, Squeaked Roo, And fell into another mouse hole. Hello, Roo, My little fellow. We were just going home, Said Kanga. Good afternoon, Rabbit. Good afternoon, Piglet. Rabbit and Piglet, Who had now come up from the other side of the hill, Said, Good afternoon and hello, Roo. And Roo asked them to look at him jumping. So they stayed and looked. And Kanga looked, Too. Oh, Kanga, Said Pooh, After Rabbit had winked at him twice. I don't know if you're interested in poetry at all. Hardly at all, Said Kanga. Oh, Said Pooh. Roo, Dear, Just one more jump, And then we must go home. There was a short silence while Roo fell down another mouse hole. Go on, Said Rabbit in a loud whisper behind his paw. Talking of poetry, Said Pooh, I made up a little piece as I was coming along. It went like this. Um, Now let me see. Fancy, Said Kanga. Now, Roo, Dear, You'll like this piece of poetry, Said Rabbit. You'll love it, Said Piglet. You must listen very carefully, Said Rabbit, So as not to miss any of it. Oh, Yes, Said Kanga. But she still looked at baby Roo. How did it go again, Pooh, Said Rabbit. Pooh gave a little cough and began. Lines written by a bear, A very little brain. On Monday, When the sun is hot, I wonder to myself a lot. Now it is true, Or it is not. That, What is which, And which is what. On Tuesday, When it hails and snows, The feeling on me grows and grows that hardly anybody knows if those are things, Or these are those. On Wednesday, When the sky is blue, And I have nothing else to do, I sometimes wonder if it's true that who is what, And what is who. On Thursday, When it starts to freeze, And hoarfrost twinkles on the trees, How very readily one sees that these are whose, But whose are these. On Friday, Yes it is, Isn't it, Said Kanga, Not waiting to hear what happened on Friday. Just one more jump, Roo dear, And then we really must be going. Rabbit gave Pooh a hurrying up sort of nudge. Talking of poetry, Said Pooh quickly, Have you ever noticed that tree right over there? Where, Said Kanga. Now, Roo, Right over there, He said, Pointing behind Kanga's back. No, Said Kanga. Now jump in, Roo dear, And we'll go home. You ought to look at that tree right over there, Said Rabbit. Shall I lift you in, Roo? And he picked up Roo in his paws. I can see a bird in it from here, Said Pooh. Or is it a fish? You ought to see that bird from here, Said Rabbit, Unless it's a fish. It isn't a fish, It's a bird, Said Piglet. So it is, Said Rabbit. Is it a starling or a blackbird? Asked Pooh. That's the whole question, Said Rabbit. Is it a blackbird or a starling? And then at last Kanga did turn her head to look, And at the moment that her head was turned, Rabbit said in a loud voice, In you go, Roo! And in jumped Piglet into Kanga's pocket and off scampered Rabbit with Roo in his paws as fast as he could. Why, Where's Rabbit? Said Kanga, Turning round again. Are you all right, Roo dear? Piglet made a squeaking Roo noise from the bottom of Kanga's pocket. Rabbit had to go away, Said Pooh. I think he ought to think of something he had to go and see about suddenly. And Piglet? I think Piglet thought of something at the same time. Suddenly. Well, We must be getting home, Said Kanga. Goodbye, Pooh. And in three large jumps, She was gone. Pooh looked after her as she went. I wish I could jump like that, He thought. Some can and some can't. That's how it is. But there were moments when Piglet wished that Kanga couldn't. Often when he had had a long walk home through the forest, He had wished that he were a bird. But now he thought jerkily to himself at the bottom of Kanga's pocket. If this is flying, I shall never really take to it. And as he went up in the air, He said, Ooh! And as he came down, He said, Ow! And he was saying, Ooh, Ow! All the way to Kanga's house. Of course, As soon as Kanga unbuttoned her pocket, She saw what had happened. Just for a moment, She thought she was frightened. And then she knew she wasn't, For she felt quite sure that Christopher Robin would never let any harm happen to Roo. So she said to herself, If they're having a joke with me, I will have a joke with them. Now then, Roo dear, She said, As she took Piglet out of her pocket. Bedtime. Aha, Said Piglet, As well as he could after his terrifying journey. But it wasn't a very good aha. And Kanga didn't seem to understand what it meant. Bath first, Said Kanga in a cheerful voice. Aha, Said Piglet again, Looking around anxiously for the others. But the others weren't there. Rabbit was playing with baby Roo in his own house and feeling more fond of him every minute. And Poo, Who had decided to be a Kanga, Was still at the sandy place on the top of the forest, Practicing jumps. I am not at all sure, Said Kanga in a thoughtful voice, That it wouldn't be a good idea to have a cold bath this evening. Would you like that, Roo dear? Piglet, Who has never really been fond of baths, Shuddered a long indignant shudder and said in a brave as voice as he could, Kanga, I see that the time has come to speak plainly. Funny little Roo, Said Kanga as she got the bath water ready. I am not Roo, Said Piglet loudly. I am Piglet. Yes, Dear, Yes, Said Kanga soothingly, And imitating Piglet's voice too. So clever of him, She went on, As she took a large bar of yellow soap out of the cupboard. What will he be doing next? Can't you see, Shouted Piglet. Haven't you got eyes? Look at me. I am looking, Roo dear, Said Kanga rather severely. And you know what I told you yesterday about making faces. If you go on making faces like Piglet's, You will grow up and look like Piglet, And then think how sorry you will be. Now then, Into the bath, And don't let me have to speak to you about it again. Before he knew where he was, Piglet was in the bath, And Kanga was scrubbing him firmly with a large lathery flannel. Ow, Cried Piglet. Let me out. I am Piglet. Don't open the mouth, Dear, Or the soap goes in, Said Kanga. There, What did I tell you? You, You, You did it on purpose, Spluttered Piglet, As soon as he could speak again, And then accidentally had another mouthful of lathery flannel. That's right, Dear. Don't say anything, Said Kanga. And in another minute, Piglet was out of the bath, And being rubbed dry with a towel. Now, Said Kanga, There's your medicine, And then bed. What medicine, Said Piglet? To make you grow big and strong, Dear. You don't want to grow up weak and small like the Piglet, Do you? Well then. At that moment, There was a knock on the door. Come in, Said Kanga, And in came Christopher Robin. Christopher Robin, Christopher Robin, Cried Piglet. Tell Kanga who I am. She keeps saying I'm Roo. I'm not Roo, Am I? Christopher Robin looked at him very carefully and shook his head. You can't be Roo, He said, Because I've just seen Roo playing in Rabbit's house. Well, Said Kanga, Fancy that. Fancy my making a mistake like that. There you are, Said Piglet. I told you so. I'm Piglet. Christopher Robin shook his head again. Oh, You're not Piglet, He said. I know Piglet well, And he's quite a different color. Piglet began to say that this was because he had just had a bath, And then he thought that perhaps he wouldn't say that. And as he opened his mouth to say something else, Kanga slipped the medicine spoon in, And then patted him on the back, And told him that it was really quite a nice taste when you got used to it. I knew it wasn't Piglet, Said Kanga. I wonder who it can be. Perhaps it's some relation of poo, Said Christopher Robin. What about a nephew or an uncle or something? Kanga agreed that this was probably what it was, And said that they would have to call it by some name. I shall call it Poodle, Said Christopher Robin. Henry Poodle for short. And just when it was decided, Henry Poodle wriggled out of Kanga's arms and jumped to the ground. To his great joy, Christopher Robin had left the door open. Never had Henry Poodle Piglet run so fast as he ran then. And he didn't stop running until he had got quite close to his house. But when he was a hundred yards away, He stopped running and rolled the rest of the way home so as to get his own nice comfortable color again. So Kanga and Roo stayed in the forest, And every Tuesday Roo spent the day with his great friend Rabbit. And every Tuesday Kanga spent the day with her great friend Poo, Teaching him to jump. And every Tuesday Piglet spent the day with his great friend Christopher Robin. So they were all happy again. And this is the end of our story this evening. Until next time, Sweet dreams.

Reviews

I didn’t hear the end but I enjoyed what I did hear! Thank you, Hilary! 💕