Laying around for the past several weeks I've amused myself by re-reading much of the AA Milne canon. How could I not love the creator of the play Toad of Toad Hall and his friends, Pooh, Piglet and Eeyore. They are good companions when you don't feel well.
Like all successful children's writers Milne wrote on multiple levels of humor and wisdom. On what would be Alan's birthday let's take a look at some favorite bits of Milne wisdom.
“One does not argue about The Wind in the Willows. The young man gives it to the girl with whom he is in love, and, if she does not like it, asks her to return his letters. The older man tries it on his nephew, and alters his will accordingly. The book is a test of character. We can't criticize it, because it is criticizing us. But I must give you one word of warning. When you sit down to it, don't be so ridiculous as to suppose that you are sitting in judgment on my taste, or on the art of Kenneth Grahame. You are merely sitting in judgment on yourself. You may be worthy: I don't know, But it is you who are on trial.”
“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.”
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That's why we call it the present." Winnie the Pooh”
“The third-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the majority. The second-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the minority. The first-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking.”
“I'm not lost for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.”
“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.”
“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?”
“What day is it?"
It's today," squeaked Piglet.
My favorite day," said Pooh.”
“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.”
Happy birthday Mr. Milne
Toad
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7 comments:
Reaction to "Wind in the Willows" is as good a test as any that I can think of.
As a young boy I had stories from the Hundred Acre Wood read to me. Later, I read them myself. Pooh and Piglet are 2 favorites of all time.
Much later I recieved and read "The Te of Piglet."
I did not know of the author's birthday and thank you for this post!
Great post! I like. :) - KT
It is WE who should be giving YOU chicken soup today but instead, you give it to us. I've never read this book, it's been given to me over the years, but I never picked them up, I didn't know til this moment that all those gifts were tests in disguise! I failed them all...
-F
Toad, first, thank you for the post and all of the great quotes. Secondly, and most important, hope that you are on the mend. As anon said. Thank you for the soup Brother.
I am going to live. It's a wonderous feeling. Thank you for the good wishes
What a wonderful post. I've been a fan of Pooh since I was two years old - classic pooh, natch.
I've got an adorable photo I'm going to send you...watch your email :O)
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