Episode Transcript
[00:00:01] Speaker A: Dedication and introduction of When We Were Very Young by AA Milne to Christopher Robin Milne, or as he prefers to call himself, Billy Moon.
This book, which owes so much to him, is now humbly offered.
Just before we begin.
At one time, but I've changed my mind now. I thought I was going to write a little note at the top of each of these poems in the manner of Mr. William Wordsworth. He liked to tell his readers where he was staying and which of his friends he was walking with and what he was thinking about when the idea of writing his poem came to him.
You'll find some lines about a swan here, if you get as far as that. And I should have explained to you in the notes that Christopher Robin, who feeds this swan in the mornings, has given him the name of Pooh.
This is a very fine name for a swan, because if you call him and he doesn't come, which is a thing swans are good at, then you could pretend that you were just saying Pooh to show how little you wanted him.
Well, I should have told you that there are six cows who come down to Pooh's lake every afternoon to drink. And of course, they say moo as they come.
So I thought to myself one fine day, walking with my friend Christopher Robin, moo rhymes with Pooh. Surely there's a bit of poetry to be got out of that.
Well, then Hyde began to think about the swan on his lake. And. And at first I thought how lucky it was that his name was Pooh. And then I didn't think about that anymore. And the poem came quite differently from what I intended.
And all I can say for it now is that if it hadn't been for Christopher Robin, I shouldn't have written it. Which indeed, is all I can say for any of the others.
So this is why these verses go about together, because they're all friends of Christopher Robin. And if I left one out because it wasn't quite like the one before, then I should have to leave out the one before because it. It wasn't quite like the next, which would be disappointing for them.
Then there's another thing. You may wonder sometimes who's supposed to be saying the verses. Is it the author, that strange but uninteresting person? Or is it Christopher Robin or some other boy or girl or nurse, or who.
If I'd followed Mr. Wordsworth's plan, I could have explained this each time. But as it is, you'll have to decide for yourselves.
If you're not quite sure, then it's probably who.
I don't know if you've ever met who, but he's one of those curious children who look four on Monday and eight on Tuesday and are really 28 on Saturday, and you never know whether it's the day when he can pronounce his Rs. He had a great deal to do with these verses. In fact, you might almost say that this book is entirely the unaided work of Christopher Robin, who and Mr. Shepherd, who drew the pictures.
They've said thank you politely to each other several times, and now they say it to you for taking them into your house.
Thank you so much for asking us.
We've come Alan Alexander Milne End of dedication and Introduction Section 1 of When We Were Very Young by A.A. milne Poems 1 through 11 Corner of the street down by the corner of the street where the three roads meet and the feet of the people as they pass go Tweet, tweet, tweet who comes tripping round the corner of the street One pair of shoes which are nurses One pair of slippers which are purses Tweet, tweet, tweet.
Buckingham palace they're changing guard at Buckingham Palace Christopher Robin went down with Alice Alice is marrying one of the guard A soldier's life is terrible hard, says Alice they're changing guards at Buckingham Palace Christopher Robin went down with Alice we saw a guard in a sentry box One of the sergeants looks after their socks says Alice they're changing guard to Buckingham Palace Christopher Robin went down with Alice we looked for the King but he never came well, God take care of him all the same, says Alice they're changing guards at Buckingham Palace Christopher Robin went down with Alice They've great big parties inside the grounds I wouldn't be king for a hundred pounds, says Alice they're changing guard at Buckingham Palace Christopher Robin went down with Alice A face looked out but it wasn't the King's he's much too busy assigning things, says Alice they're changing guards at Buckingham Palace Christopher Robin went down with Alice do you think the King knows all about me?
Sure to, dear, but it's time for tea, says Alice Happiness John had great big waterproof boots on John had a great big waterproof hat John had a great big waterproof macintosh and that, said John Is that the christening?
What shall I call my dear little dormouse? His eyes are small but his tail is a gnawmouse. I sometimes call him Terrible John because his tail goes on and on and on.
And I sometimes call him Terrible Jack because his Tail goes on to the end of his back. And I sometimes call him Terrible James because he says he likes me calling him names. But I think I shall call him Jim because I am so fond of him.
Puppy and I.
I met a man as I went walking. We got talking, man and I. Where are you going to, man? I said to the man as he went by going to the village to get some bread. Will you come with me? No, not I.
I met a horse as I went walking. We got talking, horse and I. Where are you going horse today? I said to the hawse as he went by down to the village to get some hay. Will you come with me? No, not I.
I met a woman as I went walking. We got talking, woman and I. Where are you going to, woman? So early? I said to the woman as she went by down to the village to get some barley. Will you come with me? No, not I. I met some rabbits as I went walking. We got talking, rabbits and I. Where are you going in your brown fur coats? I said to the rabbits as they went by down to the village to get some oats. Will you come with us? No, not I.
I met a puppy as I went walking. We got talking, puppy and I. Where are you going this nice fine day? I said to the puppy as he went by up in the hills to roll.
I'll come with you, puppy said I.
Twinkle toes.
When the sun shines through the leaves of the apple tree when the sun makes shadows of the leaves of the apple tree Then I pass on the grass from one leaf to another.
From one leaf to its brother.
Tiptoe, tiptoe, here I go.
The four friends.
Ernest was an elephant, a great big fellow. Leonard was a lion with a six foot tail.
George was a goat and his beard was yellow. And James was a very small snail.
Leonard had a stall and a great big strong one. Ernest had a manger and its walls were thick. George found a pen but I think it was the wrong one and James sat down on a brick.
Ernest started trumpeting and cracked his manger. Leonard started roaring and shivered his stall.
James gave the huffle of a snail in danger and nobody heard him at all.
Ernest started trumpeting and raised such a rumpus. Leonard started roaring and trying to kick. James went on a journey with the goat's new compass and he reached the end of his brick.
Ernest was an elephant and very well intentioned. Leonard was a lion with a brave new tail. George was a goat as I think I've mentioned But James was only a snail Lines and Squares.
Whenever I walk in a London street, I'm ever so careful to watch my feet. And I keep in the squares and the masses of bears who wait at the corners all ready to eat. The sillies who tread on the lines of the street go back to their lairs. And I say to them, bears, just look how I'm walking in all of the squares.
And the little bears growl to each other. He's mine as soon as he's silly and steps on a line.
And some of the bigger bears try to pretend that they came round the corner to look for a friend. And they try to pretend that nobody cares whether you walk on the lines or squares. But only the sillies believe their talk. It's ever so portant how you walk. And it's ever so jolly to call out. Bears just watch me walking in all the squares.
Brownie.
Yes. In a corner of the bedroom is a great big curtain.
Somebody lives behind it, but I don't know who.
I think it's a Brownie, but I'm not quite certain.
Nanny isn't certain too.
I looked behind the curtain, but he went so quickly.
Brownies never wait to say how do you do?
They wriggle off at once because they're all so tickly.
Nanny says they're tickly, too.
Independence.
I never did, I never did, I never did. Like. Now, take care, dear.
I never did, I never did. I never did Want hold my hand.
I never did, I never did. I never did think much of. Not up there, dear.
It's no good saying it.
They don't understand.
Nursery chairs.
One of the chairs is South America.
One of the chairs is a ship at sea. One is a cage for a great big lion.
And one is a chair for me.
The first chair.
When I go up the Amazon, I stop at night and fire a gun to call my faithful band. And Indians in twos and threes come silently between the trees and wait for me to land.
And if I do not want to play with any Indians today, I simply wave my hand and then they turn and go away.
They always understand.
The second chair.
I am a great big lion in my cage and I often frighten Nanny with a roar. Then I hold her very tight and tell her not to be so frightened as she doesn't be so frightened any more.
The third chair.
When I'm in my ship I see the other ships go sailing by. A sailor leans and calls to me as his ship goes sailing by across the sea he leans to me above the winds I hear him cry Is this the way to round the world he calls as he goes by the fourth chair.
Whenever I sit in a high chair for breakfast or dinner or tea, I try to pretend that it's my chair and that I am a baby of three.
Shall I go off to South America? Shall I put out in my ship to sea? Or get in my cage and be lions and tigers? Or shall I be only me?
End of Section 1 Section 2 of When We Were Very Young by A.A. milne Poems 1222 Market Square I had a penny, a bright new penny. I took my penny to the market square. I wanted a rabbit, a little brown rabbit and I looked for a rabbit most everywhere. For I went to the store where they sold sweet lavender. Only a penny for a bunch of lavender have you got a rabbit?
Because I don't want lavender.
But they hadn't got a rabbit, not anywhere there I had a penny and I had another penny. I took my pennies to the market square. I did want a rabbit, a little baby rabbit and I looked for rabbits most everywhere.
And I went to the store where they sold fresh mackerel. Now then, tuppence for a fresh caught mackerel have you got a rabbit? Because I don't like mackerel.
But they hadn't got a rabbit, not anywhere there I found a sixpence, a little white sixpence I took it in my hand to the market square I was buying my rabbit I do like rabbits and I looked for my rabbit most everywhere. So I went at a store where I saw fine saucepans Wall cap, wall cap Sixpence for a saucepan Can I have a rabbit? Because we got two saucepans but they hadn't got a rabbit, not anywhere there I had nothing, no, I hadn't got nothing.
So I didn't go down to the market square But I walked on the common, the old gold common and I saw little rabbits most everywhere.
So I'm sorry for the people who sell fine saucepans. I'm sorry for the people who sell fresh mackerel.
I'm sorry for the people who sell sweet lavender.
Cause they haven't got a rabbit, not anywhere there Daffer downdilly She wore her yellow sunbonnet, she wore her greenest gown. She turned to the south wind and curtsied up and down.
She turned to the sunlight and shook her yellow head.
I whispered to her neighbor, Winter is dead.
Water lilies where the water lilies go to and fro Rocking in the ripples of the water Lazy on a leaf lies the late king's Daughter. And the faint winds shake her. Who will come and take her?
I will.
I will. Keep still. Keep still.
Sleeping on a leaf lies the late king's daughter.
Then a wind comes skipping to the lilies on the water and the kind winds wake her. Now who will take her? With a laugh she is slipping through the lilies on the water. Wait. Wait.
Too late.
Too late.
Only the water lilies go to and fro, dipping, dipping to the ripples of the water.
Disobedience James James Morrison Morrison Weatherby George Dupree took great care of his mother though he was only three.
James James said to his mother, Mother, he said, said he, you must never go down to the end of the town if you don't go down with me.
James James Morrison's mother put on a golden gown.
James James Morrison's mother drove to the end of the town.
James James Morrison's mother said to herself, said she, I could get right down to the end of the town and be back in time for tea.
King John put up a notice. Lost, stolen or strayed. James James Morrison's mother seems to have been mislaid. Last seen wandering vaguely quite of her own accord, she tried to get down to the end of the town. 40 shillings reward.
James James Morrison Morrison, commonly known as Jim told his other relations not to go blaming him.
James James said to his mother, Mother, he said, said he, you must never go down to the end of the town without consulting me.
James James Morrison's mother hasn't been heard of since.
King John said he was sorry. So did the queen and prince.
King John, somebody told me, said to a man he knew, if people go down to the end of the town, well, what can anyone do?
Now then, very softly, JJ M M W G DP took great care of his mother, though he was only three.
J J said to his mother, Mother, he said, said he, you must never go down to the end of the town if you don't go down with me.
Spring morning where am I going?
I don't quite know.
Down to the stream where the king cubs grow up on the hill where the pine trees blow. Anywhere, anywhere. I don't know where am I going? The clouds sail by little ones, baby ones over the sky.
Where am I going? The shadows pass little ones, baby ones over the grass.
If you were a cloud and sailed up there you'd sail on water as blue as air and you'd see me here in the fields and say, doesn't the sky look green today?
Where am I going? The high rooks call it's awful fun to be born at all.
Where am I going? The ring doves Coo. We do have beautiful things to do.
If you were a bird and lived on high, you'd lean on the wind when the wind came by. You'd say to the wind when it took you away.
That's where I wanted to go today.
Where am I going?
I don't quite know.
What does it matter where people go? Down to the wood where the bluebells grow.
Anywhere, Anywhere.
I don't know, the island.
If I had a ship, I'd sail my ship. I'd sail my ship through eastern seas down to a beach where the slow waves thunder, the green curls over and the white falls under. Boom boom boom boom on the sun bright sand. Then I'd leave my ship and I'd land and climb the steep white sand and climb to the trees, the six dark trees, the coconut trees on the cliff's green crown. Hands and knees to the coconut trees face to the cliff as the stones patter down, up, up, up. Staggering, stumbling round the corner where the rock is crumbling, round this shoulder, over this boulder, up to the top where the six trees stand.
And there would I rest and lie my chin in my hands and gaze at the dazzle of sand below and the green waves curling slow and the grey blue distant haze where the sea goes up to the sky.
And I'd say to myself, as I looked so lazily down at the sea, there's nobody else in the world.
And the world was made for me.
THE Three FOXES Once upon a time there were three little foxes who didn't wear stockings and they didn't wear socks. But they all had handkerchiefs to blow their noses and they kept their handkerchiefs in cardboard boxes. They lived in the forest in three little houses and they didn't wear coats and they didn't wear trousers. They ran through the woods on their little bear tootsies and they played touch last with a family of mouses. They didn't go shopping in the high street shopsees but caught what they wanted in the woods and copses. They all went fishing and they caught three wormses. They went out hunting and they caught three wopses.
They went to a fair and they all won prizes. Three plum puddingses and three mince pizes. They rode on elephants and swung on swingses and hit three cocoanuts at cocoanut shizes.
That's all I know of the three little foxes who kept their handkerchiefs in cardboard boxes. They lived in the forest in three little houses, but they didn't wear coats and they didn't wear trousers and they didn't wear stockings and they didn't wear socks Politeness if people ask me I always tell them Quite well, thank you, I'm very glad to say if people ask me I always answer Quite well, thank you how are you today?
I always answer I always tell them if they ask me politely but sometimes I wish that they wouldn't.
Jonathan Joe Jonathan Joe has a mouth like an O and. And a wheelbarrow full of surprises if you ask for a bat or for something like that he's got it whatever the size is if you're wanting a ball it's no trouble at all why, the more that you ask for the merrier Like a hoop and a top and a watch that won't stop and some sweets and an Aberdeen terrier Jonathan Joe has a mouth like an O But this is what makes him so funny if you give him a smile only once in a while Then he never expects any money at the zoo there are lions and roaring tigers and enormous camels and things There are bifilo buffalo bisons and a great big bear with wings There's a sort of a tiny potamus and a tiny noceris too But I gave buns to the elephant when I went down to the zoo There are badgers and bidgers and bodgers and a superintendent's house There are masses of goats and a polar and different kinds of mouse and I think there's a sort of a. Something which is called a wallaboo But I gave buns to the elephant When I went down to the zoo if he tries to talk to the bison he never quite understands he can't shake hands with him, Mingo he doesn't like shaking hands and lions and roaring tigers Hate saying how do do But I give buns to the elephant when I go down to the zoo Rice pudding.
What is the matter with Mary Jane? She's crying with all her might and main as you won't eat her dinner Rice pudding again.
What is the matter with Mary Jane? What is the matter with Mary Jane? I've promised her dolls and a daisy chain and a book about animals all in vain what is the matter with Mary Jane?
What is the matter with Mary Jane? She's perfectly well and she hasn't a pain but look at her now she's beginning again what is the matter with Mary Jane?
What is the matter with Mary Jane? I've promised her sweets and a ride in the train and I've begged her to stop for a bit and explain what is the matter with Mary Jane?
What is the matter with Mary Jane? She's perfectly well and she hasn't a pain and it's lovely rice pudding for dinner again what is the matter with Mary Jane?
End of section 2 section 3 of When We Were Very Young by A.A. milne poems 2333 Missing has anybody seen my mouse? I opened his box for half a minute Just to make sure he was really in it and while I was looking he jumped outside. I tried to catch him, I tried, I tried. I think he's somewhere about the house.
Has anyone seen my mouse?
Uncle John, have you seen my mouse?
Just a small sort of mouse, A dear little brown one. He came from the country he wasn't a town one so he'd feel all lonely in a London street. Why, what could he possibly find to eat?
He must be somewhere.
I'll ask Aunt Rose have you seen a mouse with a waffly nose?
Somewhere about.
He's just got out.
Hasn't anybody seen my mouse?
The King's Breakfast the King asked the Queen, and the Queen asked the dairymaid, could we have some butter for the royal slice of bread? The Queen asked the dairymaid. The dairymaid said, certainly, I'll go and tell the cow now before she goes to bed. The daisy maid curtsied and went and told the Alderney, don't forget the butter for a royal slice of bread.
The Alderney said sleepily, you better tell.
[00:23:29] Speaker B: His Majesty that many people nowadays like marmalade instead.
[00:23:34] Speaker A: The dairymaid said, fancy, and went to her Majesty. She curtseyed to the Queen and she turned a little red. Excuse me, your majesty, for taking of the liberty, but I. Marmalade is tasty if it's very thickly spread. The Queen said, oh, and went to his Majesty talking of the butter for a royal slice of bread. Many people think that marmalade is nicer. Would you like to try a little marmalade instead?
The King said, bother. And then he said, oh, dear me. The king sobbed, oh, deary me, and went back to bed.
[00:24:06] Speaker B: Nobody, he whimpered, could call me a fussy man.
[00:24:09] Speaker A: I only want a little bit of.
[00:24:10] Speaker B: Butter for my bread.
[00:24:12] Speaker A: The Queen said, there, there, and went to the day maid. The daymaid said, there, there, and went to the shed. The cow said, there, there.
[00:24:21] Speaker B: I didn't really mean it. Here's milk for his porringer and butter for his bread.
[00:24:27] Speaker A: The Queen took the butter and brought it to his Majesty. The King said, butter, eh? And bounced out of bed Nobody, he said as he kissed her tenderly Nobody, he said as he slid down the banisters Nobody my darling could call me a fussy man But I do like a little bit of butter to my bread Hoppity Christopher Robin goes Hoppity, hoppity, hoppity hoppity hop Whenever I tell him politely to stop it he says he can't possibly stop if he stopped hopping he couldn't go anywhere Poor little Christopher couldn't go anywhere that's why he always goes Hoppity, hoppity hop Hoppity hopperty hop at home I want a soldier A soldier in a busby I want a soldier to come and play with me I'd give him cream cakes, big ones, sugar ones I'd give him cream cakes and cream for his tea I want a soldier A tall one, a red one I want a soldier who plays on the drum Daddy's going to get one he's written to the shopman. Daddy's going to get one as soon as he can Come.
The wrong house.
I went into a house and it wasn't a house.
It has big steps and a great big hall but it hasn't got a garden, a garden, a garden.
It isn't like a house at all.
I went into a house and it wasn't a house. It has a big garden and a great high wall but. But it hasn't got a May tree, A may tree, a may tree.
It isn't like a house at all.
I went into a house and it wasn't a house.
Slow white petals from the May tree fall but it hasn't got a blackbird, a blackbird, a blackbird.
It isn't like a house at all.
I went into a house and. And I thought it was a house. I could hear from the May tree the blackbird call but nobody listened to it, Nobody liked it, Nobody wanted it at all.
Summer afternoon Six brown cows walked down to drink all the little fishes blew Bubbles of the mayfly Splash goes the first as he comes to the brink Swish go the tails of the five who follow 12 brown cows been drinking There all the little fishes went Waggle tail, waggle tail Six from the water and six from the air. Up down the river dot a blue black swallow.
The dormouse and the doctor There was once a dormouse who lived in a bed of delphiniums blue and geraniums red and all the day long he'd a wonderful view of geraniums red and delphiniums blue.
A doctor came hurrying round and he Said, tut, tut, I'm sorry to find you in bed. Just say 99 while I look at your chest don't you find that chrysanthemums answer the best? The dormouse looked round at the viewer and replied when he'd said 99 that he tried and he tried and much the most answering things that he knew Were geraniums red and delphinium's blue. The doctor stood frowning and shaking his head and he took up his shiny silk hat as he said, what the patient requires is a change and he went to see some chrysanthemum people in Kent. The dormouse lay there and he gazed at the view of geraniums red and delphiniums blue and he knew there was nothing he wanted. Instead of delphinium's blue and geraniums red the doctor came back and to show what he meant he'd brought some chrysanthemum cuttings from Kent. Now these, he remarked, give a much better view Than geranium's red and delphiniums blue. They took out their spades and they dug up the bed of delphinium's blue and geranium's red and he planted chrysanthemums yellow and white. And now, said the doctor, we'll soon have you write. The dormouse looked out and he said with a sigh, I suppose all these people know better than I.
It was silly perhaps, but a tit like the view of duranium's red and delphinium's blue.
The doctor came round and examined his chest and ordered him nourishment, tonics and rest. How very effective, he said as he shook the thermometer. All these chrysanthemums look.
The dormouse turned over to shut out the sight of the endless chrysanthemums yellow and white.
How lovely he thought, to be back in a bed of delphiniums blue and geraniums red.
The doctor said, tut, it's another attack. And ordered him milk and massage of the back and freed him of worry and drives in a car and murmured how sweet your chrysanthemums are.
The dormouse lay there with his paws to his eyes and imagined himself such a pleasant surprise. How pretend. The chrysanthemums turned to a bed of delphiniums blue and geraniums red. The doctor next morning was rubbing his hands and saying, Lest nobody quite understands these cases as I do, the cure has begun. How fresh the chrysanthemums look in the sun.
The dormouse lay happy his eyes were so Tight he could see no chrysanthemums yellow or white and all that. He felt that the back of his head Were delphiniums blue and geraniums red.
And that is the reason Aunt Emily said if a dormouse gets in a chrysanthemum bed you'll find so Aunt Emily says that he lies fast asleep on his front with his paws to his eyes.
Shoes and stockings.
There's a cavern in the mountain where the old men meet. Hammer, hammer, Hammer, Hammer, Hammer, hammer.
They make gold slippers for my lady's feet. Hammer, hammer, Hammer, Hammer, Hammer, hammer. My lady is marrying her own true knight White tur gown and her veil is white but she must have slippers on her dainty feet. Hammer, hammer, Hammer, hammer. There's a cottage by the river where the old wives meet. Chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter. They weave gold stockings for my lady's feet. Chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter.
My lady's going to her own true man Youth to youth since the world began but she must have stockings on her dainty feet. Chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter.
Sand between the toes I went down to the shouting sea Taking Christopher down with me for nurse had given us a sixpence each and down we went to the beach. We had sand in the eyes and the ears and the nose and sand in the hair and sand between the toes. Whenever a good nor' wester blows Christopher is certain of sand between the toes.
The sea was galloping grey and white Christopher clutched his sixpence tight. We cambered over the humping sand and Christopher held my hand. We had sand in the eyes and the ears and the nose and sand in the hair and sand between the toes. Whenever a good nor wester blows Christopher is certain of sand between the toes.
There was a roaring in the sky the seagulls cried as they blew by. We tried to talk but had to shout Nobody else was out when we got home we had sand in the hair, in the eyes and the ears and everywhere whenever a good nor' wester blows Christopher is found with sand between the toes.
Knights and ladies There is in my old picture book A page at which I like to look where knights and squires come riding down the cobbles of some steep old town and ladies from beneath the eaves Flutter their bravest handkerchiefs or smiling proudly toss down gauges.
But that was in the Middle Ages. It wouldn't happen now. But still whenever I look up the hill where dark against the green and blue the firs come marching two by two I wonder if perhaps I might see Suddenly a shining knight winding his way from blue to green. Exactly as it would have been those many, many years ago.
Perhaps I might.
You never know.
Little Bo Peep and Little Boy Blue.
What have you done with your sheep? Little Bo Peep, what have you done with your sheep? Bo Peep, Little Boy Blue. What fun. I've lost them, every one.
Oh, what a thing to have done. Little Bo Peep, what have you done with your sheep, Little Boy Blue. What have you done with your sheep, Boy Blue? Little Bo Peep. My sheep went off when I was asleep.
I'm sorry about your sheep. Little Boy Blue.
What are you going to do, Little Bo Peep? What are you going to do? Bo Peep?
Little Boy Blue. You'll see, they'll all come home to tea.
They wouldn't do that for me. Little Bo Peep, what are you going to do? Little Boy Blue? What are you going to do? Boy Blue, Little Bo Peep, I'll blow my horn for an hour or so.
Isn't that rather slow? Little Boy Blue.
Whom are you going to marry? Little Bo Peep?
Whom are you going to marry? Bo Peep, Little Boy Blue. Boy Blue, I'd like to marry you.
I think I should like it too. Little Bo Peep where are we going to live, Little Boy Blue? Where are we going to live, Boy Blue?
Little Bo Peep, Bo Peep. Up in the hills with the sheep and you'll love your Little Bo Peep. Little Boy Blue, I'll love you forever and ever Little Bo Peep, I'll love you forever and ever Bo Peep, Little Boy Blue. My dear, keep near, keep very near I shall always be here. Little Bo Peep.
End of section 3 section 4 of When We Were Very Young by A.A. milne poems 34 44.
The mirror between the woods the afternoon is fallen in a golden swoon. The sun looks down from quiet skies to where a quiet water lies and silent trees stoop down to trees and there I saw a white swan make another white swan in the lake and breast to breast, both motionless they waited for the wind's caress and all the water was at ease.
Half way down, halfway down the stairs is a stair where I sit. There isn't any other stair quite like it. I'm not at the bottom, I'm not at the top.
So this is the stair where I always stop.
Half way up the stairs isn't up and isn't down. It isn't in the nursery, it isn't in the town and all sorts of funny thoughts run round my head it isn't really anywhere. It's somewhere else instead.
The invaders.
In careless patches through the wood the clumps of yellow primrose stood and sheets of white anemones like driven snow against the trees had covered up the violet but left the bluebell bluer yet along the narrow carpet ride with primroses on either side between their shadows and the sun the cows came slowly, one by one, breathing the early morning air and leaving it still sweeter there. And one by one, intent upon their purposes, they followed on in ordered silence and were gone.
But all the little wood was still, as if it waited so until some blackbird on an outpost yew, watching the slow procession through lifted his yellow beak at last to whistle that the line had passed.
Then all the wood began to sing its morning anthem to the spring before tea.
Emmeline has not been seen for more than a week. She slipped between the two tall trees at the end of the green. We all went after her. Emeline.
Emeline, I didn't mean. I only said that your hands weren't clean.
We went to the trees at the end of the green, but Emmeline was not to be seen.
Emmeline came slipping between the two tall trees at the end of the green. We all ran up to her. Emmeline, where have you been? Where have you been? Why, it's more than a week. And Emmeline said, sillies. I went and saw the queen. She says my hands are perfectly clean.
Teddy bear, A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise. Our teddy bear is short and fat, which is not to be wondered at. He gets what exercise he can by falling off the otterman but generally seems to lack the energy to clamber back.
Now tubbiness is just the thing which gets a fellow wandering. And Teddy worried lots about the fact that he was rather stout.
[00:36:52] Speaker B: He thought, if only I were thin. But how does anyone begin?
[00:36:58] Speaker A: He.
[00:36:59] Speaker B: It isn't really fair to grudge me exercise and air.
[00:37:04] Speaker A: For many weeks he pressed in vain his nose against the window pane and envied those who walked about reducing their unwonted stout. None of the people he could see.
[00:37:13] Speaker B: Is quite, he said, as fat as me.
[00:37:17] Speaker A: Then with a still more moving sigh.
[00:37:20] Speaker B: I mean, he said, as fat as I.
[00:37:24] Speaker A: Now Teddy, as was only right, slept in the ottoman at night and with him crowded in as well more animals than I could tell not only these, but books and things such as a kind relation brings Old tales of once upon a time A history retold in rhyme One night it happened that he took a peep at an old picture book wherein he came across by chance the picture of a king of France, a stoutish man, and down below these words, king Louis, so and so, nicknamed the handsome.
There he sat. And think of it. The man was fat.
Our bear rejoiced, like anything to read about this famous king, nicknamed the handsome.
There he sat, and suddenly the man was fat. Nicknamed the Handsome.
Not a d. Stout. The man was definitely stout.
Why then a bear, for all his tub might yet be named. The handsome cub might yet be named.
Or did he mean that years ago he might have been. For now he felt a slight misgiving.
[00:38:34] Speaker B: Is Louis so and so still living?
Fashions and beauty have a way of altering from day to day his handsome Louis with us. Yet unfortunately, I forget.
[00:38:46] Speaker A: Next morning, nose to window pane, the doubt occurred to him again. One question hammered in his head. Is he alive or is he dead? Thus, nose to pain, he pondered. But the latter's window, loosely shut, swung open with one startled o.
Teddy disappeared below the habit to be passing by a plump man with twinkling eye who, seeing teddy in the street, raised him politely to his feet and murmured kindly in his ear soft words of comfort and of cheer. Well, well, allow me. Not at all. Tut, tut. A very nasty fall.
Our Teddy answered. Not a word. It's doubtful if he even heard. Our bear could only look and look.
The stout man in the picture book. That handsome king.
Could this be he, this man of adiposity?
[00:39:36] Speaker B: Impossible, he thought. But still no harm in asking. Yes, I will.
Are you? He said, by any chance his majesty the king of France?
[00:39:49] Speaker A: The other answered, I am that bowed stiffly and removed his hat, then said, excuse me with an air, but is it Mr. Edward Bhaer?
And Teddy, bending very low, replied politely, even so they stood beneath the window. There the King and Mr. Edward bear and handsome, if a trifle fat, talked carelessly of this and that. Then said his majesty, well, well, I must get on and rang the bell. Your bell, I think. He smiled good day and turned and went upon his way.
A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise. Our teddy bear is short and fat, which is not to be wondered at. But do you think it worries him to know that he is far from slim?
No, just the other way about.
He's proud of being short and stout.
Bad Sir Brian. Botany.
Sir Brian had a battle axe with great big knobs on. He went among the villagers and pipped them on the head on Wednesday and on Saturday, but mostly on the latter day he called us all the cottages. And this is what he.
I am Sir Brian Tingling. I am Sir Brian Rat tat. I am Sir Brian, as bold as a lion. Take that. And that. And that.
Sir Brian had a pair of boots with great big spurs on. A fighting pair of which he was particularly fond. On Tuesday and on Friday, just to make the street look tidy, he collect the passing villagers and kick them in the pond. I am Sir Brian Splosh. I am Sir Brian Splosh. I am Sir Brian, as bold as a lion. Is anyone else for a wash? Sir Brian woke one morning but he couldn't find his battle axe. He walked into the village in his second pair of boots. He'd gone a hundred paces when the street was full of faces and the villagers were round him with ironical salutes. You were Sir Brian.
Indeed you are Sir Brian. Dear, dear. You are Sir Brian, as bold as a lion. Delighted to meet you here.
Sir Brian went on a journey and he found a lot of duckweed. They pulled him out and dried him and they blipped him on the head. They took him by the breeches and they hurled him into ditches and they pushed him under waterfalls. And this is what they said. Here was Sir Brian. Don't laugh. Here was Sir Brian. Don't cry. You are Sir Brian, as bold as a lion. Sir Brian the lion. Goodbye.
Sir Brian struggled home again and chopped up his battle axe. Sir Brian took his fighting boots and threw them in the fire.
He's quite a different person now. He hasn't got his spurs on. And he goes about the village as B. Botany Esquire.
I am Sir Brian. Oh, no.
I am Sir Brian. Who's he?
I haven't got any title. I'm Botany. Plain Mr. Botany B.
In the fashion a lion has a tail and a very fine tail. And so is an elephant, and so is a whale. And so is a crocodile, and so is a quail. They've all got tails but me, if I had sixpence, I would buy one. I'd say to the shopman, let me try one.
I'd say to the elephant, this is my one. They all come round to see.
Then I'd say to the lion, why, you've got a tail. And so is the elephant, and so is the whale. And look, there's a crocodile. He's got a tail. You've all got tails like me.
The alchemist.
There lives an old man at the top of the street. And the end of his beard reaches down to his feet and he's just the one person I'm longing to meet. I think that he sounds so exciting for he talks all the day to his tortoiseshell cat and he asks about this and explains about that and at night he puts on a big wide awake so as not to go to sleep hat and sits in the writing room writing. He's worked all his life and he's terribly old at a wonderful spell which says Lo and behold your nursery fender is gold and it's gold or the tongs or the rod for the curtain but somehow he hasn't got hold of it quite or the liquid you pour on it first isn't right so that's why he works at it night after night till he knows he can do it for certain.
Growing Up I've got shoes with grown up laces I've got knickers and a pair of braces. I'm all ready to run some races. Who's coming out with me? I've got a nice new pair of braces I've got shoes with new brown laces I know wonderful paddly places. Who's coming out with me every morning? My new graces thank you God for my nice new braces I can tie my new brown laces who's coming out with me?
If I were King.
I often wish I were a king and then I could do anything.
If only I were King of Spain I'd take my hat off in the rain. If only I were King of France I wouldn't brush my hair for aunts I think if I were king of Greece I I'd push things off the mantelpiece. If I were King of Norway I'd ask an elephant to stay.
If I were king of Babylon I'd leave my button gloves undone. If I were King of Timbuktu I'd think of lovely things to do. If I were king of anything I'd tell the I'm the king vespers.
This poem being in the library of the Queen's Doll's House is printed here by special permission.
Little boy kneels at the foot of the bed Droops on the little hands, the little gold head.
Hush, hush, whisper who dares?
Christopher Robin is saying his prayers.
God bless mummy, I know that's right. Wasn't it fun in the bath to night the cold so cold and the hot so hot. Oh God bless daddy, I quite forgot. If I open my fingers a little bit more I could see nanny's dressing gown on the door. It's beautiful blue but it hasn't a hood. Oh, God bless Nanny and make her good.
Mine has a hood. And I lie in bed and I pull the hood right over my head and I shut my eyes and I curl up small. And nobody knows that I'm there at all.
Oh, thank you, God, for a lovely day.
And what was the other I had to say? I said, bless Daddy. So blessed. What can it be?
Oh, now I remember.
God bless me.
Little boy kneels at the foot of the bed. Droops on the little hands, the little gold head.
Hush, hush, Whisper. Who dares?
Christopher Robin is saying his prayers.
End of section 4 and end of When We Were Very Young by A.A. milne.
This book was read by Matthew Sones.
