The sidewalk artists are at it again! This time it is an ode to the friendship of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet. A. A. Milne wrote Winnie-the-Pooh which was published in 1926, followed by The House at Pooh Corner in 1928. The two books are about a boy named Christopher Robin after his son, Christopher Robin Milne (1920–1996), and various characters inspired by his son's stuffed animals.
Christopher Milne had named his toy bear after Winnie, a Canadian black bear he often saw at London Zoo who got her name from the fact that her owner had come from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and after Pooh, a swan they had met while on holiday.
Winnie the Pooh is an anthropomorphic, soft-voiced, cuddly, loveable and quiet teddy bear and the main protagonist. Despite being naïve and slow-witted, he is a friendly, thoughtful and sometimes insightful character who is always willing to help his friends and try his best.
Piglet is introduced in the text from Chapter III of Winnie‑the‑Pooh, although he is shown earlier in one of the illustrations for Chapter II. He is quietly intelligent but is timid and often takes his lead from others unless overcome by fear, when he will suffer from “stage fright” and find a place to hide. He is kind, gentle, and quite shy, but he sees himself as small and helpless in a big world and is reliant on the security and comfort of others.
The true and honest friendship of Pooh and Piglet is an unforgettable part of the two books as shown in the heartfelt quotes:
“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.
Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
“Pooh!” whispered Piglet.
“Yes, Piglet?” said Pooh.
“Oh nothing, said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw. “I was just making sure of you.”
“If ever there is a 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,” said Pooh.
As the two friends wandered through the snow on their way home, Piglet grinned to himself, thinking how lucky he was to have a best friend like Pooh.
“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart,” said Pooh.
“Today was a Difficult Day,” said Pooh.
There was a pause.
“Do you want to talk about it?” asked Piglet.
“No,” said Pooh after a bit. “No, I don’t think I do.”
“That’s OK,” said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.
“What are you doing?” asked Pooh.
“Nothing, really,” said Piglet. “Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite often don’t feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either.”
“But goodness,” continued Piglet, “Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you’ve got someone there for you. And I’ll always be here for you, Pooh.”
And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his Difficult Day, while the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs…he thought that his best friend had never been more right.
There is nothing better than a true and honest friend. Take time during these days of confinement to show your appreciation. True friendships may last longer than marriages. They become a stable pillar of your soul. Don't take them for granted.
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