Alan Alexander Miln. The house at Pooh Corner -
44 >
then "Violets, Eeyore," in case he forgot, because it was that
sort of day, and he picked a large bunch and trotted along,
smelling them, and feeling very happy, until he came to the
place where Eeyore was.
"Oh, Eeyore," began Piglet a little nervously, because
Eeyore was busy.
Eeyore put out a paw and waved him away.
"To-morrow," said Eeyore. "Or the next day." Piglet
came a little closer to see what it was. Eeyore had three
sticks on the ground, and was looking at them. Two of the
sticks were touching at one end, but not at the other, and the
third stick was laid across them. Piglet thought that perhaps
it was a Trap of some kind.
"Oh, Eeyore," he began again, "I just--"
"Is that little Piglet?" said Eeyore, still looking
hard at his sticks.
"Yes, Eeyore, and I--"
"Do you know what this is?"
"No," said Piglet.
"It's an A."
"Oh," said Piglet.
"Not O--A," said Eeyore severely. "Can't you hear, or
do you think you have more education than Christopher Robin?"
"Yes," said Piglet. "No," said Piglet very quickly. And
he came closer still.
"Christopher Robin said it was an A, and an A it
is--until somebody treads on it," Eeyore added sternly.
Piglet jumped backwards hurriedly, and smelt at his
violets.
"Do you know what A means, little Piglet?"
"No, Eeyore, I don't."
"It means Learning, it means Education, it means all
the things that you and Pooh haven't got. That's what A means."
"Oh," said Piglet again. "I mean, does it?" he
explained quickly.
"I'm telling you. People come and go in this Forest,
and they say, 'It's only Eeyore, so it doesn't count.' They
walk to and fro saying 'Ha ha!' But do they know anything about