Alan Alexander Miln. The house at Pooh Corner -
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A? They don't. It's just three sticks to them. But to the
Educated--mark this, little Piglet--to the Educated, not
meaning Poohs and Piglets, it's a great and glorious A. Not,"
he added, "just something that anybody can come and breathe
on."
Piglet stepped back nervously, and looked round for
help.
"Here's Rabbit," he said gladly. "Hallo, Rabbit."
Rabbit came up importantly, nodded to Piglet, and said,
"Ah, Eeyore," in the voice of one who would be saying "Good-bye
" in about two more minutes.
"There's just one thing I wanted to ask you, Eeyore.
What happens to Christopher Robin in the mornings nowadays?"
"What's this that I'm looking at?" said Eeyore, still
looking at it.
"Three sticks," said Rabbit promptly.
"You see?" said Eeyore to Piglet. He turned to Rabbit.
"I will now answer your question," he said solemnly.
"Thank you," said Rabbit.
"What does Christopher Robin do in the mornings? He
learns. He becomes Educated. He instigorates--I think that is
the word he mentioned, but I may be referring to something
else--he instigorates Knowledge. In my small way I also, if I
have the word right, am--am doing what he does. That, for
instance, is?"
"An A," said Rabbit, "but not a very good one. Well, I
must get back and tell the others."
Eeyore looked at his sticks and then he looked at
Piglet.
"What did Rabbit say it was?" he asked.
"An A," said Piglet.
"Did you tell him?"
"No, Eeyore, I didn't. I expect he just knew."
"He knew? You mean this A thing is a thing Rabbit
knew?"
"Yes, Eeyore. He's clever, Rabbit is."
"Clever!" said Eeyore scornfully, putting a foot
heavily on his three sticks. "Education!" said Eeyore bitterly,