 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne Section 1. Dedication and Preface Dedication 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. Preface. Just before we begin. At one time, but I have 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, who 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 will find some lines about a swan here, if you get as far as that, and I should have explained to you in the note that Christopher Robin, who feeds this swan in the mornings, has given him the name of Poo. 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 can pretend that you were just saying Poo, to show how little you wanted him. Well, I should have told you that there are six cows who come down to Poo'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 Poo. Surely there is a bit of poetry to be got out of that. Well then, I began to think about the swan on his Lake, and at first I thought how lucky it was that his name was Poo, and then I didn't think about that any more, 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 are all friends of Christopher Robin, and if I left out one because it was not quite like the one before, then I should have to leave out the one before because it was not quite like the next, which would be disappointing for them. Then there is another thing you may wonder sometimes who is 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 had followed Mr. Wordsworth's plan, I could have explained this each time, but as it is you will have to decide for yourselves. If you are not quite sure, then it is probably who. I don't know if you have ever met who, but he is one of those curious children who look for on Monday and ate on Tuesday and are really twenty-eight on Saturday, and you never know whether it is 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 have 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. Signed A. A. Milne. End of dedication and preface. When we were very young by A. A. Milne. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. When we were very young by A. A. Milne. Section 2. Corner of the Street. Down by the corner of the street where the three roads meet and the feet of the people has a 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 guard 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 at 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 guard 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 guard at Buckingham Palace. Christopher Robin went down with Alice. Do you think the king knows all about me? Sure, too, 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 doormouse? His eyes are small, but his tail is enormous. 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. I said to the man as he went by. Down 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 to, horse, today? I said to the horse 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 us 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 to the hills to roll and play. I'll come with you, puppy, said I. End of section. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne. Section 3 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, 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 by such a rumpus. Leonard started roaring and trying to kick. James went on a journey with a 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 have mentioned, but James was only a snail. Lines and squares. Whenever I walk in the 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, to 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 important how you walk. And it's ever so jolly to call out, bears, just watch me walking in all the squares. Brownie. In a corner of the bedroom is a great big curtain. Someone lives behind it, but I don't know who. I think it is 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. I never did. 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. End of section. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne. Section 4. Nursery Chairs One of the chairs is South America. One of the chairs has 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. 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'm a great big lion in my cage and they often frighten any with a roar. Then I hold her very tight and tell her not to be so frightened and she doesn't be or the Third Chair. When I am 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? 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 stall 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 stall where they sold fresh mackerel. Now then, tuppin's 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 and I too like rabbits and I looked for my rabbit most everywhere. So I went to the stall where they sold fine saucepans. Walk up, walk up, sixpence for a saucepan. Could I have a rabbit because we've 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 because they don't sell fine saucepans not anywhere there. Daffodown Dilly. She wore her yellow sun bonnet 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 and 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 lake king's daughter and the fate winds shake her who will come and take her I will, I will keep still, keep still sleeping on a leaf lies the lake king's daughter then the 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 Wetherby 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 can get right down to the end of the town and be back in time for tea King James Morrison's mother offered tea King John put up a notice lost or stolen or strayed James James Morrison's mother seems to have been mislaid last seen wandering vaguely quite her own accord she tried to get down to the end of the town forty 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 and so did the queen in Prince King John somebody told me said to a man he knew down to the end of the town well what can anyone do now then very softly J J M M W G to P 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 end of section this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville South Carolina when we were very young by A. A. Milne section five spring morning where am I going I don't quite know down to the stream where the king cups 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 where am I 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 blue bells grow anywhere anywhere I don't know the island 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 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 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 the 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 gray blue distant haze where the sea goes up to the sky and I'd say to myself as I look 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 the family of mouses they didn't go shopping in the high street shops 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 puddings and three mince-pices they rode on elephants and swang on swings that's all that 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 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 a wheel-barrow full of surprises if you ask for a bat or for something like that he has 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 he never expects any money end of section this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina when we were very young by A. A. Milne section six at the zoo there are lions and roaring tigers and enormous camels and things there are buffalo buffalo bisons and a great big bear with wings there's a sort of a tiny potamus and a tiny Nussrus too but I gave buns to the elephant when I went down to the zoo there are badgers and bidgers and badgers and a superintendent's house there are masses of goats there are different animals and different kinds of mouse and I think there's a sort of a something which is called wallaboo but I gave buns to the elephant when I went down to the zoo if you try to talk to the bison he never quite understands you can't shake hands with a mingo he doesn't like shaking hand and lions and roaring tigers hate saying how do you 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 in Maine and she 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 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 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 oh 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 dairy maid could we have some butter for the royal slice of bread the queen asked the dairy maid the dairy maid said certainly I'll go and tell the cow now before she goes to bed the dairy maid she curtsied and went and told the Alderney don't forget the butter for the royal slice of bread the Alderney said sleepily you'd better tell his majesty that many people nowadays like marmalade instead the dairy maid said fancy and went to her majesty she curtsied to the queen and she turned a little red excuse me your majesty for taking off the liberty but marmalade is tasty if it's very thickly spread the queen said oh and went to his majesty talking of the butter for the 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 dearie me the king sobbed oh dearie me and went back to bed nobody he whimpered could call me a fussy man I only want a little bit of butter for my bread the queen said there there and went to the dairy maid the dairy maid said there there and went to the shed the cow said there there I didn't really mean it here's milk for his poor injure and butter for his bread 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 end of section section seven of when we were very young this is the LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina when we were very young by A. A. Milne section seven hoppity Christopher Robin goes hoppity hoppity hoppity hoppity hop whenever I tell him politely to stop it he says you 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 hoppity hoppity 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 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 it hasn't got a matri a matri a matri it isn't like a house at all I went into a house and it wasn't a house slow white petals from the matri 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 I thought it was a house I could hear from the matri 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 went waggle-tail waggle-tail six from the water and six from the air up and down the river darts a blue-black swallow the doormouse and the doctor there once was a doormouse who lived in a bed a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird a blackbird The doormouse looked round at the view and replied, when he'd said ninety-nine, that he'd tried and he'd tried, and much the most answering things that he knew were geraniums red and delphiniums 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 doormouse lay there, and he gazed at the view of geraniums red and delphiniums blue, and he knew there was nothing he wanted instead of delphiniums blue and geraniums red. The doctor came back and to show what he meant he had brought some chrysanthemum cuttings from Kent. Now these, he remarked, give a much better view than geraniums red and delphiniums blue. They took out their spades and they dug up the bed of delphiniums blue and geraniums red, and they planted chrysanthemums yellow and white. And now, said the doctor, we'll soon have you right. The doormouse looked out, and he said with a sigh, I suppose all these people know better than I. It was silly perhaps, but I did like the view of geraniums red and delphiniums 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 doormouse turned over to shut out the sight of 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 freedom from worry and drives in a car, and murmured, How sweet your chrysanthemums are! The doormouse lay there with his paws to his eyes, and imagined himself such a pleasant surprise. I'll pretend the chrysanthemums turned to a bed of delphiniums blue and geraniums red. The doctor next morning was rubbing his hands, and saying, There's nobody quite understands these cases as I do. The cure has begun. How fresh the chrysanthemums look at the sun! The doormouse lay happy. His eyes were so tight. He could see no chrysanthemums yellow or white, and all that he felt at the back of his head were delphiniums blue and geraniums red. And that is the reason, Aunt Emily said, if a doormouse gets in a chrysanthemum bed, you will find, so Aunt Emily says, that he lies fast asleep on his front with his paws to his eyes. Section 8 of When We Were Very Young This is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne. There's a cavern in the mountain where the old men meet, hammer, 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 her 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, chatter. They weave gold stockings for my lady's feet. Chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter. My lady is going to be 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 Nersig given us 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 norwester blows Christopher is certain of sand between the toes. The sea was galloping gray and white. Christopher clutched his sixpence tight. We clambered 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 norwester 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 air, in the eyes and the ears, and everywhere. Whenever a good norwester blows Christopher is found with sand between the toes. Nights and Ladies There is in my old picture book a page at which I like to look where knights in squires come riding down the cobbles of some steep old town and ladies from beneath the eaves flutter their bravest handkerchiefs, or smiling proudly, tossed 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 furs come marching two by two, I wonder if perhaps I might see suddenly a shining night winding his way from blue to green, exactly as it would have been these 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. 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 pressed to press, both motionless, they waited for the wind's caress. And all the water was at ease. End of section. Section 9 of When We Were Very Young. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne. Section 9. Halfway 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. Halfway 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 snows against the trees had covered up the violet and 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 you, 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. Emmeline! Emmeline, I didn't mean, ah, 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, Silly's, 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 ottoman. And generally seems to lack the energy to clamber back. Now, tubbiness is just the thing which gets a fellow wondering. And Teddy worried lots about the fact that he was rather stout. He thought, if only I were thin, but how does anyone begin? He thought, it really isn't fair to grudge me exercise and air. For many weeks he pressed in vain his nose against the window-pane and envied those who walked about reducing their unwanted stout. None of the people he could see is quite, he said, as fat as me. Then with a still more moving sigh, I mean, he said, as fat as I. Now Teddy, as was only right, slept in the ottoman at night, and with him crowded in as well more animals than I can tell. Not only these, but books and things, such as a kind relation brings, old tales of once upon a time and 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 certainly the man was fat. Nicknamed the handsome, not a doubt, 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. Is Louis so-and-so still living? Fashion's in beauty have a way of altering from day to day. Is handsome Louis with us yet? Unfortunately, I forget. 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 pane he pondered, but the lattice window, loosely shut, swung open, with one startled, oh! our teddy disappeared below. There happened to be passing by a plump man with a 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? 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? The other answered, I am that. Bowed stiffly and removed his hat. Then said, excuse me, with an air, but is it Mr. Edward Bear? 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, talk carelessly of this and that. Then said his Majesty, well, well, I must get on, and rang the bell. Your bear, 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. 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 blipped them on the head. On Wednesday and on Saturday, but mostly on the latter day, he called it all the cottages and this is what he said. 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 streets look tidy, he'd collect the passing villagers and kick them in the pond. I am Sir Brian, per splash. I am Sir Brian, spur-losh. I am Sir Brian, as bold as a lion. Is anyone else for a wash? Sir Brian woke one morning and he couldn't find his battle-axe. He walked into the village in his second pair of boots. He had gone a hundred paces when the street was full of faces and the villagers were rounding with ironical salutes. You are 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 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. You are Sir Brian, don't laugh. You are Sir Brian, don't cry. You are Sir Brian, as bold as a lion. Sir Brian the lion, good-bye. Sir Brian struggled home again and chopped up his battle-axe. Sir Brian took his fighting boots and threw them in the fire. He is quite a different person now. He hasn't got his spurs on and he goes about the village as Bebotany 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. End of section. Section 10 of When We Were Very Young This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording is by Mark Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina. When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne Section 10 In the Fashion A lion has a tail and a very fine tail. And so has an elephant and so has a whale. And so has a crocodile and so has a quail. They've all got tails but me. If I had six pence, 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'd 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 has 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 tortoise shell cat and he asks about this and explains about that. And at night he puts on a big wide-awake 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 padley places. Who's coming out with me? Every morning my new grace is, thank you, guys, for my nice 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 ants. I think if I were king of Greece 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 soldiers I'm the king. Vespers. Little boy kneels at the foot of the bed Droops on the little hands, 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 tonight? 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 can see nanny's dressing gown on the door. It's a 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 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 what can it be? Oh! Now I remember it. God bless, me. Little boy kneels at the foot of the bed Droops on the little hands, little gold head. Hush, hush. Whisper who dares. Christopher Robin is saying his prayers. End of section and end of book. Thank you for listening.