Part 1
# When we were very young ### By Milne, A. A. (Alan Alexander)
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WHEN WE WERE VERY YOUNG
[Illustration: HALFWAY DOWN]
when we were very young
by a.a.milne
e.p.dutton & co.
Copyright, 1924 By E. P. DUTTON COMPANY
_All rights reserved_
_First Published in 1924_
_First Edition Nov., 1924 Second Edition Dec., 1924 Third Edition 〃 1924 Fourth Edition 〃 1924 Fifth Edition 〃 1924 Sixth Edition 〃 1924 Seventh Edition 〃 1924 Eighth Edition Jan., 1925 Ninth Edition 〃 1925 Tenth Edition 〃 1925 Eleventh Edition 〃 1925 Twelfth Edition 〃 1925 Thirteenth Edition 〃 1925 Fourteenth Edition 〃 1925 Fifteenth Edition 〃 1925 Sixteenth Edition 〃 1925 Seventeenth Edition Mar., 1925 Eighteenth Edition 〃 1925 Nineteenth Edition 〃 1925 Twentieth Edition 〃 1925 Twenty-first Edition 〃 1925 Twenty-second Edition 〃 1925 Twenty-third Edition 〃 1925_
_Printed in the United States of America_
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 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 “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 can 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 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 Pooh; 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 Hoo? 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 Hoo. I don’t know if you have ever met Hoo, but he is one of those curious children who look four on Monday, and eight on Tuesday, and are really twenty-eight on Saturday, and you never know whether it is the day when he can pronounce his “r’s.” 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, Hoo, and Mr. Shepard, 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.”
A. A. M.
[Illustration: Boy walking away from bear sitting on a line]
CONTENTS
PAGE CORNER-OF-THE-STREET 1 BUCKINGHAM PALACE 2 HAPPINESS 4 THE CHRISTENING 5 PUPPY AND I 6 TWINKLETOES 9 THE FOUR FRIENDS 10 LINES AND SQUARES 12 BROWNIE 14 INDEPENDENCE 15 NURSERY CHAIRS 16 MARKET SQUARE 21 DAFFODOWNDILLY 28 WATER-LILIES 29 DISOBEDIENCE 30 SPRING MORNING 34 THE ISLAND 36 THE THREE FOXES 38 POLITENESS 41 JONATHAN JO 43 AT THE ZOO 46 RICE PUDDING 48 THE WRONG HOUSE 49 MISSING 52 THE KING’S BREAKFAST 55 HOPPITY 60 AT HOME 62 SUMMER AFTERNOON 65 THE DORMOUSE AND THE DOCTOR 66 SHOES AND STOCKINGS 71 SAND-BETWEEN-THE-TOES 73 KNIGHTS AND LADIES 75 LITTLE BO-PEEP AND LITTLE BOY-BLUE 76 THE MIRROR 79 HALFWAY DOWN 81 THE INVADERS 82 BEFORE TEA 83 TEDDY BEAR 85 BAD SIR BRIAN BOTANY 92 IN THE FASHION 95 THE ALCHEMIST 96 GROWING UP 97 IF I WERE KING 98 VESPERS[1] 99
[1: _This poem being in the Library of the Queen’s Dolls’ House, is printed here by special permission._]
WHEN WE WERE VERY YOUNG
[Illustration: Boy skipping followed by woman, with wind blowing leaves]
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 Nurse’s; One pair of slippers which are Percy’s . . . Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!
[Illustration: Woman and boy entering the palace gate]
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 a-signing 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 to, dear, but it’s time for tea,” Says Alice.
[Illustration: Boy saluting guard]
[Illustration: Ducks in the rain]
[Illustration: Boy wearing gumboots and rainhat]
[Illustration: Boy putting on raincoat]
HAPPINESS
John had Great Big Waterproof Boots on; John had a Great Big Waterproof Hat; John had a Great Big Waterproof Mackintosh— And that (Said John) Is That.
[Illustration: Boy standing in puddle with ducks in the rain]
[Illustration: Boy watching mouse on table]
THE CHRISTENING
What shall I call My dear little dormouse? His eyes are small, But his tail is e-nor-mouse.
I sometimes call him Terrible John, ’Cos his tail goes on— And on— And on. And I sometimes call him Terrible Jack, ’Cos his tail goes on to the end of his back. And I sometimes call him Terrible James, ’Cos he says he likes me calling him names. . . .
But I think I shall call him Jim, ’Cos I _am_ so fond of him.
PUPPY AND I
[Illustration: Boy talking with man]
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, to-day?” (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.”
[Illustration: Boy patting horse]
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.”
[Illustration: Boy talking with woman]
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.”
[Illustration: Boy with rabbits]
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 and play.” “_I’ll_ come with you, Puppy,” said I.
[Illustration: Boy playing with puppy]
[Illustration: Fairy and apple branch]
TWINKLETOES
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 Tip-toe, tip-toe! Here I go!
[Illustration: Elephant, lion, goat and snail]
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.
[Illustration: Snail crossing a brick]
[Illustration: Elephant trumpeting]
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 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 have mentioned, But James was only a snail.
[Illustration: Lion roaring]
[Illustration: Bears in wait on the footpath]
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!”
[Illustration: Bears on the footpath]
[Illustration: Boy walking past bears in a stairwell]
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!”
[Illustration: Boy standing in squares, with bear in the background]
[Illustration: Boy peeking behind curtain]
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. (Nanny says they’re tickly too.)
[Illustration: Boy astride branch]
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._
[Illustration: Boy in paper hat sitting in chair]
_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 to-day, I simply wave my hand. And then they turn and go away— They always understand.
[Illustration: Boy kneeling on chair scaring Nanny]
_The Second Chair._
I’m 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— And she doesn’t be so frightened any more.
[Illustration: Boy hugging Nanny]
[Illustration: Boy standing on chair, ships and ocean in background]
_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.
[Illustration: Boy seated at table]
_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?_
[Illustration: Woman offering boy a bunch of lavender]
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, ’cos I don’t want lavender?” But they hadn’t got a rabbit, not anywhere there.
[Illustration: Boy looking at fishmonger’s stall]
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! Tuppence for a fresh-caught mackerel!_”) “Have you got a rabbit, ’cos I don’t like mackerel?” But they hadn’t got a rabbit, not anywhere there.
[Illustration: Boy beside saucepan stall]
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 to the stall where they sold fine saucepans (“_Walk up, walk up, sixpence for a saucepan!_”). “Could I have a rabbit, ’cos we’ve got two saucepans?” But they hadn’t got a rabbit, not anywhere there.
[Illustration: Boy watching rabbits]
I had nuffin’, No, I hadn’t got nuffin’, 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, ’Cos they haven’t got a rabbit, not anywhere there!
[Illustration: Daffodils]
DAFFODOWNDILLY
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 neighbour: “Winter is dead.”
[Illustration: Fairy sitting on lilypad]
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 faint 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.
[Illustration: Boy with butterfly net]
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.”
[Illustration: Boy on tricycle following woman]
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 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 OF HER OWN ACCORD, SHE TRIED TO GET DOWN TO THE END OF THE TOWN—FORTY SHILLINGS REWARD!”
[Illustration: Boy talking with royalty]
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.”
[Illustration: Boy on tricycle leading woman]
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_)
J.J. M. M. W. G. Du P. Took great C/o his M***** Though he was only 3. J.J. Said to his M***** “M*****,” he said, said he: “You-must-never-go-down-to-the-end-of-the-town-if-you-don’t-go-down- with ME!”
[Illustration: Stern-faced boy on tricycle]
[Illustration: Boy flying kite]
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 to-day?”
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 to-day!”
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.
[Illustration: Boy examining blue-bells]
[Illustration: Boy on beach watching waves]
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! 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 coco-nut trees on the cliff’s green crown— Hands and knees To the coco-nut 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 sockses, But they all had handkerchiefs to blow their noses, And they kept their handkerchiefs in cardboard boxes.
[Illustration: Foxes asleep]
They lived in the forest in three little houses, And they didn’t wear coats, and they didn’t wear trousies. They ran through the woods on their little bare tootsies, And they played “Touch last” with a family of mouses.
[Illustration: Foxes fishing]
They didn’t go shopping in the High Street shopses, 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.
[Illustration: Foxes hunting]
They went to a Fair, and they all won prizes— Three plum-puddingses and three mince-pieses. They rode on elephants and swang on swingses, And hit three coco-nuts at coco-nut shieses.
[Illustration: Foxes at the fair]
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 trousies, And they didn’t wear stockings and they didn’t wear sockses.
[Illustration: Rear view of boy]
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 to-day?” I always answer, I always tell them, If they ask me Politely. . . . BUT SOMETIMES
I wish
That they wouldn’t.
[Illustration: Man wheeling boy and dog in barrow]
JONATHAN JO
Jonathan Jo Has a mouth like an “O” And a wheelbarrow full of surprises; If you ask for a bat, Or for something like that, He has got it, whatever the size is.
[Illustration: Man watching boy with cricket bat]
[Illustration: Man showing hoop to boy]
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.
[Illustration: Worried man watching dog with ball]
Jonathan Jo 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!_
[Illustration: Man seated with boy and dog]
[Illustration: Boy looking at hippo]
AT THE ZOO