"Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump, on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin. It is, as far as he knows, the only way of coming downstairs, but sometimes he feels that there really is another way, if only he could stop bumping for a moment and think of it. And then he feels that perhaps there isn't. Anyhow, here he is at the bottom, and ready to be introduced to you. Winnie the Pooh." How many times have we read that and thought it so cute, and then proceed to read about our favorite little black rain cloud? It struck me just now as I reread it for perhaps the thousandth time that this is one of the best literary introductions I've ever read. First, it introduces the two main characters. Then it succinctly captures the essence of the character of Pooh. And it does so with an allegory that sets the stage for the allegorical genius that pervades the rest of the stories. All in one paragraph. Everything that makes the Pooh stories all that they are are crammed neatly into that one paragraph. It was the allegorical aspect that caught my attention this time. Cause Lord knows, I'm so sick and tired of bumping my head upside the stairs! And I'm sure there must be another way, but I'm too busy bumping to think of it! When will somebody stop the madness? The problem is that there is a big difference between me and Pooh. Pooh has nothing but fluff in his head. Mine sort of takes less kindly to bumping. Yeah, OK, keep your comments to yourself :-) Well, I prolly just made a whole lot of no sense, but that's OK. Maybe it was just too much bumping. -CR