“We’ll be friends forever, won’t we, Pooh?" asked Piglet.
"Even longer," Pooh answered.
Everyone needs a gang of friends like those of the Hundred Acre Wood! Although Winnie the Pooh and his friends are very different from one another, what each brings to Pooh’s life is what fills his pot of honey.
Christopher Robin, the only “human” friend of Pooh and the rest of the crew, is the person upon whom everyone can rely in times of trouble. Though Christopher Robin is just a boy, he is very much an adult figure in the life of Pooh and the others. We all need a friend like Christopher Robin who is a stable and mature influence, a friend who will advise us when things go wrong, and a friend who is wiser than his or her years.
Piglet is Pooh’s dearest friend. Though small in stature, Piglet makes up for it in the size of his heart. Piglet can be overwhelmed by anxiety, particularly about the unknown. But the greatest thing about this little pink guy is that he will conquer any fear to stand tall and support his friends. Everyone needs a friend like Piglet who will set aside his or her own worries to lend a hand.
Tigger is the type of friend who is an absolute necessity when things get slightly dark and disheartening in our lives. He is a hyperactive tiger who cannot stay still and, instead, bounces his way through the Hundred Acre Wood, because that's "what Tiggers do best." Tigger’s bounciness is not just physical. He has a certain joie de vivre, which is contagious. If we all had a friend like Tigger, it would be impossible to be down for very long.
Although he is more often cranky than not, having a friend who is not particularly “friendly” still has its benefits. Rabbit’s grumpiness stems from any imposition on his desire to keep his life serene and orderly. Having a friend like Rabbit is actually quite beneficial because these are qualities which we should all strive to admire and emulate.
Eeyore is a wretched sack of a donkey, but loveable none the less. He seems to have a black cloud that hangs over him, but he keeps on going. There are two good reasons for having a friend like Eeyore. First, these sorts of people need others to pick them up when they fall, and someone like Eeyore in your life means you will learn to be a caring and compassionate person. Second, though sad to say, the “Eeyore” in your life will make your days seem bright, even in the darkest of times.
Owl purports to be wise, but his advice is often misguided. The best thing about Owl is that he is a voracious reader and the sort of friend that can offer tidbits of information, useful or not!
Kanga, Roo’s kangaroo mom, is just the sort of friend that we need when we would prefer not to confide in our real mothers, but we need the security and sagacity of an older woman. This type of friend will offer comfort without judgment.
Choosing your friends wisely isn't necessarily a task that you set out to achieve, but if you keep your eyes open for chums like Winnie the Pooh's, you will be set for life!
