What We Learn from the Winnie the Pooh Characters

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After watching Pooh’s Heffalump movie dozens upon dozens of times (yes, I have a most insistent grandson), I became aware that the characters portrayed therein were a lot like the sort of characters we meet in everyday life. I realized we can learn something about everyday people from the Winnie the Pooh characters! Who are the characters? We have Rabbit, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga and Roo, Lumpy the Heffalump, and his “mum.” Rabbit is the organizer. The others look to him for leadership. Not overly smart, he is confident and brave when it is convenient. Unfortunately, he is proud and bossy. But he can be reached. He can be readjusted. Tigger is brash and assertive but he is not haughty. Though he is not a leader, he is not far behind. He is, perhaps, not the brightest star in the firmament. He is loyal. Winnie the Pooh. Ah, Winnie the Pooh! He is driven by his stomach. A jolly, fat fellow, Winnie is a nonchalant follower. He is good-natured, even considerate. What about Piglet? A most diminutive fellow, Piglet is exceedingly anxious, worried. But he is also eminently empathetic. He is in tune with the feelings of others almost as much as his own. Piglet is a most gentle soul. Eeyore makes very negative, demeaning expressions about himself, but he is never negative toward others. He views them as superior to himself. Slow moving, Eeyore is willing to cooperate for the common good. Unfortunately, he does believe in Fate. Kanga the kangaroo is the consummate mother figure. She is soft and seeks the benefit of others. Although she isn’t generally aware of her surroundings, if they are pointed out to her, she does what she can to alleviate problems and to mend relationships. Roo is the most interesting! He is very young. He is very talkative. He sees no hurdles in front of him. He also is very observant and unprejudiced in his outlook. Everyone ignores him. He was the unlikely hero of the Heffalump movie. What do we learn? All these characters lived side-by-side. They all enjoyed each other’s company, despite major shortcomings. They all failed to recognize the truth when it presented itself. Can we strive for the positive qualities of each of the characters, while, as far as it is reasonable to do so, overlooking their shortcomings, putting up with one another and enjoying each other’s company?