POOHSTICKS: A GAME BORN AT THE HOUSE OF POOH CORNER

david — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:17:00 +0000

I wondered where Poohsticks came from, so I tracked down a copy of The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne, and there on page 91 we find Pooh inventing the game, by accidentally dropping a fir cone off a bridge.

The story develops when Pooh, Rabbit, Roo and Piglet are throwing sticks (easier to mark than fir cones) but see Eeyore floating downstream too. Pooh throws a stone to try and ‘hoosh’ their friend to shore. All ends well, but why was Eeyore in the water at all? Better ask Tigger!

The book in my vid dates from 1958, when the work had already been reprinted 38 times. A good quality first edition is presently for sale on eBay at an asking price of nearly £600 GBP. Maybe it’s time to look in the loft!

Note that in the book, it’s ‘Poohsticks’ – one word!

The English Eye » Winnie the Pooh

POOHSTICKS: A GAME BORN AT THE HOUSE OF POOH CORNER