One morning, Winnie-the-Pooh, affectionately known as Pooh Bear, was wandering through the Hundred Acre Wood. As he walked, he cheerfully hummed a little tune he had made up during his morning exercises. Suddenly, he came across a sandy bank with a large hole in it. Being a curious and sociable bear, he thought to himself, “That hole belongs to Rabbit, and visiting Rabbit means company, and company often means something to eat.”

Pooh bent down and called into the hole, “Is anybody at home?” A voice responded that nobody was there. Confused but undeterred, Pooh reasoned that if someone was saying nobody was home, then somebody must be inside. He called out again, and after a bit of back and forth, Rabbit admitted he was there and invited Pooh inside.

Once inside Rabbit’s cozy home, Pooh was offered a snack. Rabbit asked if he’d like honey or condensed milk with his bread. Delighted, Pooh asked for both but politely declined the bread to avoid seeming greedy. He enjoyed a hearty feast, indulging in his favorite treats.

After eating his fill, Pooh decided it was time to leave. He thanked Rabbit and headed for the front door. Pooh began to climb out of the hole, but halfway through, he found himself stuck. He pushed and pulled, but he couldn’t move forward or backward. Rabbit tried to help by pulling on his paws, but it was no use—Pooh was firmly wedged in the doorway.

Realizing the predicament, Rabbit decided to fetch Christopher Robin for assistance. When Christopher Robin arrived, he assessed the situation thoughtfully. He gently explained to Pooh that they would have to wait until he became thinner before he could get out, which meant Pooh would need to stay there for a week without eating.

During that week, Christopher Robin kept Pooh company, reading stories to him to pass the time. Rabbit, making the best of the situation, used Pooh’s back legs as a towel rack for his laundry. Pooh, though uncomfortable, endured the wait with as much patience as he could muster.

Finally, after seven days, Pooh had slimmed down enough for them to attempt freeing him. Christopher Robin, Rabbit, and all of Rabbit’s friends and relations gathered to help. They all pulled together with a mighty heave. With a sudden pop, Pooh was yanked free from the hole, sending everyone tumbling backward.

Overjoyed to be unstuck, Pooh thanked his friends for their help. As he walked away, he resumed humming his cheerful tune, feeling quite pleased with himself. Christopher Robin watched him go with affection and amusement, softly calling after him, “Silly old Bear!”

Go to chapter 3 of Winnie-the-Pooh