By Dave Hunter, originally published in the journal "religious humanism", Vol. 44, No. 1.
In which Pooh and Piglet explore the 100-acre wood and the meaning of reverence. (apologies to A.A. Milne)
Pooh and Piglet are out for a walk.
Pooh: Christopher Robin wants me to join the Cub Scouts.
Piglet: What’s that?
Pooh: It’s sort of a club for young bears; they do things together.
Piglet: Sounds like fun.
Pooh: But you have to learn stuff.
Piglet: Like what?
Pooh: Like what is reverence.
They continue walking, quietly, then Pooh says:
Pooh: Piglet, we’re in the 100-acre wood.
Piglet: Why, so we are. Look at those trees.
Pooh: They’re so tall, I can’t see the tops of them.
Piglet: How do they make you feel?
Pooh: I don’t know. They’ve always been here. They’ll always be here. They’re awesome. I’m humbled. I’m speechless.
Piglet: Did you know that the trees provide homes for birds and bumble bees and badgers?
Pooh: What good trees. I just want to say thank you.
Piglet: How would you feel if someone wanted to cut them all down? Read more about Journal Article: Brave, Clean, and Reverent? »