The Dormouse and the Doctor

The Dormouse and the Doctor

by A. A. Milne 1882-1956

There once was a Dormouse who lived in a bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red),
And all the day long he'd a wonderful view
Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).

A Doctor came hurrying round, and he said:
"Tut-tut, I am sorry to find you in bed.
Just say 'Ninety-nine' while I look at your chest....
Don't you find that chrysanthemums answer the best?

"The Dormouse looked round at the view and replied
(When he'd said "Ninety-nine") that he'd tried and he'd tried,
And much the most answering things that he knew
Were geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).

The Doctor stood frowning and shaking his head,
And he took up his shiny silk hat as he said:
"What the patient requires is a change," and he went
To see some chrysanthemum people in Kent.

The Dormouse lay there, and he gazed at the view
Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue),
And he knew there was nothing he wanted instead
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red).

The Doctor came back and, to show what he meant,
He had brought some chrysanthemum cuttings from Kent.
"Now these," he remarked, "give a much better view
Than geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).

"They took out their spades and they dug up the bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red),
And they planted chrysanthemums (yellow and white).
"And now," said the Doctor, "we'll soon have you right."

The Dormouse looked out, and he said with a sigh:
"I suppose all these people know better than I.
It was silly, perhaps, but I did like the view
Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).

"The Doctor came round and examined his chest,
And ordered him Nourishment, Tonics, and Rest.
"How very effective," he said, as he shook
The thermometer, "all these chrysanthemums look!

"The Dormouse turned over to shut out the sight
Of the endless chrysanthemums (yellow and white).
"How lovely," he thought, "to be back in a bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red.)

"The Doctor said, "Tut! It's another attack!"
And ordered him Milk and Massage-of-the-back,
And Freedom-from-worry and Drives-in-a-car,
And murmured, "How sweet your chrysanthemums are!

"The Dormouse lay there with his paws to his eyes,
And imagined himself such a pleasant surprise:
"I'll pretend the chrysanthemums turn to a bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red)!

"The Doctor next morning was rubbing his hands,
And saying, "There's nobody quite understands
These cases as I do! The cure has begun!
How fresh the chrysanthemums look in the sun!

"The Dormouse lay happy, his eyes were so tight
He could see no chrysanthemums, yellow or white.
And all that he felt at the back of his head
Were delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red).

And that is the reason (Aunt Emily said)
If a Dormouse gets in a chrysanthemum bed,
You will find (so Aunt Emily says) that he lies
Fast asleep on his front with his paws to his eyes.

Halloween!

"eeee!", "eeee!" . I am going to make sure I'm somewhere warm and friendly tonight!

This is an interesting site for finding out about all the special calendar days!

http://woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/calendar/oct07.htm

Ciao!

BOWSIE

Why was I called Bowsie? (Part 1)

..just at that moment a Robin landed beside me and said "I know. I was there when Emma and Jane found you fast asleep amongst the roses in the garden."

"Yes, you were", I said " I remember, now".

"Emma wanted to call you 'Rosie' because you were found amongst the rose bushes in the garden covered in petals." said Robin.

"Jane wanted to call me 'Dozey' because I kept falling asleep." I said.

"They couldn't agree on a name. Then they took you indoors, so I don't know what happened next", said Robin and flew off.

"I remember" I said...

Naming a Dormouse

Pooh's friend, A. A. Milne, also had trouble naming his dormouse:

The Christening

by A.A.Milne 1882-1956

What shall I call
My dear little dormouse?
His eyes are small,
But his tail is e-nor-mouse.

I sometimes call him Terrible John,
'Cos his tail goes on -
And on -
And on.

And I sometimes call him Terrible Jack,
'Cos his tail goes on to the end of his back.

And I sometimes call him Terrible James,
'Cos he says he likes me calling him names...

But I think I shall call him Jim,'Cos I am fond of him.

My Friend Trevor

Today, I was walking along the river bank with my friend Trevor, the Water Vole.

This is a picture of him.

We've been friends for a long time, but Trevor didn't know how I got my name Bowsie.

"How did you get the name Bowsie?" he asked "Most of the dormice I know are called Sleepy or something like that".

"I was nearly called something like Sleepy, too. " I said "Luckily I was given this very special name by Emma and Jane when they adopted me."

"Let's sit down here and I'll tell you how it happened... "

Winter Quarters

Hi Everybody

Good News. I have found somewhere to stay this winter. Emma has offered me her sock drawer.

So I'm going to be a 'Country Dormouse' for a while.

Thank you Emma.

Ciao

BOWSIE

The Elf and the Dormouse

... and here's the picture that goes with that Nursery Rhyme:

The Naughty Elf (By Oliver Herford)

Here is a little Nursery Rhyme about an Elf and a Dormouse:


Under a toadstool crept a wee elf,
out of the rain to shelter himself.

Under the toadstool, sound asleep,
lay a big dormouse, all in a heap.

Trembled the wee elf, frightened and yet
fearing to fly away lest he get wet.

To the next shelter? Maybe a mile:
sudden the wee elf smiled a wee smile,

tugged 'til the toadstool toppled in two,
and holding it over him away he flew.

Soon he was safe at home, dry as could be.
Soon woke the dormouse- "Good gracious me!

Where is my toadstool?" loud he lamented.
And that's how umbrellas first were invented.

Winter - time for snoozing!

Yes. It's nearly winter again and I'm feeling a bit sleepy!

It would be lovely to find a nice place to spend the winter.

I wonder if Emma and Jane will look after me?

Let's find out...

BOWSIE

Hi! I'm back!

Hallo!

Yes. It's me Bowsie!

How are you?

I've been away for a while, but now I'm back and I've decided to keep a diary.

So watch this space!

Ciao
BOWSIE