A.A. Milne.
When I began primary school, I would often mix with the wrong crowd. I'd spend my time with children who were unruly and by extension, perceived by others to be, for want of a less annoying term, cool.

It got to the stage where my parents would desperately seek to instill a sense of right and wrong into me, whilst giving me guidance as to how different people have different qualities. Some perceived to be more desirable than others.

Eventually I was given Winnie the Pooh to read. Discovering that the different characters were, personality wise, so different yet full of great qualities and friendship eventually made me realise that I didn't have to hang around with people just because everyone thought that they were the dogs bollocks, but that everyone held their own special qualities. My circle of friends expanded rapidly.

In my teens, to remind myself of this childhood lesson, whilst hormones started to rage, anger grew and hairs sprouted, I got two stuffed toys. One tiger and one donkey, the very polar opposites in terms of character traits in Milnes world, but still best of friends.

They remained on my bedroom shelf collecting dust for years, serving a reminder of that important lesson and the importance of friends, no matter how much they differed to me. They remained in my old bedroom for some years after I had flown the nest. Eventually, my mum called and asked if I still wanted them, suggesting that I instead give them to my young Nephew.

Having thought about all they taught me, and all they could teach him as he grew, I eventually agreed to relinquish one of the toys. But I insisted that the toy that was the polar opposite of myself be kept as a reminder, so I instructed her; "Ma, Save Eeyore."
( Muns, Thu 9 May 2013, 13:54, 2 replies)

I only read to the end to see whether
a) there would be a terrible pun
or
B) you were a massive sissy / one of "those" women.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Thu 9 May 2013, 14:05, closed)

fffffuuuu
Right to the very end.
(gordonjcp, Thu 9 May 2013, 15:25, closed)