Classic Audiobook Collection - Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne ~ Full Audiobook [poetry]

Episode Date: February 9, 2024

Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne audiobook. Genre: poetry Now We Are Six is A. A. Milne's beloved collection of children's poems that captures the bright, odd, and perfectly serious logic of being young. Framed by the milestone of turning six, these verses wander through a child's daily world of games, pretend adventures, small worries, and sudden wonders, where a bear can be a companion, a shadow can become a mystery, and the simplest question deserves a grand investigation. With Milne's gentle wit and musical language, each poem offers a tiny story: a moment of mischief, a burst of bravery, a fit of sulking, or a quiet bedtime thought. The child at the center of these pieces (often associated with Christopher Robin) meets grown-up rules with curiosity and cheerful rebellion, while parents, animals, and toys drift in and out as co-stars. Warm, funny, and unexpectedly tender, Now We Are Six explores imagination, family life, and the bittersweet feeling of getting bigger while still wanting the world to stay enchanted. For ad-free listening try our premium subscription Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 01 (00:03:23) Chapter 02 (00:04:01) Chapter 03 (00:08:23) Chapter 04 (00:10:27) Chapter 05 (00:12:11) Chapter 06 (00:14:27) Chapter 07 (00:15:31) Chapter 08 (00:19:44) Chapter 09 (00:20:42) Chapter 10 (00:22:02) Chapter 11 (00:24:02) Chapter 12 (00:26:50) Chapter 13 (00:27:36) Chapter 14 (00:28:21) Chapter 15 (00:29:14) Chapter 16 (00:31:13) Chapter 17 (00:33:25) Chapter 18 (00:34:12) Chapter 19 (00:35:32) Chapter 20 (00:36:33) Chapter 21 (00:39:12) Chapter 22 (00:40:04) Chapter 23 (00:41:28) Chapter 24 (00:41:57) Chapter 25 (00:46:07) Chapter 26 (00:46:41) Chapter 27 (00:48:36) Chapter 28 (00:50:31) Chapter 29 (00:51:11) Chapter 30 (00:52:04) Chapter 31 (00:53:32) Chapter 32 (00:54:59) Chapter 33 (00:55:52) Chapter 34 (00:58:10) Chapter 35 (00:59:48) Chapter 36 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now We Are Six by A. A. Mell. Dedication and Introduction. To Anne Darlington, now she is seven, and because she is so special. Introduction. When you are reciting poetry, which is a thing we never do, you find sometimes, just as you are beginning, that Uncle John is still telling Aunt Rose that if he can't find his spectacles, he won't be able to hear, properly, and does she know where they are? And by the time everybody has stopped looking for them, you are at the last verse, and in another minute they will be saying, thank you, thank you, without really knowing what it was all about. So next time you are more careful. And just before you begin, you say, ahem, very loudly, which means, now then, here we are. And everybody stops talking and looks at you, which is what you want. So then you get in the way of saying it whenever you are asked to recite,

and sometimes it is just as well, and sometimes it isn't. And by and by you find yourself saying it without thinking. Well, this bit, which I am writing now, called Introduction, is really the, ha-ah-ham, of the book, and I have put it in, partly so as not to take you by surprise, and partly because I can't do without it now. there are some very clever writers who say that it is quite easy not to have an but i don't agree with them i think it is much easier not to have all the rest of the book

what i want to explain in the introduction is this we have been nearly three years writing this book we began it when we were very young and now we are six so of course bits of it seem rather babyish to us, almost as if they had slipped out of some other book by mistake. On page, whatever it is, there is a thing which is simply three-ish, and when we read it to ourselves just now, we said, well, well, well, and turned over rather quickly. So we want you to know that the name of the book doesn't mean that this is us being six all the time, but that it is about as far as we've got at present, and we half think of stopping. there. A. A. Milne. P.S. Poe wants us to say that he thought it was a different book,

and he hopes you won't mind, but he walked through it one day, looking for his friend Piglet, and sat down on some of the pages by mistake. End of dedication and introduction. Section 2 of Now We Are 6 by A.A. Milne. Solitude. I have a house where I go when there's too many people. I have a house where I go where no one can be. I have a house where I go where nobody ever says no, where no one says anything, so there is no one but me. End of Solitude.

Section 3 of Now We Are 6 by A.A. Mill. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. King John's Christmas. King John was not a good man. He had his little ways, and sometimes no one spoke to him for days and days and days, and men who came across him, when walking in the town, gave him a supercilious stare or passed with noses in the air, and bad King John stood dumbly there, blushing beneath his crown. King John was not a good man, and no good friends had he. He stayed in every afternoon, but no one came to tea, and round about December, the cards upon his shelf, which wished him lots of Christmas cheer and fortune in the coming year, were never from his near and dear, but only from himself. King John was not a good man,

yet had his hopes and fears. They'd given him no present now, for years. and years and years. But every year at Christmas, while minstrels stood about, collecting tribute from the young for all the songs they might have sung, he stole away upstairs and hung a hopeful stalking out. King John was not a good man. He lived his life aloof. Alone he thought a message out while climbing up the roof. He wrote it down and propped it against the chimney-stack, to all and sundry, near and far, F. Christmas in particular, and signed it not Johannes R, but very humbly Jack. I want some crackers, and I want some candy. I think a box of chocolates would come in handy. I don't mind oranges, I do like nuts, and I should like a pocket-knife that really cuts.

Oh, Father Christmas, if you love me at all. Bring me a big red India rubber ball. King John was not a good man. He wrote this message out, and got him to his room again, descending by the spout. And all that night he lay there, a prey to hopes and fears.

I think that's him a-coming now, anxiety bedewed his brow. He'll bring one present anyhow, the first I've had for years. forget about the crackers and forget about the candy i'm sure a box of chocolates would never come in handy i don't like oranges i don't want nuts and i have got a pocket-knife that almost cuts but oh father christmas if you love me at all bring me a big red india rubber ball king john was not a good man next morning when the sun rose up to tell a waiting world that christmas had begun done, and people seized their stockings and opened them with glee, and crackers, toys, and games appeared, and lips with sticky sweets were smeared. King John said grimly, as I feared,

nothing again for me. I did want crackers, and I did want candy. I know a box of chocolates would come in handy. I do love oranges. I did want nuts. I haven't got a pocket-knife, not one that cuts. And oh, if Father Christmas had loved me at all, he would have brought a big red India rubber ball. King John stood by the window and frowned to see below, the happy bands of boys and girls all playing in the snow. A while he stood there watching, and envying them all, when through the window, big and red, they're hurtled by his royal head and bounced and fell upon the bed, an India rubber ball.

And, oh, Father Christmas, my blessings on you fall, for bringing him a big red, India rubber ball. End of King John's Christmas. Section 4 of Now We Are 6

by A.A. Mill. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Busy. I think I am a muffin man. I haven't got a bell. I haven't got the muffin things that muffin people sell. Perhaps I am a postman. No, I think I am a tram. I'm feeling rather funny, and I don't know what I am. But, round about and round about and round about I go, all round the table, the table in the nursery,

round about and round about and round about I go. I think I am a traveller, escaping, from a bear. I think I am an elephant, behind another elephant, behind another elephant who isn't really there. So, round about and round about and round about and round about and round about and round about and round about I go. I think I am a ticket man who's selling tickets, please. I think I am a doctor who is visiting a sneeze. Perhaps I'm just a nanny who is walking with a pram. I'm feeling rather funny, and I don't know what I am. But round about and round about and round about I go, all around the table, the table in the nursery,

round about and round about and round about I go. I think I am a puppy, so I'm hanging out my tongue. I think I am a camel, who is looking for a camel, who is looking for a camel who is looking for its young so round about and round about and round about and round about and round about and round about i go end of busy section five of now we are six by a a m'am this librevox recording is in the public domain Sneezles Christopher Robin had weasels and sneezes. They bundled him into his bed. They gave him what goes with a cold in the nose

and some more for a cold in the head. They wondered if weasels could turn into measles, if sneezles would turn into mumps. They examined his chest for a rash and the rest of his body for swellings and lumps. They sent for some doctors, sneezles and weasels, to tell them what ought to be done,

All sorts and conditions of famous physicians came hurrying round at a run. They all made a note of the state of his throat. They asked if he suffered from thirst. They asked if the sneezles came after the weasels, or if the first sneezal came first. They said, if you teasel, a sneeze or weasel, a measle may easily grow. But humor or pleasel, the weasel or sneeze,

the measle will certainly go. They expounded the reesels for sneezes and weasels, the manner of measles when new. They said if he frizzles, in draughts and in breezels, then Sizzles may even ensue. Christopher Robin got up in the morning. The Sneasles had vanished away, and the look in his eyes seemed to say to the sky, Now, how to amuse them today. End of Sneasles.

Section 6 of Now We Are 6 by A.A. Mill. This Libra Box recording is in the public domain. Binker Binker, what I call him, is a secret of my own, and Binker is the reason why I never feel alone. Playing in the nursery, sitting on the stair, whatever I am busy at, Binker will be there. Oh, Daddy is clever, he's a clever sort of man, and Mummy is the best since the world began, and Nanny is Nanny, and I call her Nann, but they can't see Binker. Binker's always talking, because I'm teaching him to speak. He sometimes likes to do it in a funny

sort of squeak, and he sometimes likes to do it in a huddling sort of roar, and I have to do it for him because his throat is rather sore. Oh, Daddy is clever, he's a clever sort of man, and Mummy knows all that anybody can. And Nanny. Nanny is Nanny, and I call her Nann. But they don't know Binker. Binker's brave as lions when we're running in the park. Binker's brave as tigers when we're lying in the dark. Binker's brave as elephants. He never, never cries.

Except, like other people, when the soap gets in his eyes. Oh, Daddy is Daddy, he's a daddy sort of man. And Mummy is as mummy as anybody can. And Nanny is Nanny, and I call her nanny. nan, but they're not like Binker. Binker isn't greedy, but he does like things to eat, so I have to say to people when they're giving me a sweet, oh, Binker wants a chocolate, so could you give me two? And then I eat it for him, because his teeth are rather new. Well, I'm very fond of daddy, but he hasn't time to play, and I'm very fond of mummy, but she sometimes goes away.

and I'm often cross with Nanny when she wants to brush my hair. But Binker's always Binker, and is certain to be there. End of Binker! Section 7 of Now We Are 6 by A.A. Milne. This Libra Box recording is in the public domain. Cherry Stones Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Sailor, Rich Man, Prow Boy Thief. And what about a cowboy, policeman, jailer, engine driver, or pirate chief?

What about a postman or a keeper at the zoo? What about the circus man who lets the people through? And the man who takes the pennies for the roundabouts and swings. Or the man who plays the organ and the other man who sings? What about a conjurer with rabbits in his pockets? What about a rocket man who's always making rockets? Oh, there's such a lot of things to do, and such a lot to be, that there's always lots of cherries on my little cherry tree.

End of Cherry Stones. Section 8 of Now We Are 6 by A.A. Mill. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. The knight whose armor didn't squeak. Of all the knights in Appledore, the wisest was Sir Thomas Tom. He multiplied as far as four, and knew what nine was taken from, to make eleven. He could write a letter to another knight. No other knight in all the land could do the things which he could do.

Not only did he understand the way to polish swords, but knew what remedy a knight should seek, whose armor had begun to squeak. And if he didn't fight too much, it wasn't that he did not care, for blips, and buffetings and such, but felt that it was hardly fair, to risk by frequent injuries, a brain as delicate as his. His castle, Castle Tom, was set conveniently on a hill, and daily when it wasn't wet, he paced the battlements until, some smaller knight who couldn't swim, should reach the moat and challenge him, or sometimes feeling full of fight, he hurried out to scour the plain, and seeing some approaching night, he either hurried home again or hid,

and when the foe was passed, blew a triumphant trumpet blast. One day when good Sir Thomas Tom was resting in a handy ditch, the noises he was hiding from, though very much the noises which he'd always hidden from before, seemed somehow less, or was it more? The trotting horse, the trumpets blast, the whistling sword, the armors squeak. These, and especially the last, had clattered by him all the week.

Was this the same, or was it not? Something was different, but what? Sir Thomas raised a cautious ear, and listened as Sir Hugh went by, and suddenly he seemed to hear, or not to hear, the reason why this stranger made a nicer sound than other knights who lived around. Sir Thomas watched the way he went. His rage was such he couldn't speak. For years they'd called him down in Kent. The knight whose armor didn't squeak. Yet here and now he looked upon,

another knight whose squeak had gone. He rushed to where his horse was tied. He spurred it to a rapid trot. The only fear he felt inside about his enemy was not, how sharp his sword, how stout his heart, but has he got too long a start? Sir Hugh was singing hand on hip, when something sudden came along and caught him a terrific blip right in the middle of his song. A thunderstorm, he thought, of course, and toppled gently off his horse. Then said the good good Sir Thomas Tom, dismounting with a friendly air, Allow me to extract you from the heavy armor that you wear. At times like these, the bravest knight may find his armor much too tight.

A hundred yards or so beyond the scene of brave Sir Hugh's defeat, Sir Thomas found a useful pond, and, careful not to wet his feet, he brought the armor to the brink and flung it in, and watched it sink. So ever after, more and more, the men of Kent would proudly speak of Thomas Tom of Appledore, the knight whose armor didn't squeak,

whilst Hugh, the knight who gave him best, squeaks just as badly as the rest. End of the knight whose armor didn't squeak. Section 9 of Now We Are Six, by A.A. Milne. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Buttercup days. Where is Anne?

Head above the buttercups, walking by the stream. Down among the buttercups. Where is Anne? Walking with her man. Lost in a dream. Lost among the buttercups. What has she got in that little brown head? Wonderful thoughts which can never be said.

What has she got in that firm little. fist of hers. Somebody's thumb and it feels like Christopher's. Where is Anne? Close to her man. Brownhead, goldhead. In and out the buttercups. End of Buttercup Days. Section 10 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. The charcoal burner. The charcoal burner has tales to tell. He lives in the forest, alone in the forest. He sits in the forest, alone in the forest. And the sun comes slanting between the trees, and rabbits come up, and they give him good morning, and rabbits come up and say beautiful morning, and the moon swings clear of the tall black

trees, and owls fly over and wish him good night, quietly over to wish him good night. And he sits and thinks of the things they know, He and the forest alone together, The springs that come and the summers that go, Autumn dew on Bracken and heather, The drip of the forest beneath the snow, All the things they have seen, all the things they have heard, An April sky swept clean in the song of a bird.

Oh, the charcoal burner has tales to tell, and he lives in the forest and knows us well. End of the charcoal burner. Section 11 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne. This Libro box recording is in the public domain. Us too. Wherever I am, there's always poo. There's always poo and me.

Whatever I do, he wants to do. Where are you going today? says Pooh. Well, that's very odd, because I was, too. Let's go together, says Pooh, says he. Let's go together, says Pooh. What's twice eleven? I said to Pooh. Twice what, said Pooh to me. I think it ought to be 22.

Just what I think myself, said Pooh. It wasn't an easy sum to do, but that's what it is, said Pooh, said he. That's what it is, said Pooh. Let's look for dragons, I said to Poo. Yes, let's, said Poo to me. We crossed the river and found a few. Yes, those are dragons all right, said Poo. As soon as I saw their beaks, I knew.

That's what they are, said Poo, said he. That's what they are, said Poo. Let's frighten the dragons, I said to Poo. That's right, said Poo to me. I'm not afraid, I said to Poo, and I held his paw, and I shouted, shoo, silly old dragons, and off they flew. I wasn't afraid, said Pooh, said he. I'm never afraid with you.

So wherever I am, there's always Pooh, there's always Pooh and me. What would I do, I said to Pooh, if it wasn't for you, and Pooh said true. It isn't much fun for one, but two can stick together, says Pooh, says he. That's how it is, said. us poo. End of Us 2. Section 12 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Mill. This Libravox recording is in the public domain.

The Old Sailor There was once an old sailor my grandfather knew, who had so many things which he wanted to do, that whenever he thought it was time to begin, he couldn't because of the state he was in. He was shipwrecked and lived on an island for weeks, and he wanted a hat and he wanted some breeks, and he wanted some nets or a line and some hooks,

for the turtles and things which you read of in books. And thinking of this, he remembered a thing which he wanted for water, and that was a spring, and he thought that to talk to he'd look for and keep, if he found it, a goat or some chickens and sheep. Then, because of the weather, he wanted a hut, with a door to come in by, which opened and shut, with a jerk which was useful if snakes were about and a very strong lock to keep savages out.

He began on the fish hooks, and when he'd begun, he decided he couldn't because of the sun, so he knew what he ought to begin with, and that was to find or to make a large sun-stopping hat. He was making the hat with some leaves from a tree, when he thought, I'm as hot as a body can be, and I've nothing to take from my terrible thirst, so I'll look for a spring, and I'll look for it first. Then he thought as he started, Oh dear and oh dear, I'll be lonely tomorrow with nobody here. So he made in his notebook a couple of notes,

I must first find some chickens, and, no, I mean goats. He had just seen a goat, which he knew by the shape, when he thought, but I must have a boat for escape. But a boat needs a sea. sail, which means needles and thread, so I'd better sit down and make needles instead. He began on a needle, but thought as he worked, that if this was an island where savages lurked, sitting safe in his hut, he'd have nothing to fear, whereas now they might suddenly breathe in his ear. So he thought of his hut, and he thought of his boat, and his hat and his breeks,

and his chickens and goat, and the hooks for his food, and the spring for his thirst, but he never could think which he ought to do first. And so in the end he did nothing at all, but basked on a shingle wrapped up in a shawl. And I think it was dreadful the way he behaved. He did nothing but basking until he was saved. End of the Old Sailor. Section 13 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Mill.

This Libro Box recording is in the public domain. The Engineer. Let it rain, who cares. I have a train upstairs with a break which I make from a string sort of thing, which works in jerks because it drops in the spring, which stops with the string, and the wheels all stick, so quick that it feels like a thing that you make with a break, not string. So that's what I make when the day's all wet. It's a good sort of break, but it hasn't worked yet. End of the Engineer Section 14 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne.

This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Journey's End Christopher Christopher, where are you going, Christopher Robin? Just up to the top of the hill, upping and upping until, I am right on the top of the hill, said Christopher Robin. Christopher, Christopher, Christopher, Why are you going, Christopher Robin?

There's nothing to see, so when, you've got to the top, what then? Just down to the bottom again, said Christopher Robin. End of Journey's End. Section 15 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Furry Bear If I were a bear and a big bear too, I shouldn't much care if it froze or snoo. I shouldn't much mind if it snowed or frizz. I'd be all fur-lined

with a coat like his. For I'd have fur boots and a brown fur wrap and brown fur knickers and a big fur cap. I'd have a fur muffleruff to cover my jaws and brown fur mittens on my big brown paws. With a big brown furry down up to my head, I'd sleep all the winter in a big fur bed. End of Furry Bear. Section 16 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Melm. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Forgiven. I found a little beetle so that beetle was his name,

and I called him Alexander, and he answered just the same. I put him in a matchbox, and I kept him all the day. And Nanny let my beetle out. Yes, Nanny let my beetle out. and let my beetle out, and beetle ran away. She said she didn't mean it, and I never said she did. She said she wanted matches, and she just took off the lid. She said that she was sorry, but it's difficult to catch, an excited sort of beetle you've mistaken for a match. She said that she was sorry, and I really mustn't mind, as there's lots and lots of beetles,

which she's certain we could find, if we looked about the garden for the holes where beetles hid, and we get another matchbox and write beetle on the lid. We went to all the places which a beetle might be near, and we made sort of noises which a beetle likes to hear, and I saw a kind of something, and I gave a sort of shout, A beetle house and Alexander Beetle coming out. It was Alexander Beetle, I'm as certain as can be, and he had a sort of look as if he thought it must be me,

and he had a sort of look as if he thought he ought to say, I'm very, very sorry that I tried to run away. And Nanny's very sorry, too, for you know what she did, and she's writing Alexander very blackly on the lid. So Nan and me are friends, because it's difficult to catch, and excited Alexander you've mistaken for a match. End of Forgiven. Section 17.

of Now We Are Six by A. Mell This Libra Box recording is in the public domain. The Emperor's Rime The King of Peru, who was Emperor too, had a sort of a rhyme which was useful to know. If he felt very shy when a stranger came by, or they asked him the time when his watch didn't go, or supposing he fell, by mistake, down a well,

or he tumbled when skating and sat on his hat, or perhaps wasn't told till his porridge was cold that his breakfast was waiting or something like that. Oh, whenever the emperor got into a temperer felt himself sulky or sad, he would murmur and murmur until he felt firmer, this curious rhyme which he had. Eight-eights are sixty-four, multiply by seven. When it's done, carry one and take away eleven. nine-nines are 81, multiply by three. If it's more, carry four, and then it's time for tea. So whenever the queen took his armor to clean, and she didn't remember to use any starch, or his birthday in May was a horrible day being wet as November and windy as March.

Or if sitting in state with the wise and the great, he just happened to hiccup while signing his name, or the queen gave a cough when his crown tumbled off. as he bent down to pick up a pen for the same oh whenever the emperor got into a temperer felt himself awkward and shy he would whisper and whisper until he felt crisper this odd little rhyme to the sky eight eights are eighty one multiply by seven if it's more carry four and take away eleven nine nines are sixty four multiply by three when it's done carry one, and then it's time for tea. End of the Emperor's Rime. Section 18 of Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne. This Libravox recording is in the public domain.

Night in armour. Whenever I'm a shining knight, I buckle on my armor tight, and then I look about for things, like rushings out and rescuings, and savings from the dragon's lair and fighting all the dragons there. And sometimes when our fights begin, I think I'll let the dragons win. And then I think perhaps I won't, because they're dragons. And I don't. End of Night in Armour.

Section 19 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Mill. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Come out with me. There's sun on the river and sun on the hill. You can hear the sea if you stand quite still. There's eight new puppies at Roundabout farm, and I saw a sailor with only one arm. But everyone says, run along, run along, run along.

All of them say, run along, I'm busy as can be. Everyone says, run along. There's a little darling. If I'm a little darling, why don't they run with me? there's wind on the river and wind on the hill there's a dark dead water-wheel under the mill i saw a fly which had just been drowned and i know where a rabbit goes into the ground but everyone says run along run along run along all of them say yes dear and never notice me everyone says run along there's a little darling if i'm a little darling why won't they come and see End of Come Out With Me. Section 20 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne.

This Librovox recording is in the public domain. Down by the pond. I'm fishing. Don't talk, anybody. Don't come near. Can't you see that the fish might hear? He thinks I'm playing with a piece of string. He thinks I'm another sort of funny sort of thing. but he doesn't know I'm fishing. He doesn't know I'm fishing. That's what I'm doing. Fishing. No, I'm not. I'm newting. Don't cough anybody, don't come by. Any small noise makes a newt feel shy. He thinks I'm a bush or a new sort of tree. He thinks it's somebody but doesn't think it's me. And he doesn't know I'm newting. No, he doesn't know I'm newting. That's what I'm doing.

newting. End of Down by the Pond. Section 21 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Melm. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. The Little Black Hen Burryman and Baxter, Pretty Boy and Penn, and Old Farmer Middleton are five big men, and all of them were after the Little Black Hen.

She ran quickly. They ran fast. Baxter was first and Barryman was last. I sat and watched by the old plum tree. She squawked through the hedge and she came to me. The little black hen said, oh, it's you. I said, thank you. How do you do? And please will you tell me, little black hen, what did they want, those five big men? The little black hen, she said to me, They want me to lay them an egg for tea. If they were emperors, if they were kings, I'm much too busy to lay them things. I'm not a king, and I haven't a crown.

I climb up trees, and I tumble down. I can shut one eye, I can count to ten. So lay me an egg, please, little black hen. The little black hen said, What will you pay if I lay you an egg for Easter Day? I'll give you a please and a half-and-a-house. How do you do? I'll show you the bear who lives in the zoo. I'll show you the nettle place on my leg if you'll lay me a great big eastery egg. The little black hen said I don't care for a how do you

do or a big brown bear, but I'll lay you a beautiful eastery egg if you'll show me the nettle place on your leg. I showed her the place where I had my sting. She touched it gently with one black wing. Nettles don't hurt if you count to ten, and now for the egg, said the little black hen. When I wake up on Easter day, I shall see my egg, she's promised to lay. If I were emperors, if I were kings, it couldn't be fuller of wonderful things.

Barryman and Baxter, pretty boy in Penn, and old farmer Middleton are five big men. All of them are wanting an egg for their tea, But the little black hen is much too busy. The little black hen is much too busy. The little black hen is much too busy. She's laying my egg for me. End of the little black hen.

Section 22 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. The Friend There are lots and lots of people who are always asking things, like dates and pounds and ounces in the names of funny kings, and the answer's either sixpence or a hundred inches long, and I know they'll think me silly if I get the answer wrong. So Poo and I go whispering, and Poo looks very bright, and says, well, I say sixpence, but I don't suppose I'm right. And then it doesn't matter what the answer ought to be, because if he's right,

I'm right, and if he's wrong, it isn't me. End of the Friend. Section 23 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne. This Libra Box recording is in the public domain. The good little girl. It's funny how often they say to me, Jane, Have you been a good girl? Have you been a good girl?

And when they have said it, they say it again. Have you been a good girl? Have you been a good girl? I go to a party, I go out to tea, I go to an aunt for a week at the sea. I come back from school or from playing a game. Wherever I come from, it's always the same. Well, have you been a good girl, Jane? It's always the end of the loveliest day.

Have you been a good girl? Have you been a good girl? I went to the zoo and they waited to say, Have you been a good girl? Have you been a good girl? Well, what did they think that I went there to do? And why should I want to be bad at the zoo? And should I be likely to say if I had? So that's why it's funny of mummy and dad, this asking and asking in case I was bad. Well, have you been a good girl, Jane? End of the Good Little Girl Section 24 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne.

This Librevox recording is in the public domain. A thought. If I were John and John were me, then he'd be six and I'd be three. If John were me and I were John, I shouldn't have these trousers on. End of a thought. Section 25 of Now We're. We Are Six by A. Mellon. This Librovox recording is in the public domain.

King Hillary and the beggarman. Of Hillary the great and good, they tell a tale at Christmas time. I've often thought the story would be prettier but just as good, if almost anybody should, translate it into rhyme. So I have done the best I can, for lack of some more learned man. Good King Hillary said to his Chancellor, proud Lord Willoughby, Lord High Chancellor, Run to the Wicked Gate, quickly, quickly, run to the Wicket Gate and see who is knocking. It may be a rich man, seaborne from Araby, bringing me peacocks, emeralds and ivory. It may be a poor man, travel worn and weary, bringing me oranges to put in my stocking.

proud Lord Willoughby, Lord High Chancellor, laughed both loud and free. Ha, ha, ha! I've served your majesty man to man, since first your majesty's reign began, and I've often walked, but I never, never ran, never, never, quoth he. Good King Hillary said to his Chancellor, proud Lord Willoughby, Lord High Chancellor, Walk to the Wicked Gate, quickly, quickly, walk to the Wicked Gate and see who is knocking. It may be a captain, hawk-nosed, bearded, bringing me gold dust, spices and sandalwood. It may be a scullion, carefree whistling, bringing me sugar-plums to put in my stocking. Proud Lord Willoughby, Lord High Chancellor, laughed both loud and free.

I've served in the palace since I was four, and I'll serve in the palace a many years more, and I've opened a window but never a door. Never, never, never, quoth he. Good King Hillary said to his Chancellor, proud Lord Willoughby, Lord High Chancellor, Open the window, quickly, quickly, open the window and see who is knocking. It may be a waiting-maid, apple-cheeked, dimpled, sent by her mistress to bring me greeting. It may be children, anxious whispering. bringing me codnuts to put in my stocking.

Proud Lord Willoughby, Lord High Chancellor, laughed both loud and free. I'll serve your majesty till I die, as Lord Chancellor, not as spy, to peep from lattices, no, not I. Never, never, never, quoth he. Good King Hillary looked at his Chancellor, proud Lord Willoughby, Lord High Chancellor,

he said no word to his still. if-set chancellor, but ran to the wicket gate to see who was knocking. He found no rich man, trading from Araby, he found no captain, blue-eyed weather-tanned, he found no waiting-maid, sent by her mistress, but only a beggar-man with one red stocking. Good King Hillary looked at the beggar-men and laughed him three times three, and he turned that beggarman round about. Your thews are strong and your arm is stout. Come, throw me a Lord High Chancellor out, and take his place, quoth he.

Of Hillary, the good and great, Old wives at Christmas time relate, this tale which points at any rate, two morals on the way. The first, whatever fortune brings, don't be afraid of doing things, especially, of course, for kings. It also seems to say,

but not so wisely, he who begs, with one red stocking on his legs, will be as sure as eggs are eggs, a chancellor some day. End of King Hillary and the beggar man. Section 26 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne. This Libre-Vox recording is in the public domain. Swing song Here I go, up in my swing, ever so high, I am the king of the fields and the king of the town.

I am the king of the earth and the king of the sky. Here I go up in my swing. Now I go down. End of Swing Song. Section 27 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Explained. Elizabeth Anne said to her nan,

please will you tell me how God began. Somebody must have made him, so, who could it be, because I want to know? And Nurse said, well, and Anne said, well, I know you know and I wish you'd tell. And Nurse took pins from her mouth and said, Now then, darling, it's time for bed. Elizabeth Anne had a wonderful plan. She would run round the world till she found a man who knew exactly how God began. She got up early, she dressed and ran, trying to find an important man. She ran to

London and knocked at the door of the Lord High Doodleum's coach and four. Please, sir, if there's anyone in, however and ever did God begin. The Lord High Doodleum lay in bed, but out of the window, large and red, came the Lord High Coachman's face instead, and the Lord High Coachman laughed and said, well what put that in your quaint little head elizabeth anne went home again and took from the ottoman jennifer jane jane said elizabeth anne tell me at once how god began and jane who didn't much care for speaking replied in her usual way by squeaking what did it mean well to be quite candid i don't know but elizabeth anne did elizabeth anne said softly Oh, thank you, Jennifer. Now I know. End of Explained. Section 28 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne.

This Librovox recording is in the public domain. Twice times. There were two little bears who lived in a wood, and one of them was bad, and the other was good. Good bear learned his twice times one, but bad bear left all his buttons undone. they lived in a tree when the weather was hot and one of them was good and the other was not good bear learned his twice times two but bad bear's thingomies were worn right through they lived in a cave when the weather was cold and they did and they didn't do what they were told good bear learned his twice times three but bad bear never had his handkerchiefy they lived in the wood with a kind old aunt and one said yes'm and the other

others said shant. Good bear learned his twice times four, but bad bear's nicoties were terrible tore. And then quite suddenly, just like us, one got better, and the other got wass. Good bear muddled his twice times three, but bad bear coughed in his handkerchiefy. Good bear muddled his twice times two, but bad bear's thingamies looked like new. Good bear muddled his twice times one, but bad bear never, left his buttons undone. There may be a moral, though some say not. I think there's a moral, though I don't know what. But if one gets better, as the other gets wuss,

these two little bears are just like us. For Christopher remembers up to twice times ten, but I keep forgetting where I've put my pen. Note, so I have had to write this one in pencil. End of twice times. Section 29 of Now We Are 6 by A. A. Mielm. This Librovox recording is in the public domain. The Morning Walk When Anne and I go out a walk, we hold each other's hand and talk, of all the things we mean to do

when Anne and I are 42. And when we've thought about a thing like bowling hoops or bicycling, or falling down on Anne's balloon, we do it in the afternoon. End of the Morning Walk. Section 30 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne. This Libra Box recording is in the public domain. Cradle Song Oh, Timothy Tim has ten pink toes, and ten pink toes has Timothy Tim. They go with him wherever he goes, and wherever he goes, they go with him.

Oh, Timothy Tim has two blue eyes, and two blue eyes has Timothy Tim. They cry with him whenever he cries, and whenever he cries, they cry with him. Oh, Timothy Tim has one red head, and one red head has Timothy Tim. It sleeps with him in Timothy's bed. Sleep well, redhead of Timothy Tim. End of Cradle Song. Section 31 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Mill. This Libro Box recording is in the public domain.

waiting at the window. These are my two drops of rain, waiting on the window pane. I am waiting here to see, which the winning one will be. Both of them have different names. One is John and one is James. All the best, and all the worst, comes from which of them is first. James has just begun to ooze. He's the one I want to lose.

John is waiting to begin. He's the one I want to win. James is going slowly on. Something sort of sticks to John. John is moving off at last. James is going pretty fast. John is rushing down the pain. James is going slow again. James has met a sort of smear. John is getting very near. Is he going fast enough? James has found a piece of. of fluff. John has hurried quickly by. James was talking to a fly. John is there, and John has won. Look, I told you, here's the sun. End of waiting at the window. Section 32 of Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Pinkleper. Tattoo was the mother of Pinklepur. A.

little black nothing of feet and fur, and by and by when his eyes came through, he saw his mother, the big tattoo. And all that he learned, he learned from her. I'll ask my mother, says Pinkelper. Tattoo was the mother of Pinkleper, a ridiculous kitten with silky fur, and that little black Pinkle grew and grew till he got as big as the big tattoo. And all that he did, he did with her. Two friends together, says Pinklepur. Tattoo was the mother of Pinklepur, an adventurous cat in a coat of fur, and whenever he thought of a thing to do,

he didn't much bother about Tattoo, for he knows it's nothing to do with her. So see you later, says Pinkleper. Tattoo is the mother of Pinkleper, an enormous leopard with coal-black fur. A little brown kitten that's nearly new is now playing games with its big tattoo, and Pink looks lazily down at her.

Dear little tat, says Pinklper. End of Pinkleper. Section 33 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Wind on the Hill No one can tell me. Nobody knows. Where the wind comes from? Where the wind goes. it's flying from somewhere as fast as it can i couldn't keep up with it not if i ran but if i stopped holding the string of my kite it would blow with the wind for a day and a night

and then when i found it wherever it blew i should know that the wind had been going there too so then i could tell them where the wind goes but where the wind comes from nobody knows End of Wind on the Hill. Section 34 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Forgotten. Lords of the nursery wait in a row. Five on the high wall and four on the low. Big kings and little kings, brown bears and black.

All of them waiting till John comes back. Some think that John. boy is lost in the wood. Some say he couldn't be. Some say he could. Some think that John boy hides on the hill. Some say he won't come back. Some say he will. High was the sun when John went away. Here they've been waiting all through the day. Big bears and little bears, white kings and black, all of them waiting till John comes back. Lords of the nursery look down the hill. Some saw the sheepfold, some saw the mill, some saw the roofs of the little grey town, and their shadows grew long as the sun slipped down.

Gold between the poplars and old moon shows, silver up the starway, the full moon rose, silver down the starway the old moon crept, and one by another the grey fields slept. Lords of the nursery, their still watch-keep. They hear from the sheepfold the rustle of sheep. A young bird twitters and hides its head. A little wind suddenly breathes and is dead. Slowly and slowly dawns the new day. What's become of John Boy? No one can say.

Some think that John Boy is lost on the hill. Some say he won't come back. Some say he will. What's become of John Boy? nothing at all. He played with his skipping rope. He played with his ball. He ran after butterflies, blue ones and red. He did a hundred happy things, and then went to bed. End of Forgotten. Section 35 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. In the Dark

I've had my supper and had my supper and had my supper and all. I've heard the story of Cinderella and how she went to the ball. I've cleaned my teeth and I've said my prayers, and I've cleaned and said them right, and they've all of them been and kissed me lots. They've all of them said good night. So, here I am in the dark alone. There's nobody here to see.

I think to myself, I play to myself. and nobody knows what I say to myself. Here I am in the dark alone. What is it going to be? I can think whatever I like to think. I can play whatever I like to play. I can laugh whatever I like to laugh. There's nobody here but me.

I'm talking to a rabbit. I'm talking to the sun. I think I am a hundred. I'm one. I'm lying in a forest. I'm lying in a cave. I'm talking. to a dragon. I'm brave. I'm lying on my left side. I'm lying on my right. I'll play a lot tomorrow.

I'll think a lot tomorrow. I'll laugh. A lot. Tomorrow. Hey ho. Good night. End of In the Dark. Section 36 of Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne. This Libra Box recording is in public domain. The end. When I was one, I had just begun. When I was two, I was nearly new. When I was three, I was hardly me. When I was four, I was not much more.

When I was five, I was just alive. But now I am six, I'm as clever as clever. So I think I'll be six now, forever and ever. End of The End of Now We Are Six by A. Mieln