Alan apparently insisted that the Toys should never be cleaned, but rather should look as if a child had just finished playing with them. "No explanation is needed for the world-weariness of Pooh and Eeyore," he wrote. "Time's hand has been upon them since 1921. That was a long time ago" (Thwaite, pp. 474-475 and end notes; see also the Birth Certificate discussed below).

Owl and Rabbit, of course, were never toys -- nor were they really specific animals in the Forest (though owls and rabbits were and remain abundant in the area). They were the imaginary creations of A.A. Milne.

Also having wide currency is a standard set of descriptions for each character (apparently adopted from Christopher Robin's Winnie-the-Pooh Character Guide). Instead of simply adopting or adapting it, we have created one of our own...and again, in breaking with Web tradition, we have taken our "Famous Lines" of each character from Classic Pooh, not Disney Pooh. Finally, for the major characters we have added links to that ineffable collection of facts, trivia and urban legends, Wikipedia.

Naturally, the assessments of the characters' personality types are those of this author and represent his opinions only. In some ways the character attributes of Pooh and his friends are easier to spot.

General Traits: A Bear of Very Little Brain, but capable of being both Astute and Helpful in a pinch (to the surprise of even Christopher Robin). Definitely a gourmand, coveting honey especially, but also condensed milk, marmalade and (in Disney Pooh) chocolate. Aside from his perpetually eleven-o'clockish appetite, innocent of motive and apparently incorruptible. Trusts in his instincts rather than his intelligence, though also makes great efforts to apply his limited mental capacities.

Special Traits: A skilled, if slow, tree climber, rivaled only by Christopher Robin and (when going up a tree) Tigger. The Forest's poet laureate, a competent writer of light verse and "hums". Lives "under the name of Sanders" (that is, has a front door with "MR. SANDERS" in gold letters over it). In Classic Pooh, has a gruff voice (as inspired by young Christopher Milne); in Disney Pooh, a rather falsetto voice.

Famous Lines: "Rum-tum-tum-tiddle-um." "Oh, help and bother!" "...[There] are twelve pots of honey in my cupboard, and they've been calling to me for hours."

General Traits: Timid. Tends to mistake fear for lack of courage. When in a pinch, however, can overcome his fears admirably. Compassionate, just, generous (especially in donating his house to Owl after the latter's house blows down in a windstorm). Not known for his brains, but knows his strengths and weaknesses well and perceives those of others clearly.

Special Traits: Pooh's best friend (leaving aside Christopher Robin's more parental relationship with Pooh). Lives "in a very grand house in the middle of a beech tree...in the middle of the (Forest)" (at least until Owl's House blows down). After being bathed by Kanga, was mistaken (?) by Christopher Robin as Pootel ("Henry Pootel for short"), a relative of Pooh's. Proud of his own ancestry -- in particular, of Trespassers W[ill(iam)], his grandfather (who had two names in case he lost one). Speech gets Confused when he is Unsettled. Can write a competent Message to place in a Bottle (in hopes that the Author might be Rescued).

Famous Lines: "It is hard to be brave when you're only a Very Small Animal." "Holl, Holl, a Hoffable Hellerump!" "A trap for ho-ho's. I've just made it, and I'm waiting for the ho-ho to come-come."

General Traits: One of the three most intelligent animals in the Forest. Melancholy in his outlook (in a Way So Typical of British Humor); the nearest thing in the Forest to a hermit. In Classic Pooh, has the most cynical wit, as well as the most "adult" speech, of any of the Forest residents (if Being Prone to Use Capitalized Words is any indication). By contrast, generally uses slow, simple but profound speech in Disney Pooh. Complains constantly, in good times and bad, but genuinely appreciates favors shown to him (especially by Christopher Robin, Pooh and Piglet). Praise from Eeyore is praise indeed.

Special Traits: Favorite color: red. Favorite size: about Piglet's size. Eats thistles, the pricklier the better. Thinks the other animals, including Rabbit and Owl, have only grey fluff that's blown into their heads by mistake (to his credit, he considers Christopher Robin as being "different"). Built his own House at Pooh Corner (out of sticks), only to find it moved and improved by "the wind" (actually, Pooh and Piglet). At first (out of jealousy of Pooh), rejects writing as "silly stuff". Later, out of admiration for Christopher Robin's example, tries to Instigorate Knowledge -- then becomes jealous when Rabbit surpasses his own efforts. Can spell an "A", but not well -- at least until he tries his own hoof at poetry. The Forest's reigning champion at Poohsticks. Surpassed only by Rabbit in his resentment of Tigger's bounces (which -- in The New Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh -- he actually tried to imitate once in hopes the act would improve his popularity).

Famous Lines: "Thank you, Christopher Robin. You're the only one who seems to understand about tails." "Bouncy or coffy, it's all the same at the bottom of the river." "What is Learning? A thing Rabbit knows! Ha!"

General Traits: One of the three most intelligent animals in the Forest. As an organizer, rivaled only by Christopher Robin himself; apparently wants to run everything and everyone in Christopher Robin's name. Has a Captainish air about him, driven by strong needs for order and for social contact. Has an abundance of friends and relations, who play bit parts in the stories. In Disney Pooh, is very high-strung and excitable, and a dedicated gardener. In Classic Pooh, has a certain devious streak, plotting against Kanga and Roo at one time and Tigger at another to bend their behavior to his will.

Special Traits: By general consent, is Clever and has Brain (which may explain, in Pooh's words, "why he never understands anything"). The Forest's best reader and speller, aside from Christopher Robin (who begins as the Forest's only speller, but does not remain so). Second only to Kanga (and possibly Tigger) as a runner in the Pooh Books. Fond of making lists and drawing up agendas. Rivaled only by Eeyore in his consistent resentment of Tigger's exuberant ways.

Famous Lines: "Pooh, you haven't any brain." "Piglet, you haven't any pluck." "Owl, you and I have brains. The others have fluff. If there is any thinking to be done in this Forest -- and when I say thinking I mean thinking -- you and I must do it."

General Traits: One of the three most intelligent animals in the Forest. Can spell "Tuesday" so that one knows it isn't "Wednesday". Knows many long words, some unknown to anyone else in the Forest except (possibly) Christopher Robin. Genuinely interested in intellectual pursuits, but also in covering up his lack of expertise on occasion (so as to maintain his reputation of wisdom). Rather Short-Tempered at times with the Less Mentally Gifted.

Special Traits: In Disney Pooh, has an elegant British Standard accent. In Classic Pooh, sole resident of the Hundred Acre Wood and owner of the Forest's most elegant house, THE CHESTNUTS (until he is forced to move to Piglet's House, renamed THE WOLERY). Somewhat eccentric, especially about his dress (what little he has of it, such as his shawl), his house (such as his carpet and his common maintenance items, e.g., his toadstool-encrusted sponge), and above all his love of long words and longer-winded stories (to the boredom of Piglet, Pooh and even at times Christopher Robin).

Famous Lines: "Go away, I'm thinking -- oh, it's you?" "It is doubtful if the necessary dorsal muscles..." "HIPY PAPY BTHUTHDTH THUTHDA BTHUTHDY (A Very Happy Birthday with love from Pooh)."

General Traits: Only female character in the Forest proper. Typically "motherly" in nature. Nurturing, practical, generally uninterested in intellectual pursuits or poetry -- but not lacking in wit or humor in dealing with an unexpected situation (such as Piglet's substitution for Roo). Reputation of her species (which is Generally Regarded as One of the Fiercer Animals, according to Christopher Robin himself) is belied by her level-headedness even in the face of Rabbit's ploy to get her and Roo out of the Forest.

Special Traits: The fastest runner (or rather jumper) in the Forest (save perhaps for Tigger). Good-natured, on good terms with all the other Forest residents. Senses Tigger needs as much care as her own Roo, and adopts him accordingly.

Famous Lines: "If you go on making faces like Piglet's, you will grow up to look like Piglet -- and then think how sorry you will be." "Well! Fancy that! Fancy my making a mistake like that." "Are you sure you're all right, Roo dear?"

General Traits: Personality that of a young, optimistic and unsullied child. Quite bright, if not intellectual. Surprisingly fearless, his courage apparently stemming from an untroubled belief in his own competence and the general benevolence of the world.

Special Traits: In Classic Pooh, able to match Tigger, his best friend, as a bouncer (at least by default, as Tigger shies away from proving otherwise). In Disney Pooh (The Tigger Movie), uses his parity with Tigger as a bouncer to save Tigger's life. Admires Christopher Robin as a role model (tacitly) and Tigger as a "big brother" (openly). Also (in Disney Pooh) a close friend of Lumpy (a young Heffalump). A bit of a show-off, eager to win praise from his mother and friends for his accomplishments.

Famous Lines: "Look at me swimming!" "He's taken my medicine, he's taken my medicine, he's taken my medicine!" "You're always seeing, and nothing ever happens."
 

General Traits: The most extraverted of the Forest's residents; also (especially in Disney Pooh) the most naturally athletic. Tends to boast of his abilities, only to discover that he has grossly overestimated them. At first claims to like every food in the world, but in the end hates honey, haycorns (acorns), thistles, and everything in Kanga's larder save Extract of Malt (the one thing Roo hates).

Special Traits: In Classic Pooh, lives with Roo, his best friend. In Disney Pooh, has his own tree house. Can bounce up a tree, branch by branch (or, in The House at Pooh Corner, can simply climb up), but (in Classic Pooh and the Disney film Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too) is too fearful to climb down. Never gets lost, however, not even on foggy days. Frequently "bounces" Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Rabbit (though not Owl, Kanga, Roo or Christopher Robin) in greeting or by accident. Rivaled only by Roo and (on good days) Kanga and Rabbit as a Natural Bouncer. Feelings tend to be hurt easily (especially in Disney Pooh), but recover with Astonishing Rapidity. Even Christopher Robin may find Tigger a handful at times.

Famous Lines: "Hallo! I've found someone just like me. I thought I was the only one of them." "I always said Tiggers could climb trees." "It's a funny thing about Tiggers, how Tiggers never get lost."

General Traits: Rarely seen. Rumored to keep company with the equally elusive Woozles (which, at least in Disney Pooh, are likewise mutable in form and color).

Special Traits: May come when one whistles; may submit after capture to being led on a string. May be trapped (in fair or foul weather) if one digs a Heffalump Trap immediately in front of it -- especially a Very Deep Pit baited by Hunny (honey) or perhaps Haycorns (acorns). May be outwitted by clever, calm repartee. CAUTION: May be Very Fierce with Pigs and Bears (though Pooh's Heffalump Movie may imply this is only true for Adult Male Bachelors). Escort by an experienced Human (such as Christopher Robin) advisable in Heffalump country. Heffalumps may be confused with Bears wearing honey pots on their heads. Rumored to be Capable of Digging Traps for Poohs and Piglets.

Famous Lines: "Ho-ho!" "H'r'm! What's all this?" "Very good honey this, I don't know when I've tasted better."

General Traits: Affectionate, playful, excitable, pretty, imaginative, intelligent, feminine, competent. Almost inseparable from Christopher Robin (whether in London or at Cotchford). Has (in real life) a slight touch of the big sister about her (at least as far as Christopher is concerned). Reserves much of her complex thinking to herself (a trait A.A. Milne observed and noted in his poem "Buttercup Days").

Special Traits: In a word, "SPESHAL" (A.A. Milne, in his dedication to Now We are Six). Best non-human friend: Jumbo, her toy monkey (not seen in the Pooh Books).

Famous Lines: Anne has no speaking parts in the Pooh Books, but Now We Are Six is dedicated to her. She shows up in no less than three illustrations in that book (including the above, with Christopher Robin and the cottage at Cotchford Farm). Other illustrations may be inspired by her, as they look rather similar.

The Animal and Fantastic cast of the books of poetry includes Christopher Robin's dormouse (Terrible John/Jack/James, or simply Jim), a Horse, Rabbits, at least one Puppy, Twinkletoes, the Four Friends, Brownie, the Bears, the Lake King's Daughter, the Three Foxes, the Missing Mouse, the Animals at the Zoo (especially the Elephant), the Alderney, the Blackbird, the Cows, the Dormouse, the Swan, the Dragons, Binker, Alexander Beetle (who is also one of Rabbit's friends-and-relations in the stories), the Little Black Hen, the Two Little Bears, Pinkle Purr, Tatoo, the Wind, the Lords of the Nursery, the raindrops John and James, and other bit players.

Other Real Animals play roles in both Classic and Disney Pooh. Players of bit parts in Classic Pooh include Alexander Beetle, Henry Rush, Small, Smallest-of-all (all among Rabbit's friends-and-relations), Uncle Robert (a relative of Owl's, never seen), and of course Bees. Gopher ("I'm not in the book, you know") first appeared in the Walt Disney film Winnie-the-Pooh and the Honey Tree. (Ironically, there are no gophers in Sussex.) Other characters have made brief appearances in the Disney television shows relating to Pooh and his friends. Descriptions of these characters may be found on other Web sites.

"WINNIE-THE-POOH" BY THE SHERMAN BROS. (VERSION 1)