Chapter 5- Running Dogs and the Revolutionary Guard
In which One Hundred Acre Wood’s Central Committee
undergoes a democratic regime change

It was a very sunny day in One Hundred Acre Wood, and altogether too hot to stay inside. So Pooh decided to go for a walk to visit his friends, and maybe go for a dip in the pond. On his way, who should he run into but Christopher Robin.

“Hallo Pooh!” said Christopher Robin.

“Hallo Christopher Robin,” said Pooh.

“Awfully hot today, isn’t it?”

“Very Hot. I think we should all go down to the pond. I shouldn’t be surprised if the other animals are there too. Shall we go see?”

“Let’s!”

And so, ambling together, they made their way to the pond. The sun beat down relentlessly, and Pooh found himself getting a little short tempered. He wasn’t alone. When they arrived at the pond, Christopher Robin and found a very wet Piglet and Tigger in the middle both of the bond, and a noisy argument.

“You were bouncing in the No-Bouncing part of the pond,” squealed Piglet.

“But the whole pond is for Bouncing,” countered Tigger.

“That’s not fair. What about the Smaller animals, who get splashed when you Bounce?”

“But Bouncing is what Tiggers are best at!” protested Tigger.

“Um, what’s going on?”, asked Pooh from the side of the pond, in his most Let’s All Be Friends way. “Maybe Christopher Robin and I can help.”

“You certainly can,” said Piglet, still a little angry, and sweltering in the heat. “Wasn’t the Central Committee meant to impose restrictions on Bouncing in the Pond for the protection of Smaller Animals?”

“Umm,” said Pooh, remembering that this was indeed what the Central Committee had conceded to do, late one night when Piglet had started to make something of a nuisance of himself.

“I don’t think bears should run the Central Committee if they’re so forgetful,” whined Piglet. Ordinarily, Piglet’s suggestion would have been met with swift and conclusive retribution by the Central Committee. But since everyone was feeling a little hot and bothered, and since, Pooh felt, it’d be Better not to have an argument on a day as sticky as this when everyone’s hackles were up, he decided to let Piglet have his way.

“Oh, ah, okay Piglet. Perhaps the Central Committee does need some new blood, some Small blood. Let’s have a chat shall we?”

So Pooh and Piglet went on a walk to hash out the details.

When they returned, Piglet was sweating heavily, and Pooh announced that he’d be stepping down from his position on the Central committee to make way for Piglet. As the sun began to set, everyone felt much better, pleased that the democratic transition had been managed so smoothly, and with firm continuity.

On the way back, Christopher Robin sang a happy little song, summarising the principles of the agreement.

They’re changing the guard at the Imperial Palace
And it’s all been done without much malice
The Army remains under Winnie-the-Pooh
Which leaves poor Piglet with little to do,
At the Palace.

Which shows that genuine popular sovereignty and ideological consistency are entirely compatible.

And that power grows out of the barrel of a gun.

Next Month: Chapter 6: "Three acres and a Donkey"