Monday, May 09, 2011

In which the Guardian makes a Very Silly Mistake about Eeyore's age

You may not know it, but today is Eeyore's birthday. And if there's one thing that upsets Eeyore more than anything, it's people forgetting his birthday. Traditionally Eeyore might receive a popped balloon from Piglet, or an empty honey jar from Pooh. But since AA Milne's gloomy donkey turns 140 today – which is Very Old Indeed – I think we should surprise him by celebrating his status as a truly great literary character.
announces Chris Cox on the Guardian's Books Blog today.

Eeyore born in 1871? That cannot possibly be right.

The anhedonic donkey first appeared in Winnie-the-Pooh, which was published in 1926. Even his creator A.A. Milne was not born until 1872.

I am afraid we have to conclude that Cox has made a Very Silly Mistake.

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