Hyundo,+Jin,+Hyuckjae,



Summary

Discussion Questions

Analysis

= **Summary** =

The chapter starts by introducing a major theme: “Everyone is special, though it sometimes takes a while for people to realize on their own”. Then a story about the stonecutter is told to demonstrate the main theme.

The narrator tells a Chinese story about a stonecutter, who magically transforms himself into the things that he believes is the most powerful: a merchant, a high official, the sun, a stone. However, eventually he returns to being a stonecutter. This story demonstrates the ability one has, and how difficult it can be recognize that ability.

The narrator emphasizes that one should believe oneself rather than superstitions or fate; therefore, should be able to use the ability one possesses to its full potential.

The chapter illustrates two stories, where Pooh and Piglet show courage and their ability to act. In this chapter, Pooh is the only one who really acted to save Roo, and Piglet overcomes his fear to ask for help by throwing a bottle with a letter inside it.

In the chapter, the most important term of Taoism is introduced: Tz’u, also known as “caring” or “compassion”. The chapter explains that good deeds are driven by the heart, not the brain.

The chapter illustrates an incident where Pooh and Piglet visit Owl’s house only to be trapped when the tree falls due to the wind. Owl suggests that Piglet should go up to the ceiling tied to a string. Although hindered by fear, the plan works perfectly, and they are rescued by Christopher Robin.

In the last part of the chapter, Christopher Robin introduces a new theme; he explains “Happiness” and “Importance” as things that can't be bought, which explains the shoes that Pooh bought as false happiness. This leads to the Tiddely-Pom Principle, known as the Snowball Effect, which could either promote cynicism or bring hope.

=Analysis=

Everyone Is Special
Everyone is special; each person has their own special ability. What makes each person different from one another is whether one believes in oneself or not. Life is full of obstacles, and the only way to go straight is by acting for yourself. To act, you must believe that you are capable of doing things. Pooh and Piglet, in the chapter, face many difficulties. However, they are able to make it out of the difficulties because they believe in themselves.

Happiness
Can happiness be bought? There are people who find happiness from buying clothes and other goods, though they might not be really necessary. The book suggests that this is not true happiness, but just a deception. The happiness achieved through buying can’t be satisfied because the desire keeps on growing more and more. True happiness comes when people value what they have, for example the ability they posses. Pooh, in the chapter, bought shoes to satisfy his desires. However, this was not his true happiness.

Tz'u: Caring and Compassion
The major theme comes from the Taoist term Tz’u, meaning caring and compassion. The book argues that Tz’u is associated with how courage and wisdom form in people. Person who cares has courage, and the person who has compassion has wisdom. A person can be clever, but that does not mean he is wise. A clever man will find the easy way, but a wise man will find the best way. Meaning good deeds come from your heart, not your brain. In this chapter, Pooh and Piglet both show courage and wisdom.