Don't Pooh-Pooh Pooh!

Winnie the Pooh turns a hundred today...so we pay tribute to Hundred Acre Wood's honey-loving bear.

With a social media account.

A hundred years. Still a zillion likes. And the same sweet Pooh.

It was a special event in the Hundred Acre Wood--Pooh was going to turn 100.

A literary milestone. One that deserved pomp and circumstance, complete with sponsors, advertising, and strategic planning.

A committee was formed, comprising Tigger the Tiggerific Tiger, Eeyore the Understated Donkey and Christopher Robbins.

Meanwhile, the good-natured bear took his usual trek through the Hundred Acre Wood, caressing each tree bark. He only had one question on his mind---

"Where's the honey?"

Like everyone else, the committee loved Pooh. He was a bear who--just Simple. Straightforward. No other Pooh.

But he was a HUNDRED. Would children of this era be satisfied with just...honey?

Tigger had a brainwave. "I have a Tiggerific idea. Let's test him...see how relevant he is for a hundred. "

Eeyore approached the matter with his usual pessimism. "He'll fail."

To respect his modern audience, the committee subjected him to an intelligence test. It assessed him on digital literacy and personality.

Pooh displayed intellectual deficiency of worldwide concern.

As with other projects, this ran into budget cuts, publicity run-ins, and intellectual property issues. The members' verbal battles were worthy of The Bulge.

Pooh quietly passed round honeycomb plates. "Here, sweeten up."

One assessment survived the arguments--Pooh needed a digital makeover. Christopher Robbin added a note on the ChatGPT notice board.

"The bear should move with the times."

Eeyore, being Eeyore, met the matter like a donkey with an unreasonable load on his back. "He'll look terrible. No one will watch a bear hunting honey."

"Pooh needs a tiggerific digital presence to remain relevant in 2026." Tigger insisted.

"Yes, he does," Chris Robbins agreed. "But Pooh must remain...Pooh. The gentle, loving bear. He'll like it that way himself."

And so, the committee launched Pooh's makeover.

"Social media is going to make you a tiggerific sensation!" Tigger could barely curb his enthusiasm.

"Sensation? I sense disaster approaching," Eeyore said, shaking his head.

"He must be the same Pooh on those social media photos." Christopher Robbins warned in a reasoning voice.

So Tigger organised a filming session underneath Pooh's favourite honey tree. A professional filming crew arrived, complete with cameras, ring lights and a professional banner. After all, Pooh's brand needed personal assistance. Hundred Acres had never experienced a digital invasion.

And just like that, Pooh had become Hundred Acre's first lifestyle influencer. Tigger made the announcement.

"He must speak naturally! Like Pooh!" Christopher insisted.

"You mean people watch a bear looking for food?" Eeyore shook his head again.

"Guys, I like influencing people...but how can I finish all that honey?"

The hype had attracted Piglet, who wandered into the filming session.

"Here, make yourself useful, and share honey with Pooh for the cameras."

"Perfect shot. Let's load in on Woodbook." Christopher Robbins had already started Woodbook's Inaugural fan club. Pooh's worldwide following was already flooding the page with endless likes.

"A tiggerific success!" Tigger panned his mobile on Pooh for a close-up for Woodbook.

"Someone's going to troll the fan club." Eeyore waved his hoof dismissively.

People indeed trolled it--with a flood of supportive comments.

And after a hundred years, there's no reason to pooh-pooh Pooh.

For Mikeydred's October challenge: