Roo's New Baby-sitter

"Roo, dear, your baby-sitter will be here soon," said Kanga. "I don't want to be baby-sitted!" cried Roo. "Now, Roo. Mama's just going out for a little shopping and supper with Aunt Sadie," said Kanga. "You'll have fun with Pooh."

"I don't want to have fun!" cried Roo. "I'm going SHOPPING. I can shop like anything." "Yes, dear," said Kanga. She was busy buttoning her coat and looking for her handbag. Roo found a large bag and began filling it with things. "Look at me shopping!" he cried. "I'd be a BIG help, shopping."

"Some other time, dear," said Kanga. "What other time?" asked Roo. "Well, not this time," said Kanga. "Oh look! Here comes Pooh now." "Hello, Pooh," said Roo. partly because it was fun, and partly because he didn't want his mama to see how much he minded being left behind.

"Pooh," said Kanga, "don't let Roo get into any mischief." "Oh I won't let him get into anything," said Pooh cheerfully. "Bye-bye!" Roo and Pooh waved as they watched Kanga hop down the path and over the bridge. When she was out of sight, Roo drooped.

Pooh give Roo a hug and put him in his high chair. "What you need is a nice smackerel of honey to cheer you up," said Pooh. "I want to go shopping," squeaked Roo. "I don't want to eat." "Hmmmm, doesn't want to eat," said Pooh. "NOW what do I do?" "You don't know how to baby-sit?" asked Roo.  "Well. yes," said Pooh, "all except the actual baby-sitting part." "I'm good at baby-sitting," said Roo. "I'll tell you how."

When they had finished playing, Pooh sat down for a little rest. "The next thing a baby-sitter does is climb!" cried Roo. "Let's see who can climb the highest - you or me." Pooh, who was beginning to think there was not much SITTING involved in  baby-sitting, said, "Okay, let's find a good climbing tree."

They stood under the old apple tree in Roo's back garden. Roo jumped and jumped, but he couldn't reach even the lowest branch. "Baby-sitters always give a boost," he said. "I see,"  said Pooh. Roo hopped from branch to branch, and Pooh climbed up behind him. "Mmmm," said Roo. "Look at those apples. Baby-sitters always pick apples for supper.

Pooh climbed up to the highest branch. He picked four bright red apples and tucked them under his arm. Then he inched back down. "Oh Pooh," cried Roo. "You can climb with one arm!" "Oops! I'm just that sort of..."Thump! "...baby-sitter!" shouted Pooh, as he discovered a faster way down to Roo's branch.

They sat side by side and swung their feet and ate the sweet apples. "This is the best supper ever!" cried Roo. "What do baby-sitters do AFTER supper?" asked Pooh. "They give baths," said Roo, "with LOTS of bubbles."

Roo showed Pooh how baby-sitters pour a whole bottle of bubble bath into the bathwater. "It seems like a lot," said Pooh. "It's just right," said Roo. Roo took off his shirt and hopped in. He disappeared under the bubbles.

"Where's Roo?" asked Pooh. sort of to himself and sort of out Roo. Wfffffff . He blew on the bubbles. He couldn't see Roo anywhere. He swished his paws through the bubbles. He couldn't feel Roo. "Look at me jumping," squeaked a little voice. Pooh could HEAR Roo! "There you are!" cried Pooh. Roo, all wet and bubbly, was jumping on his bed.

Pooh chased him with the towel and dried him off. Then Pooh helped Roo on his pyjamas. "Time for your Strengthening Medicine," said Pooh, a little more sternly than when poohs usually say such things. "I don't want it," said Roo. He folded his arms across his chest and stuck out his chin.

"Oh well," said Pooh, slumping in a chair. "Why don't you give ME a spoonful? I think I could do with it." "Now, Pooh, dear, here's your medicine," said Roo in a cheerful, grown-up sort of voice. "Ahhh! Much better," said Pooh. "Thank you Roo. You are a good baby-sitter." "I'm baby-sitter!" Roo sang happily.

Kanga opened the door and saw Roo and Pooh snuggled together in the chair. "Mama! Look at me baby-sitting!" cried Roo. "I'm baby-sitting Pooh!" "Of course you are, dear," said Kanga.

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