The Hundred Acre Whodunnit.

Disclaimer: I love Winnie the Pooh . I have very fond memories of watching the original Disney cartoons and I have even read a few of the stories these cartoons are based on. If you at any time start to feel that I am defaming or ruining a fond classic, please stop reading and come back next weekend.


Several weeks ago I listened to a podcast on writing. The writing prompt was, "Winnie the Pooh has been murdered. Who did it?" Initially I blew it off as stupid, but I found myself thinking about the question. While driving home I decided to really think it through. What if this is an episode of CSI: Disney? Who within the hundred acre wood might have the temperament, the motive, etc. I really tried to rationally think of what would be plausible.

Suspect #1: Rabbit
Not only was Rabbit the first character that I thought of, but when I asked Mia what who she thought was the most likely, Rabbit was who she chose as well.
Temperament wise I see Rabbit as regularly irritated by Pooh. Rabbit likes peace and quiet and Pooh regularly disrupts that quiet. At some point Pooh takes a step too far and Rabbit snaps.

Suspect #2: Tigger
Tigger is difficult. Not because it is hard to imagine him being the culprit. The hard part is deciding, if in fact Tigger did it, whether it was an accident or intentional. I personally lean toward accidental death. Tigger simply pounces a little too hard. He's a predatory wild animal. It's more surprising that it didn't happen sooner.

Suspect #3: Christopher Robin
Christopher is the overseer, protector within this fantasy world and it is important to keep in mind that these characters are, in the end, this child's imagination. Anyone who has spent time playing with little boys would find Christopher Robin's behavior abnormally mellow. In my imagination Christopher is playing and decides to play a rougher game and Pooh is the unfortunate victim of that game.

Suspect #4: Piglet
I like the idea of Piglet being the killer (please don't hate me). I think Piglet shows some potential signs of the killer. He's undersized and may develop some psychosis because of that. He stutters which I understand is a sign of high intelligence. He also has some grit. I keep imagining the scene in "The Blustery Day" where Piglet is out in front of his house sweeping/being blown away. He knows how small he is. He must sense the danger of the wind, yet he is determined to clean his front yard. That is internal fortitude. From a storytellers perspective, I think the story where Piglet slowly hunts down each of the characters would be FREAKY.

I do not include Eeyore or Owl in the list of suspects. They are off the hook for totally different reasons, but I don't see either of these characters as potential killers. Yes Eeyore is depressed and glum, but there's no fire. No intensity to drive the kind of feelings and emotions which would be necessary for the story to hold together. Owl on the other hand is too obscure. He doesn't make sense becuase he's too aloof and disconnected from the other characters. It's like he's a part of another world and just occasionally visits the wood.

If you read this, I would love to hear who you think "did it" and why.