Pooh! Eeyore, you're the best! by Ann Braybrooks, illustrated by John Kurtz. A little golden book.
One morning in spring, when the birds were chirping and the daisies were smiling everywhere,
Eeyore woke up with a black cloud hovering over him.
It's the only cloud in the sky, Eeyore groaned, and it's drizzling right on me. Somehow I'm not surprised.
Eeyore lived in a gloomy place, and he was rather fond of gray, gloomy things.
But this day he had hoped to wake up in a sunnier mood. It was talent show day in the Hundred Acre Wood.
All week Eeyore had been practicing to show off his somersaults. Now it looked as if this cloud would get in the way.
How could a donkey turn somersaults if he was wet?
Eeyore thought he would try to shake the cloud off. He stepped to the right. The cloud moved right with him.
So he jumped to the left with a bit of a twist. Again the cloud scooted after him.
Oh, well, said the sad soggy donkey. Can't be in the talent show with this thing following me. Better go tell everyone.
Eeyore dragged himself and his cloud off to Christopher Robbins where the talent show was just getting underway.
On stage Poo was juggling two apples while balancing a stack of honeypots on his head.
Christopher Robbin, the judge, was busy taking notes.
Eeyore didn't want to disturb anyone so he stood in the back with the cloud still hanging over him and the drizzle still drizzling.
When Poo had finished, Eeyore tried to get Christopher Robbins' attention.
A hem! he coughed loudly. A hem!
But no one could hear Eeyore over the wild clapping and cheering.
Finally after the applause ended, Christopher Robbin heard Eeyore.
Would you like to go next? the boy asked kindly.
Me! said Eeyore, peering through the drizzle.
I can't.
Sure you can, buddy boy! Tigger chimed in.
That cloud is part of your act, isn't it? Eeyore shook his head.
Nope! I woke up with it. I just came here to say that I won't be in the show.
As Eeyore and his cloud turned to go, Poo called.
Wait! You can still watch!
Please stay, Eeyore! cried Rue and Piglet together.
A raindrop slid down Eeyore's nose.
Well, he said.
So, along with the others, Eeyore watched as Rue played a drum while hopping on one foot.
Then Tigger bounced over, not under, a very high limbo stick.
He had never been shown how to do it the other way.
Rabbit sang a lovely song about spring as he tossed carrots and radishes into the audience.
Then Eeyore shifted to a dry spot. Piglet read from a very dramatic play.
Kenga danced a short ballet.
And Owl recited a poem about his large family tree, beginning with his ancestor Lord Oakley.
Finally, it was time to announce the winner. Christopher Robin began.
The ribbon goes to? To everyone! Then he quickly added.
Everyone's act was terrific, so you all win! Winners, please come on stage!
Alone in the back with his cloud and drizzle, Eeyore watched his friends gather around Christopher Robin.
He felt so gloomy that he didn't hear Christopher Robin invite him on stage, too.
Suddenly, Pooh cried, Look, everybody! A rainbow!
As Eeyore stood there wet and gloomy under his cloud, the afternoon sun shone through the drizzle,
and a lovely little Eeyore-sized rainbow appeared over his head.
Hooray for Eeyore! Everyone shouted.
Eeyore should win, yelled Roo. Then Eeyore's friends lifted him onto their shoulders,
and Eeyore raised his head and smiled, while drizzle still drizzled,
and the rainbow glowed in the sunlight.
The end.