51 pages • 1 hour read
Benjamin HoffThe Tao Of Pooh
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1982A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Chapters 7-9Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 7 Summary: “That Sort of Bear”
As Chapter 7 opens, Hoff, the writer-narrator, and Pooh discuss Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”; Pooh declares the song is one of his favorites because of its lyrics: “Sing Ho! for the life of a Bear!” (115). Hoff gently explains that these words are not in “Ode to Joy.” Hoff reflects on Pooh’s desire to have his own song. This conversation leads to the chapter’s main focus: all creatures are special and valuable, though some may not realize their own value.
Hoff uses “The Stonecutter,” a Chinese story, to illustrate. The main character works as a stonecutter, but he is dissatisfied with his position in life. One day the stonecutter passes a wealthy merchant’s house, filled with finery, and wishes that he could become a merchant. His life is changed instantly. Soon, he sees an official carried on a sedan chair by attendants. The man wishes to become the official, and his life is changed. When he becomes aware of the sun’s power on a particularly hot day, he wishes to become the sun. After this transformation, the clouds come between the sun and the earth, so he wishes to become a cloud.
Once he becomes a cloud, the wind blows him away.
