One fine morning, Pooh Bear had convinced himself and his brave little friend Piglet that a Heffalump was roaming their woods. With neither evidence nor plan, they set off on an expedition, armed with honey pots and very little sense.

Mr. Edward Bearly’s Comment: Ah, the blind leading the blind. The woods haven’t seen a Heffalump in decades, if ever. But why let facts stand in the way of a good adventure—or, in their case, a pending mishap?

Their ingenious trap consisted of a pit, which Pooh assured Piglet was absolutely foolproof. “Heffalumps cannot resist honey,” declared Pooh, as he considered himself an expert on the subject of honey, if nothing else.

Mr. Edward Bearly’s Comment: Of course, the assumption that a Heffalump shares Pooh’s insatiable appetite for honey is baseless. But then, Pooh’s assumptions often are. As for the pit, it’s a marvel it’s large enough for anything, considering Pooh’s understanding of construction.

After much waiting and several naps, Pooh and Piglet inspected their trap, only to find it empty, save for a very puzzled Rabbit, who had fallen in while trying to procure what he believed to be a free jar of honey.

Mr. Edward Bearly’s Comment: Surprise, surprise. The only thing they’ve managed to catch is poor Rabbit, who, I might add, shows a surprising lack of judgment himself. It’s as though the woods are a magnet for ill-conceived plans.

Undeterred, Pooh and Piglet continued their quest, following tracks that led in a suspiciously circular pattern, which, unbeknownst to them, were their own.

Mr. Edward Bearly’s Comment: A metaphor for their endeavors, really. Going in circles, achieving nothing, but convinced of their imminent success. If only determination were all it took to succeed, they’d have captured a dozen Heffalumps by now.

As night fell and no Heffalump appeared, Pooh pondered whether Heffalumps might only come out when it was very, very quiet. So, they decided to whisper their plans henceforth, lest the Heffalumps hear them coming.

Mr. Edward Bearly’s Comment: Ah, the strategic shift to stealth. Because, of course, the problem was that they were simply too loud. Not that Heffalumps are, for all intents and purposes, figments of their imagination.

In the end, they returned home, Heffalump-less but full of tales of their daring hunt. “We shall try again tomorrow,” declared Pooh, ever the optimist.

Mr. Edward Bearly’s Comment: And so the cycle continues. Adventure, mishap, and return, none the wiser. Perhaps the true Heffalump they’re hunting is wisdom itself. Alas, some creatures are just too elusive to capture.