Humor April 2002

A Little Black Rain Cloud

by Rhonda Peterson

April 2002

Depression

In the Disney adaptation of E.E. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh there comes a time when Pooh bear rolls in the mud and uses a balloon to ascend up a tree singing “I'm just a little black rain cloud...” in order to trick the bees out of their precious honey. Pooh attempts to disguise himself as a dark cloud until his balloon pops and he falls back to earth.

Ah! Could this story be an allegory for the feelings associated with depression? Was poor little plump Pooh depressed because he didn't have any honey? Did the black rain cloud song symbolize depression? As he tried to reach the honey, an item that wasn't his, the balloon popped on a tree branch. Could this children's story tell us something about stealing? Would it be fair to assume our hungry protagonist failed at his attempt of reaching his holy grail?

Out of a sense of obligation to answer these questions I decided to write a letter to Pooh bear and it went something like this:

Dear Pooh:

I'm sorry you failed to outsmart the bees during your adventure at the honey tree last spring. Realizing that bears eat honey I do not view your actions as attempted robbery, at least in the animal kingdom and fantasy world. I'm glad to see that you were just being a bear, doing what comes natural, and using your fictional ingenuity in disguising yourself as a rain cloud.

Humans have a different connotation of the phrase “little black rain cloud," it usually describes a state of depression. I'm sure you felt a great sense of sadness at not reaching your goal. But you did try! And a great feeling of hope came over me when the only words you used to dispel your failure was “Oh, bother.”

I wish I could be more like you as I face trying situations. For me, being able to see the signs of depression is half the battle. The other half is in what to do about it. I know that I cannot change the past and that I have very little control over the future. But I can change the present! During trying times I think of your lighthearted song and it gives me the power to laugh at myself and the world around me.

It must be difficult for you to find honey. But if the task were easy there would be no pure joy in consuming it. Such is life. Without challenges humans would know no happiness in attaining their goals. Sometimes those challenges seem beyond our control and humans feel like the little black rain cloud turns into a thunderstorm. But with time and determination we also know that again the sun will shine. Sometimes, like you, we need our friends to help us secure a warm feeling in our heart and tummy again.

Sometimes depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the human brain (contrary to your physical makeup we are not fluffed with stuff) and we need medicine to feel better.

Thanks for reminding me that even lovable teddy bears feel sad sometimes.

Best Regards,
Rhonda Peterson
Peterson Press
www.PetersonPress.com
The Greatest Strength Comes from Within
P.S. Send my best to Eeyore and I hope he finds his tail soon.

The Stroke Network, Inc.

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