Winnie the Pooh (and Eeyore too!)

One day in the Hundred-Acre Wood, Winnie the Pooh sat in the shade of a tree feeling quite content.

Along came Owl, his face a thoughtful scowl.

"Why Mr. Owl, how do you do?  Come sit with me in the shade!" called Pooh
"No time for that now my little friend," replied Owl.  Owl began walking in circles muttering, "Oh vexation, vexation, is it the tongue or the air?  The tongue or the air?"
Pooh watched him circle for a bit and finally asked, "You look worried what's wrong?"

Mr Owl replied, "Well, I recently acquired this trombone and I ever so want to play it well!  I've read all the learned books on the matter and remain uncertain about the correct approach to articulation.  Should one focus on the tongue?  If so, where is that tongue to be placed?  Or is one better advised to focus solely on the air?  Oh, I should have consulted my great uncle, Owlther Pryor.  He was quite the trombonist, you know."

Well, Pooh had long ago stopped listening as Owl droned on.  His tummy was getting grumbly and he thought it might be time for a spot of honey.  He got up to see if he had any in his kitchen when Owl asked, "But where are you going?  You haven't helped me with my problem?"

"Who, me?" replied Pooh.
"Yes, you...Pooh" replied Owl.
"Pooh what?" replied Pooh.
"Oh bother!" shouted Owl, "Pooh, pooh, pooh, how should I articulate notes?? "
"Pooh?" replied Owl.

Owl thought for  a moment and exclaimed, "Why yes, that's it!!  Just say 'Pooh' and don't worry about the tongue synchronizing with the air! Pooh, you're a genius!  Thank you so much!"

"Your welcome?" replied Pooh.

Later, after a hearty meal of honey, Pooh was napping under that same tree when along came Eeyore.

Eeyore mumbled and grumbled, "Oh bother.  Oh bother.  Why did I ever agree to play the low notes in Owl's new trombone quartet?"
Pooh awoke and asked, "What's wrong, Eeyore?"
Eeyore sighed, "Well, you see, Mr Owl is forming a trombone quartet and wants me to play the fourth part.   I don't know why, nobody ever asks me to do anything."
"Maybe he just wants to play with you," suggested Pooh.
"No, I don't think so." moaned Eeyore.  "He said I should be able to play the low notes because I'm always feeling soooo low."
"Well, Mr Owl is very scholarlike, I mean knowledgabbible, I mean smart." said Pooh.
"But whenever I try to go from the regular notes down to the low notes, I can't make them come out! Oh bother, why did I ever agree to do this?"

Pooh thought about this a bit and began to hum a little tune to himself, "Play low, Eeyore. Down low Eeyore. Open up, open up."  (in truth, Pooh was also trying to open a honey jar while he sang).

Eeyore listened for a while and finally said, "So maybe I should just say my name: 'Eeyore' to open up for the low notes?  Well I suppose I can try that.  I doubt it will work, though.  Oh bother.  Well, goodbye Pooh."

As he trudged away, Pooh finally opened up that second honey jar and happily munched away for the rest of the afternoon.