Beatrix Potter

Who'da thunk it? Miss Potter, a biopic about Beatrix Potter starring Renee Zellwegger, opens December 29. Annie will be attending.

Which reminds me of a story ...

Once upon a time, Annie was 5 years old and visiting her uncle's family in England. Annie's parents were planning a family weekend in the Lake District to see "James Herriot country," Beatrix Potter's home (Hill Top), and a bunch of ruined castles.

Unfortunately, Annie's mom and baby brother came down with the flu, and stayed in Cambridge while Annie and her dad went on the planned trip.

In preparation for becoming the bookworm that she is today, Annie had had her parents read the Beatrix Potter tales to her over and over (and over and over). She knew every detail of every story, and every watercolor that Miss Potter had ever published. Even in the little-known stories like The Tale of Piglind Bland.

Annie and her dad arrived at Hill Top before the home-cum-museum opened, so they wandered the grounds. Delightedly, Annie recognized many small scenes from the Potter books. When the docents opened the home to visitors, Annie's dad must have picked up some type of brochure with some details about the house (sorry, fuzzy on that part), and he and Annie meandered through the home. Annie was as thrilled as a 5-year-old bookworm could be at seeing the fireplaces, and steps, and furniture that had been so faithfully reproduced in her favorite books.

Upon entering the kitchen, Annie and her dad met a group of "big kids" (at least 8 years old!) on a school trip. They had a tour guide telling them about the home, and Annie and her dad listened from the opposite side of the room. Even though the lady talked funny (like all the people in England--even her cousins), Annie still understood her, and enjoyed learning more about her favorite author.

"This mantle," said the docent, "appears on page 8 of Jemima Puddleduck, children."*

"It's in The Two Bad Mice," piped a little American voice.

The tourguide and all the big English schoolchildren stared at Annie.

"Little girl," said the tourguide, "it is in Jemima Puddleduck."

"No, it's The Two Bad Mice," shrugged Annie, "...and it's on page 4, not 8."

"Well let's just see about that," said the docent, pulling down a copy of Jemima Puddleduck from a shelf. After quickly rifling through the book, she replaced it and pulled down The Two Bad Mice. She flipped a couple pages and then slowly lowered the tiny volume.

"Well children," said the tourguide abashedly, "the little American girl is correct."


And the legend began...



(*exact details of this conversation have disappeared in the depths of memory--but basic flow is absolutely true.)