In a message dated 11/13/2003 4:38:39 PM Eastern Standard Time, Talpianna at aol.com writes: > The book was originally called THE WIND IN THE REEDS; and you no doubt > recall > that the wind in the reeds sings the song about the Friend and Helper as > Mole > and Rat are returning from Pan's Island with the baby otter. But W.B. > Yeats's first collection of poems, THE WIND AMONG THE REEDS, had just been > published, I think even by the same publisher, so it was found necessary to > change the > title. It makes less sense, as the wind in the reeds does sound like > someone > whispering ("King Midas has asses' ears!"), where as the wind among willow > fronds just makes rattling noises. > > tal > I am constantly surprised, and impressed, by the useless information that pops up in conversation on this mailing list. It is the reason why I still subscribe. As you all know I hardly ever discuss the books, so there has to be some reason that I'm still hanging around. John D. Barbato, OD