This is what they're missing out on If your childhood didn't include Winnie-the-Pooh, you missed out big time. NORMALLY I'm in awe of the Polish. Crushed by the Soviets during the Cold War and boasting neither the culinary talent of the Spanish, the sex appeal of the Italians or even the spectacular financial chicanery of the Greeks, they've nevertheless proved themselves to be a people of purpose. Compared with neighbouring Ukraine, which is like a pit bull on the loose, Poland is becoming the pedigree of Europe, what with its economic triumphs, democratic reforms and education successes. I'd also been led to believe they're cultural progressives, and any day now would be turning out Pixar-quality films or, at the very least, a passable entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. This is the sort of less-than-passable entry Poland has offered in the past. Well, tales of their advancements are greatly exaggerated, because news comes from the small town of Tuszyn that councillors have banned attempts to name the local park after Winnie-the-Pooh because he is "immodestly dressed." Other concerns were that he lacked a clear gender, and one councillor suggested the beloved fictional bear might be a "hermaphrodite." MORE: Polish playground bans Winnie-the-Pooh This is ridiculous, because a thorough inspection of my daughter's "Pooh" reveals that while love has rubbed him bare, he boasts no genitalia, and even if he did, anyone who's read the book could tell you he's committed to Piglet. In a non-sexual, "just good friends" kind of way - although who knows what the plush and stuffed get up to at night. Honestly, if you're going to take offence at a children's character, why not go The Cat in The Hat, who's clearly a home invader, or the Wombles, who were not only naked but loitered in parks, or Buzz Lightyear, who's thick because, duh, there's nothing beyond infinity. Nothing beyond infinity? Oh pipe down you silly aliens. The Poles will regret their poo-pooing of Pooh because, seriously, all I know about life I've learned from him. Like anyone wanting to understand philosophy - or just look clever - I've had a crack at Proust and Dostoevsky but they're just a preamble to the wisdom of A A Milne's Pooh. Here are 10 life lessons I've learned from an 88-year-old bear with a penchant for honey and an aversion to pants: On individuality The things that make me different are the things that make me. The number of times I've quoted this to my daughters, as their lives become increasingly indexed to Instagram and its homogenous images of perfection. On change How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. My eldest was devastated when she left primary school. In her school captain's speech, she forced back tears as she quoted the above. Of course, I blubbed something stupid. On embracing others You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes. So many people are friends waiting to be made, if only we'd be brave. And it's so easy - just ask questions. And listen - properly listen - to the answers. On communication ... when you are a Bear of Very Little Brain, and you Think of Things, you find sometimes that a Thing which seemed very Thingish inside you is quite different when it gets out into the open and has other people looking at it. See why I love this bear? So smart, so self-deprecating, so playful with language. If more of us had the courage to share our "things," we might be less fraught about our worries and more flexible with our views. Pooh has always been a great sharer of "things." On small pleasures "It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?" Or breakfast. Or dinner. Or drinks. On optimism ""Supposing a tree fell down, Pooh, when we were underneath it?" "Supposing it didn't," said Pooh after careful thought. Piglet was comforted by this. As a reformed catastrophiser, I've read The Optimistic Child and tried to teach my kids to see the glass as half full. But this says it all. On love Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh?" he whispered. Yes, Piglet? "Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's hand. "I just wanted to be sure of you."" Love - we expect so much from it. How much might be solved simply by slipping your hand through someone else's? On anticipation ""Well," said Pooh, "what I like best ..." and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called. My youngest wants a trampoline for Christmas. She's wanted a trampoline all year. We've measured the garden and looked online and she's even put an old mattress on the lawn, pretending what it might be like to jump there. Ah - the joy of delayed gratification. This is the moment Pooh was thinking about. On imagination ""Hello, Rabbit," he said, "is that you?" "Let's pretend it isn't," said Rabbit, "and see what happens."" Parenting requires so much good sense. How much simpler it might be if we gave in to silliness. On what matters ""Sometimes," said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."" Whenever I'm conflicted in my priorities, I remember this. It's why I called my book The Smallest Things. Winnie-the-Pooh will forever be my touchstone. I suspect the Polish were half sozzled on vodka. I hope they come to their senses. Email: angelamollard@gmail.com Twitter: @angelamollard