The brief afterword, humorously titled “Backword,” summarizes the key points of The Tao of Pooh. Again turning to dialogue, Hoff and Pooh discuss the meaning of the Tao of Pooh.

The narrator reminds Pooh of the Cottleston Pie Principle, the Uncarved Block, and other concepts they have discussed throughout the work. He then asks Pooh what he believes the Tao of Pooh is.

Pooh responds with a poem that expresses the idea that if people try too hard, “the Way” escapes them. If, on the other hand, they are true to themselves, “the Way” will follow.

The narrator pronounces Pooh’s poem perfect and points out that both he and Pooh are saying the same thing.