Puddles, small and temporary pools of water typically formed by rainfall, hold a special place in British culture. They are the embodiment of the national weather’s tendency to produce mild inconvenience rather than drama. We do not generally get epic tornadoes, sandstorms or avalanches, but we do get wet feet, or splashed by a bus driving through a puddle.
The story of Walter Raleigh spreading his velvet cloak over a puddle so Queen Elizabeth I could cross while keeping her fine shoes dry is probably apocryphal. But Raleigh’s gallant if pointless gesture is typical of the low-stakes difficulty presented by puddles.
But, as small children seem to appreciate best, puddles have an upside. EE Cummings described the world of “just-spring” as “mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful”. Children’s characters such as Peppa Pig splash joyfully through puddles rather than avoiding them.
Psychologists say this is because children are driven by curiosity. Puddles are novel enough to be exciting and splashing in one is a rewarding sensory experience. Adults are more self-conscious, and more aware of consequences.
Dogs are even less troubled by getting wet. The poodle, originally Pudelhund, is a water dog which gets its name from the German word meaning to splash. For dogs, as for children, puddles are an opportunity rather than a problem.
