Bertie the gardener loves his tatty, old, brown, floppy hat - his dog, Oscar, has one too. Bertie is content with his life and the hat that he wears everywhere, including in the bath. That is, until he sees someone else looking important, in a different hat (a bowler hat). Bertie decides he needs a different image and goes from hat to hat (much to the dismay of Oscar) in his quest to look important, dignified, professional, clever, mysterious and magical. In the end, Bertie comes to realise that the hats can't change his character. He also discovers that he already was important, dignified, professional and clever, working his own magic in the garden - after all, Bertie is an excellent Gardner.

Apparently, just around the bend is where we'll find everything we've been looking forward to including; world peace, winning the lottery and a blissful retirement. That's great, but if they're what you're looking for you won't find them in this book. What you'll find is a series of essays that examine some diverse topics about human nature, looked at from an unusual perspective and written in a way you may not have read before - plain English. I know the daily grind keeps many of us way too busy to stop and consider - or care - about the mysteries of life let alone homilies like 'Know Thyself"; we have enough problems with 'Where are my keys?' But if you're up to examining your 'mind' whilst I examine mine, then turn the book over and let's get started. Paying close attention to our thoughts, reactions and feelings can be scary at first but it reveals a great deal about us and is well worth the effort. You're not alone and help is always available ...far closer than you imagine.