Forest tales. The hedgehog #1

     A little hedgehog, with a shaggy tummy and sharp needles on his back, puffing and smacking, was looking for food in the grass.

    He saw me, but returned to his urgent business of finding food and adventure. His round, moist nose rustled with dry leaves, and his eyes and ears caught every movement and sound around him.

    After several delicate attempts to draw his attention, I finally said: "Good afternoon, Mr. Hedgehog!"

  The hedgehog puffed something in displeasure, but it did not stop me and I continued: "How are you today?"

  The small nose rustled with dry leaves again.

    Demonstrating with his whole look a slight irritation of my awkward attempts to start a conversation, the hedgehog suddenly turned in my direction and unexpectedly kindly uttered:

    "Once my grandfather, who was a serious connoisseur of forest etiquette, taught me that a self-respecting hedgehog should not talk with food in his mouth. I apologize!"

  And he again rustled his nose in the grass.

    It was difficult for me to object and I modestly kept silent. After a while the hedgehog again looked at me and already kinder continued:

  "To start the conversation, it would be good to get acquainted, how do you think?"

    Thus began our friendship.

  After many long and pleasant joint walks, I received an invitation to visit him.

  "Life is so beautiful, but I thought differently when I was a young hedgehog." I felt unhappy in the Great Forest, animals and birds were runnning, jumping and flying around me and I stood alone under an oak tree in the clearing and talked about World Sorrows".

    The hedgehog divided the bun into small pieces. In turn, he dropped the pieces into sweet coffee and ate them slowly. And then he began his stories.

  He had a pleasant and open smile. Perhaps he had too round tummy for such a small animal, but tasty pies and biscuits were more important to him than an ideal figure.

    Once he told me:

   "- remember, the days that begin with tears often end in joy;

    - you are never alone. You can go and think that you are alone, but in reality we are never alone;

    - always try to be yourself, only so you can be happy;

    - you are stronger than your fear. Always remember about this and do not succumb to fear.

  To be continued…

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