In one very ordinary forest there lived a very ordinary Hedgehog. But that was just at first glance.
In reality, this Hedgehog was considered the bravest and most unusual inhabitant of the forest.
And now you'll find out why.
It happened in winter, in those very days when so much snow had drifted that you could hide completely in a snowdrift and no one would find you.
The Hedgehog's friend, the Rabbit, as usually happens, decided to go out for a morning run.
The Hedgehog kept falling behind, snorting and puffing.
The Rabbit sometimes had to stop and run around the Hedgehog so his friend wouldn't feel lonely.
Listen, mate!
Said the Rabbit, shifting from foot to foot
Let's run up that hill and then slide down it with a whistle?
Or maybe...
Answered his friend the Hedgehog timidly,
We'll do that next time, but isn't today enough already?
The Hedgehog was certainly very tired. More than anything in the world, he wanted to go home now and rest.
And besides, to be honest, the Hedgehog was afraid of heights. But no one knew about it, as he hadn't admitted it to anyone. Not even his best friend.
And the Rabbit, as it seemed to the Hedgehog, wasn't afraid of anything, especially not heights. He was very brave.
Once the Hedgehog saw how the Rabbit mocked the Wolf and then ran away from him. The Hedgehog would never do such a thing.
Yoo-hoo!!!
Cried the Rabbit,
Hedgehog!!! Don't fall behind!!!
And the Hedgehog only snorted and puffed in response.
Yes, yes... I'm coming.
The friends got so caught up in their run that they didn't notice how they woke up the Wolf sleeping in the bushes at the foot of the hill.
Stepping silently through the snow, the Wolf fixed his gaze on the summit from where the sounds were coming.
He was very hungry; it had been a long time since he'd managed to get something worthwhile.
And then—such luck!
And the Wolf slowly followed the tracks of our friends.
Finally I'll have a feast...
He thought.
Hedgehog, I'm already at the top!
Cried the Rabbit
It's so beautiful here!
If only the Rabbit had turned around, he would have seen the danger lurking for them. But the hill really did offer a beautiful view.
Having made it to the Rabbit with great difficulty, the Hedgehog approached and stood beside him, frozen in place.
Hey, what's wrong, mate?
Asked the Rabbit
Oh, nothing...
Answered the Hedgehog, not wanting to admit that he was very frightened of the height.
We should find some log and slide down together, what do you think? It's quite high here, I reckon we'd really pick up speed.
Well, I'm not sure... maybe it's better to just go down, enjoying the views?
The Hedgehog persisted.
But then their conversation was interrupted by a sudden silence. But not the kind of silence that falls at night when everyone falls asleep and dreams, but the kind that falls before real danger.
And in this silence, the friends clearly heard the snow crunching behind them from someone's footsteps.
The friends exchanged glances and began to turn slowly.
Imagine their amazement when they saw a huge, evil Wolf!
He was walking slowly straight towards them, measured and calm.
Well, what's up, long-ears, remember me?
Asked the grey one of the Rabbit, licking his lips.
I d-d-d-don't r-r-r-remember...
Answered the Rabbit
Of course he remembered how he once mocked this Wolf and managed to escape from him. But the Rabbit was so frightened that he didn't even know how best to answer.
But I remember you...
Continued the Wolf
The Hedgehog's heart also sank with fear. Not only were they very high up, but they were also next to this terrible, dangerous and evil Wolf.
The Hedgehog couldn't even decide what he was more afraid of—heights or being eaten. Or being eaten at a height.
But at the same time, without realising it, the Hedgehog was very worried about his friend—the Rabbit, who was clearly going to be eaten first.
The Hedgehog understood that the Rabbit was brave and probably wasn't afraid of anything, but still wanted to help him.
The Wolf wasn't close, but it would only take a couple of jumps to reach the unfortunate friends, and so it wouldn't be difficult for him to catch them. Therefore, the Hedgehog decided to act immediately.
He whispered something to the Rabbit, took a couple of steps back, ran forward and, deliberately tripping over the Rabbit's foot, rolled head over heels down the slope.
Because of the blizzard, the Wolf didn't immediately see how the Hedgehog, picking up speed, turned into such a large snowball that the Wolf didn't have time to jump out of the way, and the ball hit him with full force, knocking him off his feet and throwing him back into the bushes.
From such a strong blow, the Wolf even lost consciousness.
And the Hedgehog... what about the Hedgehog?
When he hit the Wolf and the snowball broke apart, he flew so high that he could see the entire forest and all its inhabitants, who craned their necks and opened their mouths in amazement, watching the flying Hedgehog.
It's a comet!
Said some
No, it's a solar eclipse!
Said others.
And only the Rabbit watched from the hill the flying Hedgehog and was glad that he had such a strong and brave friend.
The next morning, all the forest inhabitants already knew about the Hedgehog's heroic deed, and brought various treats from their winter stores to his little house.
So the Hedgehog learned that the main thing isn't about being afraid of nothing, but about not being frightened at the most important moment, when you and your friends really need help.
