The hedgehog loves to wander through the forest. He enjoys looking at the tall, tall trees, against which he seems ever so small. The hedgehog especially loves guessing what sort of tree stands before him.
There's a thick, broad trunk of a majestic tree — that's surely an oak! It has beautiful carved leaves, and acorns are scattered all around. And there are the slender aspen sisters rustling their leaves.
If he sees dense red clusters — that's surely the beautiful rowan tree. The forest is a wonderful place. You never know where the path will lead you or whom you'll meet among the trees.
The hedgehog wanders through the forest every day searching for berries and fruits, and when he finds them, he catches them on his spines and continues on, looking quite beautiful. But the hedgehog doesn't only search for berries in the forest. Really, he's searching for friends. Early each morning he chooses a path to follow, and each day is a new journey full of adventure. But this time was special.
The hedgehog set off on a walk along a strange, winding path he hadn't noticed before. It was as if it had only appeared today. He wandered for a long time past tall trees, listening to the birds singing, breathing in the fresh air. Time passed, and the hedgehog went deeper and deeper into the thicket, but he didn't meet any forest creatures.
Suddenly the birds' singing became more melodious. Their voices, which the hedgehog had heard many, many times, blended into a harmonious, beautiful melody. The hedgehog listened to these sounds, mesmerised. He noticed that the deeper he went into the forest along the unusual path, the more beautiful and vibrant the melody became.
He walked further and further, amazed by the magical sounds, until he saw a small forest clearing. And in this clearing stood a young girl with bright red curly hair and green eyes. Her unusual long dress resembled the rowan clusters that the hedgehog loved so much. On her head sat a lush wreath of maple leaves. The hedgehog approached the girl and said:
Hello there, I'm a hedgehog, what's your name? I haven't seen you before. Snuffle-snuffle.
Hello, dear hedgehog. I'm Autumn, — the girl answered in a soft, enchanting voice.
What do you mean, 'Autumn'? — asked the little creature with interest.
Let me show you, — the girl replied happily.
Autumn spun around, and leaves swirled about her. She sang to the music of the birds' voices:
The leaves have turned gold,
The forest is painted bright,
The time of magic has come,
The moment of wonders is here...
Autumn waved one hand — and painted the trees in vibrant colours. She waved the other — and mushrooms appeared beneath the trees. She twirled around, and a light drizzle began to fall.
The hedgehog couldn't believe his eyes. Could this really be happening? Or was it some wonderful dream? When he felt the light autumn rain, he knew he wasn't sleeping.
Come here, hedgehog, don't get wet, — called Autumn to the little creature.
She waved the hem of her dress, and a large maple leaf appeared beside her. It was yellow with red streaks, and much larger than the little hedgehog. The hedgehog sheltered from the rain under the leaf, while Autumn spun about in the light drops and laughed merrily.
That's what I'm like! What a wonderful season has arrived!
Autumn, let's be friends, snuffle-snuffle, — suggested the hedgehog.
Yes, but don't tell anyone that you've seen me. You can come to this clearing, and I'll show you tricks. Look! — Autumn stretched out her hand, and a red, ripe apple appeared in it. She gave it to the hedgehog.
The surprised hedgehog happily accepted the gift. He carefully placed the apple on his spines.
And besides, if we're real friends, you can come to me, and we can play together, — said the hedgehog.
Of course, dear hedgehog, I'll visit you sometimes, but not in this form. No one should see me like this. I'll fly past you as a maple leaf, and you'll know it's my greeting to you. Or I'll tap on your roof with raindrops — that's me calling you to play in the puddles. You'll always recognise me if you want to.
The hedgehog was delighted with this meeting. They chatted with Autumn about everything under the sun for a long time. And when it was time to head home, Autumn said:
If you want to find this magical clearing, follow the birds. Their singing will always lead you to me.
Wonderful. I'm glad we're friends, Autumn. Snuffle-snuffle. We'll never part now.
That's not quite right, hedgehog. In three months I'll have to leave and make way for my sister. Her name is Winter.
But what about me? How will I manage without you? Snuffle-snuffle, — asked the hedgehog sadly.
Don't worry, you'll like Winter too. And so you don't forget about me, you can take a few leaves and dry them. But most importantly, next year we'll meet again.
Wonderful. Just promise you won't forget me either. Snuffle-snuffle.
I promise!
Autumn lifted the hedgehog into her arms and kissed his little nose, which had no spines. The hedgehog snuffled.
And we still have three more wonderful months ahead! — she said joyfully. — See you soon! Come and play with me tomorrow.
The hedgehog went home happy because he'd made a new friend and had such an incredible adventure. And on his spines sat a huge red autumn apple.
