In one very ordinary forest there lived a very ordinary Hedgehog. But that was only at first glance.
In reality, this Hedgehog was considered the bravest and most unusual inhabitant of the forest.
And now you will 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 Hare, as usually happens, decided to go for a morning run.
The Hedgehog kept falling behind, snorting and puffing.
The Hare sometimes had to stop and run around the Hedgehog so his friend wouldn't feel lonely.
Listen, buddy!
Said the Hare, shifting from foot to foot
Let's run up that hill, and then slide down it with a whistle?
Or maybe...
His friend the Hedgehog answered timidly,
Let's do this next time, and 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 this, as he hadn't admitted it to anyone. Not even his best friend.
And the Hare, as it seemed to the Hedgehog, wasn't afraid of anything, especially not heights. He was very brave.
Once the Hedgehog saw how the Hare mocked the Wolf, and then ran away from him. The Hedgehog would never do such a thing.
Yoo-hoo!!!
Cried the Hare,
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 which sounds were coming.
He was very hungry; it had been a long time since he'd managed to "get" anything worthwhile.
And then—such luck!
And the Wolf slowly followed the tracks of our friends...
Finally I'll have a treat...
He thought.
Hedgehog, I'm already at the top!
Cried the Hare
It's so beautiful here!
If only the Hare had turned around, he would have seen the danger lurking for them. But the hill offered a truly beautiful view.
With great difficulty reaching the Hare, the Hedgehog approached and stood beside him, rooted to the spot.
Hey, what's wrong, buddy?
Asked the Hare
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 think we'll pick up a lot of speed.
Well, I don't know... maybe it's better to just go down, enjoying the views?
The Hedgehog wouldn't give in.
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 walked slowly straight towards them, measured and calm.
Well, what, long-ears, do you remember me?
Asked the grey one of the Hare, licking his lips.
I d-d-d-don't r-r-remember...
Answered the Hare
Of course he remembered how he once mocked this Wolf and managed to escape from him. But the Hare was so frightened that he didn't even know how to answer best.
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 realizing it, the Hedgehog was very worried about his friend—the Hare, who was clearly about to be eaten first.
The Hedgehog understood that the Hare 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 for him to reach the unfortunate friends, and it wouldn't be difficult for him to catch them, so the Hedgehog decided to act immediately.
He whispered something to the Hare, took a couple of steps back, ran, and deliberately tripping over the Hare's leg, rolled head over heels down the hill.
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 saw the entire forest and all its inhabitants, who raised their heads 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 Hare watched from the hill at 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 all sorts of treats from their winter stores to his little house.
So the Hedgehog learned that the main thing is not to be afraid of nothing, but not to be frightened at the most important moment, when you and your friends really need help.
