The hedgehog loves to walk through the forest. He enjoys looking at the tall, tall trees, against which he seems very small. The hedgehog especially likes to guess what kind of tree is in front of him.
There's a thick, wide trunk of a majestic tree—that's definitely an oak! It has beautiful carved leaves, and acorns are scattered all around it. And there are the thin sister aspens rustling their leaves.
If he sees thick red clusters—that's surely the beautiful rowan tree. The forest is a wonderful place. You never know where a path will lead you or who you'll meet among the trees.
The hedgehog wanders through the forest every day looking for berries and fruits, and when he finds them, he sticks them on his spines and continues on, looking quite beautiful. But the hedgehog isn't just looking for berries in the forest. Really, he's looking for friends. Every morning he chooses a path to follow, and each day is a new 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 walked for a long time past tall trees, listening to bird songs and breathing in the fresh air. Time passed, and the hedgehog went deeper and deeper into the thicket, but he didn't meet any forest animals.
Suddenly the bird songs became more melodious. Their voices, which the hedgehog had heard many times before, blended into a harmonious, beautiful melody. The hedgehog listened to these sounds, mesmerized. He noticed that the deeper he went into the forest along the unusual path, the more beautiful and bright the melody became.
He walked further and further, amazed by the magical sounds, until he saw a small forest clearing. And in that clearing stood a young girl with bright red curly hair and green eyes. Her unusual long dress looked like the rowan berries that the hedgehog loved so much. On her head sat a lush wreath of maple leaves. The hedgehog approached the girl and said:
Hello, 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 gentle, enchanting voice.
What do you mean, 'Autumn'? asked the little animal with interest.
Let me show you, the girl replied happily.
Autumn spun around, and leaves swirled around her. She sang to the music of the bird voices:
The leaves have turned yellow,
The forest is painted bright,
The time of magic has come,
The time of wonders is here...
Autumn waved one hand—and painted the trees in bright colours. She waved the other—and mushrooms appeared under 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, Autumn called to the little animal.
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 in the light drops and laughed brightly.
That's what I'm like! What a wonderful season has arrived!
Autumn, let's be friends, snuffle-snuffle, the hedgehog suggested.
Yes, but don't tell anyone you saw 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 stuck the apple on his spines.
And also, 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 recognize me if you want to.
The hedgehog was delighted with this meeting. They talked with Autumn about everything for a long time. And when it was time to go home, Autumn said:
If you want to find this magical clearing, follow the birds. Their singing will always lead you to me.
Good. I'm glad we're friends, Autumn. Snuffle-snuffle. We'll never be apart now.
That's not quite right, hedgehog. In three months I'll have to leave and give way to my sister. Her name is Winter.
But what about me? How will I live without you? Snuffle-snuffle, the hedgehog asked 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 the most important thing is that next year we'll meet again.
Good. Just promise you won't forget me either. Snuffle-snuffle.
I promise!
Autumn lifted the hedgehog in her arms and kissed his nose, which had no spines. The hedgehog snuffled.
But we still have three wonderful months ahead! she said happily. See you soon! Come play with me tomorrow.
The hedgehog went home happy because he had made a new friend and had such an incredible adventure. And on his spines sat a huge red autumn apple.
