Edge of the forest. Morning.
Hedgehog! Come out! Wake up! Come play with us and do exercises!" cried the sister Squirrels at their friend's burrow.
I just opened my eyes," answered the sleepy Hedgehog, peeking out from underground.
Stop sleeping! Friends have come to you and are calling you to warm up!" the sisters answered in unison.
What game will we play?
Tag. We'll only run on the ground.
Okay," answered the Hedgehog, stretching.
And afterwards, let's do some physical exercises," suggested the squirrels.
How do you do that?" the Hedgehog didn't understand.
Well, paws up and down, paws to the side, turn your head back and forth," and the older Squirrel began to demonstrate the exercises. "Every morning you need to start with washing, brushing your teeth, and exercising. You'll be healthy, brave, and strong. Let's do exercises!"
Two Squirrels and the Hedgehog began to play tag on the forest edge, joking and laughing.
Caw! Caw!" croaked the Raven, settling on a spruce branch. "What's all this commotion so early in the morning? What a noise!"
We're doing morning exercises," her friends answered.
Can I join you?" asked the Raven and descended to the ground.
Of course! Join us!"
What should I do?"
Spread your wings and raise them slowly up, then lower them down," commanded the Squirrel.
The Raven began to do the exercises. At that moment, a young Hare ran by.
What are you laughing about? We can hear you from far away!" he asked.
We're doing morning exercises," answered the Hedgehog. "The Raven has even joined us."
Can I join you too?" asked the Hare.
Yes," answered the friends in unison.
What should I do..." The Hare fell silent mid-sentence. He froze in place, widened his eyes, dropped his ears, and stared at one point.
Everyone looked where he was looking and saw a snake.
A viper!" croaked the Raven loudly and flew to a branch. The squirrels quickly climbed a tree too. And the Hedgehog curled up into a spiky ball and rolled towards the snake.
The viper hissed and crawled towards the ball, raised its head, and stuck out its long thin tongue.
Watch out! The viper will bite! It will poison you!" croaked the Raven loudly.
And the Hare couldn't move from his spot, but trembled like an aspen leaf. The viper lunged at the Hedgehog but pricked itself on the sharp spines. The snake lowered its head to the grass, and at that moment the Hedgehog grabbed it by the tail and ate it.
The Raven was so surprised it even stopped croaking. What a fight! Unusual!
How did you manage that?" asked the Hare of the Hedgehog, stopping trembling and raising his ears up.
We hedgehogs are not afraid of poisonous snakes. Their poison doesn't harm us. But they are very tasty. I ate so much that I won't need food today or tomorrow," answered the Hedgehog cheerfully.
Caw! Caw! The Hedgehog ate the snake! Caw! Caw! The Hedgehog saved us!" cried the Raven, flying over the forest.
The Squirrels came down from the tree and suggested continuing to play tag.
We agree!" answered the Hare and Hedgehog joyfully.
