Once upon a time, in a faraway forest at the edge of a clearing under an old maple tree, there lived a hedgehog. Every morning he crawled out of his burrow and set off to take care of his daily chores.
He had a great many chores: saying good morning to the sun and the maple tree, to his animal neighbours, doing his exercises, washing up, tidying the area around his home and stocking up on food. And he still found time to dream, because that important task was never to be skipped.
One day, when the hedgehog was sitting on his little bench as usual, dreaming, the old maple tree rustled its leaves at him:
Hedgehog, can you tell me, your friend, what you're dreaming about? Or is it a secret?
There's no secret. It's just that no one can help me.
But why not? You have so many friends!
Friends, yes, but no wings, the hedgehog answered sadly.
Why would a little grey hedgehog need wings? You're not a bird, the maple tree said in surprise.
That's exactly the point. I'm not a bird, and I have no wings. That means I can never fly south. I'll always have to sleep through the winter in my burrow! And I don't want that. I dream of seeing the ocean, basking on the sand under the warm sun, and eating sweet fruit.
But what about us? We'll be sad without you.
But I'm not going anywhere.
The Sun overheard the conversation between the two friends. It was getting ready to go to sleep, but it lingered in the sky.
And the dream? it asked.
Yes, what about your dream? We have to think of something, the maple tree rustled thoughtfully. Then a huge leaf drifted down from the top of the tree and landed right in front of the hedgehog.
This is a flying leaf that will carry you wherever you wish, the maple tree continued. Hop on quickly and fly to your dream.
The Sun was so delighted that it sent sunbeams dancing across the clearing:
I'll ask the wind, and it will lift you above the clouds. Just hold on tight, and be sure, do you hear me, hedgehog, be sure to come back to us in the spring.
The Sun warmly stroked the hedgehog's prickles, and the maple tree rustled:
Safe travels!
And the hedgehog flew off: first over his burrow, then over the maple tree, then over the clearing, and then he was gone...
But jumping ahead a little, I can say that the hedgehog's dream came true. He then came home and still found time for dreaming, because his dream is now a new one. But what it is, he hasn't told us yet.
