The Boy and the Little Hedgehog

The Boy and the Little Hedgehog - Author : Aysel Banu YAVUZAL

In a cozy house with a big green garden lived a boy named Sam. He had warm light-brown skin, messy dark brown hair, and a smile with a tiny gap between his front teeth. Every morning, Sam pulled on his green rubber boots and mustardyellow rain jacket. He loved to explore the garden and look for bugs, birds, and anything that moved. 1

One misty morning, Sam heard a rustle under the bushes. He peeked through the leaves and saw a little hedgehog! It was tiny enough to fit in two cupped hands. Its brown spines were tipped with cream, and its little pink paws scrabbled in the dirt. The hedgehog snuffled and looked up with round black eyes. 'Hello, little one,' Sam whispered. 2

Sam ran to find his mother. She was watering the flowers with her green watering can. 'Mom, I found a hedgehog!' Sam said. His mother smiled, her gold earrings twinkling. 'Hedgehogs are shy and helpful,' she said. 'They eat slugs and beetles. But they need safe paths to travel and find food. Walls and roads can block their way.' Sam frowned. He didn't want the hedgehog to get hurt. 3

The little hedgehog snuffled along the garden wall, searching for a way through. But the wall was tall and solid. It couldn't find a gap. Sam watched from behind a bush. 'It looks lost,' he said to himself. 'How will it find food and friends if it can't get through?' He felt a little worried. He wanted to help. 4

Sam put on his red canvas backpack and went to visit his neighbor, Mrs. Green. She was in her garden, wearing her lavender cardigan and straw sun hat. 'Mrs. Green,' Sam said, 'do you know about hedgehogs?' She smiled, her round glasses glinting. 'I do! They need connected gardens to roam. But my wall is too high for them.' Sam had an idea. 5

Sam explained his plan. 'If we cut small openings in our garden walls, the hedgehogs can travel safely!' Mrs. Green nodded. 'That's a wonderful idea. Let's start with my wall.' She put on her gardening gloves and picked up a small saw. Sam helped mark a spot low on the wall. Together, they cut a little archway. It was just the right size for a hedgehog. 6

The next day, Sam and his mother visited more neighbors. They talked about the hedgehogs and how they needed safe paths. 'We can make small openings and plant friendly bushes,' Sam said. His mother added, 'Friendly plants like lavender and thyme attract insects, which hedgehogs eat.' The neighbors listened. Some were unsure, but Sam's enthusiasm was contagious. 7

One neighbor, Mr. Patel, said, 'I have a wall too. But I don't want hedgehogs in my garden.' Sam said, 'They're shy and they help by eating pests. And with small openings, they can move through without harming anything.' Mrs. Green added, 'It's good for all of us.' Mr. Patel thought for a moment. Then he nodded. 'Okay, let's try it.' 8

Soon, everyone was busy. They cut small openings in walls and fences. They planted lavender, thyme, and other friendly plants along the passages. Sam's mother brought her green watering can and watered the new plants. The neighbors worked together, smiling and chatting. Sam felt proud. The garden was becoming a network of safe paths for the hedgehogs. 9

The little hedgehog snuffled through the first opening. It found a garden full of insects and slugs. It ate until its tummy was full. Then it explored another passage, and another. It met another hedgehog! They touched noses and snuffled happily. Sam watched from a distance, careful not to scare them. He saw the hedgehog had found a friend. 10

Weeks passed. The hedgehogs became regular visitors. Sam saw them often, snuffling and searching for food. One evening, he saw the first hedgehog again. It looked bigger and healthier. It had made a nest under a bush. Sam smiled. His small act of help had made a big difference. He realized that even little openings can change a lot for animals. 11

Sam's mother said, 'You see, small conservation actions matter. By working together, we made a big difference.' Mrs. Green agreed. 'And the hedgehogs thank you.' Sam beamed, his freckled face glowing. He knew that helping nature was important. He promised to keep protecting the hedgehogs and their paths. The neighborhood was now a safe haven for wildlife. 12

The hedgehog family grew. Soon, there were baby hedgehogs, tiny and spiny, following their mother through the passages. The neighbors loved watching them. Mr. Patel even put out a shallow dish of water for them. 'They're not so bad,' he said. Sam laughed. He was happy that everyone had helped. The garden was now a connected community for both people and animals. 13

Sam learned that even small acts of help can protect nature. He started a nature club at school, telling his friends about hedgehogs and safe paths. His mother helped him make a poster. Mrs. Green gave him a book about hedgehogs. Sam read it every night. He felt proud of what they had achieved. He knew that everyone can make a difference, no matter how small. 14

The little hedgehog snuffled happily in its safe home. It had plenty of food and friends. Sam watched it from his window, wearing his mustard-yellow rain jacket. He smiled, showing the gap in his teeth. He knew that his small act of help had made a big difference. And he was ready to help nature again, one small step at a time.