Hedgehog in The Fog
In the evenings, Hedgehog went to Bear's house to count stars.
Perched on a log, they would sip tea and gaze into the starry sky.
It hung over the roof, right behind the chimney.
The stars to the right of the chimney were Bear's.
The stars to the left were Hedgehog's.
I'll tell him: "I've brought you raspberry jam..."
And he'll say: "The samovar's cooled off—
We'd better put some of those... JUNIPER TWIGS on the fire."
And then I'll tell him...
and I'll tell him... I'll...
I wonder, thought Hedgehog,
If the horse lies down to sleep,
will she suffocate in the fog?
And he started off slowly down the hill
to get into the fog and see
what it was like inside there.
Hmm. I can't even see my paw!
Horse!
But the horse didn't say anything.
What a weirdo.
Hedgehog!
I'm in the river,
Let the water carry me along, decided Hedgehog.
He gave a deep sigh and began to float downstream with the current.
Hedgehog!
I'm soaked through. I'll drown soon.
Suddenly someone touched his paw.
Excuse me, said Someone very quietly.
Who are you and how did you end up here?
I'm Hedgehog. I fell in the river.
Then get on my back.
I'll carry you to the shore.
Thank you.
Don't mention it, said Someone.
Hedgehog! Where were you?
I called and called, but you didn't answer!
I've already got the samovar going,
And I put our seat out to be comfortable while we count...
And then I thought "he'll be here soon...
and we'll sit down and have tea
with raspberry jam—"
it is raspberry jam you brought, isn't it?
And I've got the samovar going,
And put twigs on the fire... those twigs... those..."
Juniper twigs?
Juniper twigs, to make the smoke smell nice!
And... and... because... because...
who else but you would count the stars properly?"
Bear talked and talked and Hedgehog thought:
Still, it's wonderful that we're together again.
And Hedgehog
also thought about the horse:
How is she, there... in the fog?
The End