The Hedgehog and the Squirrel

The Hedgehog and the Squirrel Jane MEADOW

Autumn had come to the Great Green Wood, and the leaves were turning red and gold. Hazel the hedgehog scurried under the ferns, her cream-tipped spines catching the sunlight. She carried a small red leaf on her back, a treasure she had found that morning. But Hazel had a worry. Winter was coming, and she needed a warm, safe nest to sleep in until spring. 1

Hazel sniffed at a pile of dry grass, but it was too scratchy. She tried a hollow under a log, but it was too damp. "I need soft leaves and a snug, dry place," she said with a little sigh. Her round dark eyes looked at the falling leaves. There was so much to do, and the days were growing shorter. She felt a bit shy about asking for help. 2

Not far away, Sammy the squirrel was racing up and down an oak tree. His big bushy tail waved like a flag as he gathered acorns and seeds. "First frost is coming," he chattered. "I need plenty of nuts to last the winter!" His bright amber eyes sparkled, but his tiny paws were full. He had so many acorns to collect, and the days were passing quickly. 3

Sammy spotted Hazel under the oak tree, looking at a heap of leaves. "Hello, Hazel!" he called, dropping an acorn. "You look worried." Hazel shuffled her small feet. "I need a warm nest for winter, but I can't find the right leaves." Sammy twitched his whiskers. "I can help! I know where the softest leaves are." 4

Sammy led Hazel to a secret spot behind the blackberry bushes, where the ground was covered with dry, soft leaves. "These are perfect for a nest," he said. Hazel's face lit up. "Thank you, Sammy!" She began to gather them, but the pile was big. Sammy scampered back and forth, bringing more leaves in his paws. "Many paws make light work!" he laughed. 5

Hazel found a hollow at the base of a big oak tree. It was dry and snug, just right for a hedgehog. She lined it with the soft leaves Sammy had brought. "This will be so cozy," she said. But she noticed Sammy looking at his own stash of acorns. It was small. "You need more food, don't you?" she asked. Sammy nodded. "I have so many trees to check." 6

Hazel thought for a moment. "I can help you gather nuts," she said. "My nose is good at finding them on the ground." Sammy's eyes widened. "Would you? That would be wonderful!" So Hazel snuffled through the fallen leaves, her tiny black nose twitching. She found acorns and beechnuts that Sammy had missed, and he tucked them into his cheeks. 7

All afternoon they worked together. Sammy climbed high in the branches, shaking down nuts, while Hazel collected them below. "Here's a big one!" she called, rolling an acorn toward him. Sammy laughed and stuffed it into his cheek. "You're a great nut-finder, Hazel!" The autumn sun was warm, and the wood was full of rustling leaves and happy chatter. 8

As the days grew colder, Hazel added more leaves to her nest. Sammy brought moss and soft grass, too. "Your nest looks like a little leaf castle," he said. Hazel smiled. "And your pantry is getting full!" Sammy had stored nuts in a hollow log, in a tree stump, and even under a rock. "I couldn't have done it without you," he said. 9

One morning, a chilly wind blew through the wood. "The first frost is coming tonight," Sammy said, his breath making little clouds. "Is your nest ready?" Hazel nodded. "Thanks to you, it's warm and safe." She looked at Sammy. "Do you have enough food?" Sammy patted his cheeks. "Plenty! Thanks to you." They both smiled. 10

That evening, Hazel crawled into her nest. The soft leaves rustled around her, and she felt warm and snug. She thought about Sammy, who had helped her even when he was busy. "Friends help each other," she whispered. She peeked out and saw Sammy waving from his tree. "Goodnight, Hazel!" he called. "Sleep well!" 11

Sammy settled into his own cozy nest, high in the oak tree. His pantry was full of nuts and seeds, and his belly was round. He thought about Hazel, who had helped him gather food even though she was shy. "Friends support each other's different needs," he said to himself. He felt happy and grateful. The first frost sparkled on the leaves outside. 12

The next morning, the wood was white with frost. Hazel woke up warm and safe. She poked her nose out and saw Sammy scampering down the tree. "You're awake!" he said. "I brought you a present." He placed a tiny acorn cap filled with seeds by her nest. "For you," he said. "In case you get hungry." Hazel's heart felt full. 13

All winter long, Hazel and Sammy stayed close. Sammy shared his nuts, and Hazel shared stories from her dreams. They laughed and played in the snow. "I'm so glad we helped each other," Hazel said. Sammy nodded. "Me too. Friends make winter feel warm." And they knew that no matter how cold it got, they would always be there for each other. 14

When spring came, Hazel and Sammy met under the oak tree. "Thank you for helping me," Hazel said. "I couldn't have made my nest without you." Sammy smiled. "And I couldn't have gathered all my food without you." They looked at the new green leaves. "Friends help each other," they said together. And they knew it was true.