Richard, the young hedgehog, came home from wood school. He was upset, wishing to be someone other than a hedgehog. He told his parents that he wished to be as strong as a bear, or fluffy as a squirrel, or at least neat as a cat, but he had only the spikes.

Mr. Mortimer, his father, noticing his son's sadness, decided to cheer him up by taking him fishing.

The father and son enjoyed their fishing time: they were laughing, and splashing and eating the most delicious pie Richards's mom gave them. They even caught a few fish but released them back, as Richard felt sorry for the creatures.

On their way back home, the woods were dark, they followed the overgrown trail, hearing only light wind and an owl somewhere in the distance. Suddenly they heard crackling branches like someone heavy was walking their way.

Soon they heard whispers and noticed the shadows behind the trees. Voices were getting closer. They were plotting the late-night visit to the Rabbit family and everyone who heard the whispers and the laughter would know that nothing good comes from it. That was the Woolf and Fox discussing their evil plan.

At first, Richard was scared, but then he imagined how scared his friend Sunny would be, or her 12 little brothers. So Richard came up with his own plan. He briefly and quietly explained to his dad what should they do.

Richard revealed himself and started teasing the bandits, and when they got dangerously close, he curled into a spiky ball. The wolf was trying to get him with his paws or jaws, but no luck. Smart hedgehogs were leading the predators closer to the edge of the wood-closer to the human dwelling. Richard knew that humans had dogs and guns and would try to hunt the predators. So they were rolling and the predators following.

Right on the wood edge, they heard the dogs barking-that was the sign that they smelled the Woolf and the Fox and soon enough they heard human voices and with the first sound of the hunters' rifles the predators were scared away.

Right on the wood edge, they heard the dogs barking-that was the sign that they smelled the Woolf and the Fox and soon enough they heard human voices and with the first sound of the hunters' rifles the predators were scared away.

Before bed, Richard confessed to his mother how happy he was to be a hedgehog, realizing the importance of his spikes.

Before bed, Richard confessed to his mother how happy he was to be a hedgehog, realizing the importance of his spikes.