I do not want a hug

Erin the hedgehog was sad 

“cheer up” , said Felipe Weasel, “it might never happen”. Felipe tried to hug Erin

“I DO NOT WANT A HUG” said Erin, and carried on walking 

“Turn that frown upside-down” said Otto the (bat-eared) fox. “Come play in the leaves with me”

“I DO NOT WANT TO PLAY IN THE LEAVES” said Erin, and carried on walking 

“You just need to think positive” said Suri the Meerkat “stand proud and look at the world”

“I DO NOT WANT TO STAND PROUD” said Erin, and carried on walking 

“eat some of these hazelnuts and you’ll feel better” said Scurry the Squirrel 

“I DO NOT WANT TO EAT HAZELNUTS” said Erin, and carried on walking 

Ereth the Porcupine Sat still, on a log. She looked at Erin, and then looked at the space next to her on the log, and then looked back at Erin.

“AREN’T YOU GOING TO TELL ME TO CHEER UP?” asked Erin

“no,” said Ereth

“WELL THEN AREN’T YOU GOING TO TELL ME TO STAND PROUD?”

“no,” said Ereth

“WELL THEN AREN’T YOU GOING TO TELL ME TO PLAY IN THE LEAVES?”

“no”, said Ereth 

Erin was so used to being angry and spiky that she didn’t know how to react.

“if you like,” said Ereth, “I’ll help you get that thorn out of your paw”

Erin realised that the thorn had been there all along, and that was why she was so grumpy. When Ereth pulled it out, she felt better, and a also a little silly for being angry with her friends. 

They had tried to help, but because it wasn’t the help she needed, she had been mean to them.

“thank you, Ereth”, said Erin. I didn’t mean to be mean, I was just hurting. Would you wait for me while I go say sorry to my friends?

“I will”, said Ereth, “And when you get back, if you like, you can sit on my log with me”

Erin went to see Felipe, and gave him a hug.

Then she went to see Otto, and chased him through the leaves

Then she went to see Suri, and they both stood as tall as they could and watched the sun set

Then she went to see Scurry, and picked up some hazel nuts on the way, which they shared.

When she got back to Ereth, there was a little fire going, in front of the log. 

“If you like,” Said Ereth “you can have a hug” 

“I would like a hug!”, said Erin.

She carefully tucked away her spikes, and cuddled up to Ereth.