Hedgehog in the Snow by Joan Currie

In a quiet wood where leaves gently spread,
A hedgehog dwelled, his own path he’d tread.
Alone he preferred, in solitude’s embrace,
Away from his prickle, a solitary grace.

In rustling leaves, he found delight,
Playing alone, a lone hedge’s right.
Curling in a ball, he’d peacefully sleep,
In solitude’s company, his secrets to keep.

One morn, a snowy blanket covered the land,
The woods adorned in an arctic strand.
Under the sun’s gaze, a serene tableau,
Yet, no fellow creatures, no friend or foe.

As he played in the snow, a shadow drew near,
Unseen by the hedgehog, it whispered in his ear.
In his longing for solace, he returned to his den,
Curled up in a ball once more, in dreams to transcend.

Little hedgehog, in the quiet of his rest,
Unaware of the shadow, a mysterious guest.
Alone, he slumbers, in his dream’s reprieve,
In the snowy woods, where secrets weave.

I first learned about hedgehogs from The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, a delightful little children’s book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter. Although the protagonist hedgehog interacted with other animals in the story, hedgehogs are known to be solitary creatures – save for mating. I know at least one person who is very much a loner, like the hedgehog, and he seems very content. :)