Pitir the Hedgehog and the Winter Sleep

Do you remember Pitir the hedgehog? The little hedgehog who collected stars and gave them away. Autumn was over, and winter was at the door. Hedgehogs sleep in winter; a long, deep sleep. Pitir had filled his nest with leaves and eaten his fill.

But before he slept there was something he had to do: say good night to everyone.

First he went to the rabbit. "Good night, rabbit. See you in the spring." The rabbit waggled an ear: "Sleep well, Pitir. I'll keep the carrots."

Then he went to the squirrel. "Good night, squirrel." The squirrel called from the tree: "I've saved you a hazelnut, for the spring!"

Then he went to the owl. The owl sleeps by day and is awake at night. "Owl, will you watch over the forest while I sleep?" The owl blinked: "Every night. I promise."

Then he went to the stream. "Good night, stream." The stream was about to freeze: "Shrrr... good night..."

Then he went to the oak tree. "Good night, oak." The oak let its last leaf fall onto Pitir: "Put this on top of your quilt."

Pitir went back to his nest. He spread the leaf over himself. Outside the first snow began to fall. The nest was warm, dark and silent. Pitir became a tiny ball.

"Good night, forest," he said. "Good night, stars. Good night, me."

And he slept. Until the spring.

You won't sleep until the spring, don't worry. Only until the morning. But first, you say good night to everyone too. To your pillow, your quilt, your teddy bear, your window. And to yourself: good night, me.