Read Along: Penny Hedgehog and the Warmest Hug
Deep in the rolling meadow beside the whispering brook lived Penny, the gentlest little hedgehog in all of Willow Creek. Penny loved helping others, sharing dandelion tea, and telling silly jokes that made the meadow mice giggle.
Yet today, Penny had a tiny brown frown on her furry face. She watched Rosie Rabbit and Barnaby Bear give each other a big, cozy hug by the meadow fence.
Just then, a crisp autumn gust swept across the clearing! Yellow, orange, and crimson leaves swirled into the air, blowing right away from the winter nests that Sammy Squirrel and Rosie Rabbit were trying to build.
Penny perked up her little nose. Without hesitating for a moment, she curled into a round, tidy little ball and rolled back and forth across the carpet of autumn leaves. In less than a minute, dozens of soft, colorful leaves stuck safely to her quills!
She happily rolled right up to Rosie's burrow and shook herself gently, showering the little nest with a golden mountain of crisp, cozy bedding.
Penny smiled shyly. "I am glad I could help. But I still wish I could give you both a warm hug to celebrate."
Rosie Rabbit knelt down, touched Penny's soft velvet nose, and smiled with deep warmth. "Penny, a hug isn't just wrapping your arms around someone. A real hug is the warmth you give to others when you are kind, helpful, and caring. Your heart gives the warmest hugs in all of Willow Creek!"
Penny's quills relaxed into the softest, smoothest coat. Her little heart felt completely full, and she curled into her cozy burrow for a peaceful, happy night's rest.
