Tales of the Forest

"Jasper, wake up! -- Jasper!" Old Jasper Prickles was happily snoring, and no doubt dreaming of the sweet strawberries he had brought home this morning, to the great delight of Jessica, his wife. But Jessica had forgotten all about the luscious fruit whose fragrance filled the room. She had been woken by a terrible noise, which sounded very close. She was frightened -- and shook Jasper, begging him to wake, but to no avail. Finally, she curled her spiny hedgehog back and jabbed him with her spikes. That did the trick.

"Why don’t you leave me in peace, Jessica? Why don’t you let me sleep?" Reproachfully he looked up from his pillow... but then be heard a thunderous crash that shook the whole ground. Now Jasper too was frightened, but for Jessica’s sake he put on a brave face. "Oh, it’s that noise that scared you! Well, wait here while I have a look and see who is disturbing us."

Before she could stop him, Jasper disappeared through the round doorway of` their little home, and into the undergrowth that covered it. The crashing sounds came from all around now, and Jessica’s heart sank with dread, as she worried for Jasper’s safety... but even so, she was also just a tiny bit pleased at his bravery.