The Clever Hedgehog – A German Folk Tale about Cunning and Mutual Help
The German folk tale "The Clever Hedgehog" tells how cleverness and help from loved ones can enable even the smallest to defeat a strong and self-confident opponent.
Brief Description:
The Clever Hedgehog is a German folk tale that shows how cunning and mutual help can enable even the smallest to face a strong and self-assured opponent.
On the edge of a village, near a wheat field, lived a clever hedgehog with his family. The hedgehog was not only kind and hardworking but also extremely intelligent. One day, he went to the field to admire the sunrise and check how the ears of wheat were ripening. Suddenly, a hare jumped out of the bushes. Upon seeing the hedgehog, he sneered arrogantly and began to tease him about his short legs and slowness.
— Hey, hedgehog! With those short little legs, you can hardly even walk! – said the hare. – There's no way you can beat me in a race!
The hedgehog listened calmly to the teasing but decided to teach the hare a lesson. He suggested they have a race. — Fine, – replied the hedgehog, – let's have a race. We'll see who's faster. But I have one condition: we'll start at dawn, when the dew is still sparkling on the grass. The hare, confident in his victory, agreed.
When the hedgehog returned home, he told his wife about the race and asked for her help. — My dear, you need to be at the finish line, hidden behind a bush. As soon as the hare arrives, just peek out and say, "I’m already here!" The wife agreed to help her husband.
On the next morning, as agreed, the hare and the hedgehog met at the edge of the field. — Are you ready? – asked the hare. — Always ready! – replied the hedgehog calmly. They took their positions at the starting line, and the hare ran as fast as he could, quickly disappearing from sight. The hedgehog made a few steps and then calmly hid in the grass. At the finish line, behind the bush, his wife was already waiting.
When the hare reached the end of the field, he was stunned: standing before him was the hedgehog's wife, who confidently said: — I’m already here!
The hare, not believing his eyes, suggested running back. He took off again, but at the starting line, the hedgehog himself was waiting for him. The hare ran back and forth until he was exhausted. Meanwhile, the hedgehog and his wife just smiled slyly.
From that day on, the hare never mocked the hedgehog again, and the entire village learned of the small hedgehog's cunning and cleverness.
The Moral of the Story:
The tale teaches that intelligence and mutual help can overcome any arrogance and overconfidence. It doesn’t matter how small you are – what matters is using your strengths and the help of loved ones.
Questions for Children:
- Why did the hare tease the hedgehog?
- How did the hedgehog manage to outsmart the hare in the race?
- What lesson does this story teach us?
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