Harmon the Hedgehog

This is a story of a hedgehog. But not just any ordinary hedgehog, because who wants to read a story about an ordinary hedgehog eating mushrooms and bugs? That would be pretty boring. Well, lucky for you, this hedgehog is an extraordinary hedgehog mainly because of his bravery and imagination.

In the early morning, Harmon wakes up and blinks his beady black eyes. He has short stubby legs, a round furry body, and a cute button nose. But don’t tell him he has a cute button nose, because that would make him extremely embarrassed.

Harmon’s excited on this brand new day. He knows there’ll be lots of adventures to go on, so he puts on his cape, grabs his sword, kisses his mom on the cheek--because what Mother doesn’t want their son to kiss them on the cheek before they leave for an adventure--and heads outside.

He even has a theme song which you could listen to if this story ever gets turned into a TV show or a full feature movie, or if you or the person who is reading this to you is musically inclined in any way.

It goes, “Da-Daa Da Da-De-Da-Da Da Daa Da-De-Daa! Da-Daa De Daa Daa Daa BLAAAA!”

But wait! There are lyrics!

“Harmon, he is a hedgehog, and he’s really brave! Harmon, the greatest of all!”

Singing his theme song, he takes a few practice swings with his sword to be ready for what might lie ahead, certain that he looks fearsome and intimidating. Okay, so it’s only a wooden sword and he probably doesn’t have much range and motion because of his short arms, but that’s never stopped him before. With determination, he presses forward through tall grass, cutting the blades down with his sword, swinging left and right, right and left, until he arrives at the dirt road.

There it is, on the other side of the road. The monster. A monster who has been terrorizing small creatures everywhere. Actually, it’s a fence post with a bucket on top. But someone had drawn two large eyes and a jagged line for the mouth so to any creature of Harmon’s size, it appears really, really scary.

The monster has a theme song too, but not an elaborate one. Just enough of a theme to show that it means business. Scary business.

“Bum Bum BUUUMMM! Da-Dat!”

Wow. Maybe a monster like that can be a little too scary. I mean if you could see that crazy face it’s making! In fact. Could it be that it’s a little too daunting for our poor little hero? Perhaps he needs a little encouragement. If only there was someone who could cheer him on. Someone who could let him know that he can do it! (Nudge, nudge).

Thank you for your participation! That was just what Harmon needed. Now armed with greater strength and more bravery, our hero hedgehog faces the scary monster.

Leaping up on a rock (large boulder), he plunges towards the fiend’s face, knocking the bucket clear off the post with his sword.

Hurrah! The monster is no more! All small to medium sized creatures can rejoice and be relieved. Harmon, the extraordinary hedgehog, has saved the day.

“Harmon, he is a hedgehog, and he’s really brave! Harmon, the greatest of all!”

He finds the path back home and tells his mother all about his courageous deeds. His mother’s awfully proud and gives him a mushroom bug sandwich with extra crunchy bugs, just how Harmon likes it.

When he finishes his last bite, he goes out into the grass again. What courageous deed will Harmon do next in his continuing adventures?