The little hedgehog liked to play
In roads upon a summer’s day,
Which wasn’t really all that wise
And sadly led to its demise.
For being just a trifle young
It didn’t know this rule of thumb,
That what seems small a long way off
On closer sight is big and tough.
So when the lorry curved the bend
And beeped and flashed its lights no end,
The hedgehog – looking up with glee -
Shrieked ‘That thing’s saying ‘Hello!’ to me!’
And feeling proud it took a turn
(There wasn’t that much time to learn)
Across the tarmac stretching wide
When it should have stayed close to the side.
‘I’m here!’ it screeched – ‘I like your style!’
And with a yell stretched wide a smile,
‘Let’s get together, you and me -
I feel we have a destiny!’
The lorry roared, it changed a gear,
The hedgehog felt a twinge of fear,
But being brave it held its head
And stood up straight and tall instead.
‘Hurrah! Hurray!’ it clapped and cheered
(The watching magpies coughed and jeered)
‘You’re big! You’re great! I cannot wait!’ -
But by that time it was too late.
With thirteen wheels on either side
And forty tons out for a ride,
The lorry hardly made a bump
In squashing flat that little lump.
And as each wheel rolled Hedgehog thinner
The magpies said goodbye to dinner -
And flew away to wipe their eyes
On buttercups, with heart-felt sighs.
3/00
A silly poem about a little hedgehog meeting a very big truck.
