THE hedgehog is a little beast 

Who likes a quiet wood. 

Where he can feed his family 

On proper hedgehog food. 

He has a funny little snout 

That's rather like a pig's. 

With which he smells, like us, of course. 

But also runts and digs. 

He wears the queerest prickle coat. 

Instead of hair or fur. 

And only has to curl himself 

To bristle like a burr. 

He does not need to battle with 

Or run away from foes. 

His coat does all the work for him, 

It pricks them on the nose.