Anya lived in a quaint cottage nestled amidst a sprawling forest. She was a solitary soul, content with her books, her garden, and the occasional visit from the local deer. One crisp autumn evening, as she was curling up with a good book, a peculiar tapping sound echoed through the quiet.
Intrigued, Anya ventured towards the door. Peering out, she saw a small, furry creature shivering on her doorstep. It was a hedgehog, its quills dampened by the recent rain. Without hesitation, Anya scooped the tiny creature up and brought it inside.
She named the hedgehog "Prickles" and set about making it comfortable. A warm blanket, a bowl of water, and a few juicy worms later, Prickles seemed to settle down. As the days turned into weeks, Prickles became a regular visitor, often sharing Anya's meals and even joining her on walks through the woods.
One evening, as they were enjoying a peaceful stroll, they stumbled upon a group of hikers. The hikers were startled by Prickles, but Anya assured them that he was harmless and quite friendly. To their surprise, the hikers were delighted by the encounter. They had never seen a hedgehog so close up and were eager to learn more about it.
From that day forward, Anya and Prickles became quite a local sensation. People from all over the area would visit her cottage just to see the friendly hedgehog. Anya would happily share stories about their adventures and even give guided tours of the forest.
Despite the attention, Anya and Prickles remained content in their simple lives. They were grateful for their unexpected friendship and the joy it brought to their days. And so, the solitary cottage in the woods became a place of wonder and warmth, all thanks to a tiny, prickly guest.
