THE FORGOTTEN HEDGEHOG

Isabelle Williams, 11

Salford

At the bottom of an oak tree, not far from the famous wind turbine painted like a giant daffodil, lived a little hedgehog. He was the smallest in his prickle, but the smartest. One day, when he was out for a stroll, he stumbled on some coins. Being a hedgehog, he couldn’t see them properly, so he went back to his house and got his glasses. When he came back, his nosey neighbour the red squirrel was sat there, studying the coins.

“Hey Hamish!” mocked the squirrel, “Guess what, I’m on the coin and you're not!” “Oh yeah”, teased Hamish, “I bet I am”. But it was true, he wasn’t on a single coin. He decided to bet the squirrel that he would one day be on a coin. So he set out in search of the King but it wasn’t going to be easy - he was soon going to realise the challenges on the way.

Little did he know that just up ahead, there was something waiting for him. Thankfully, he had remembered to bring his glasses so he could see what was in front of him. It was a noisy motorway, and was extremely scary for a little hedgehog like him. To make matters worse, he had to cross two roads humming with cars. If he got hit, it would be fatal. But because he was so determined, he took a running jump and just managed to grab onto a bonnet. It was a very small car and looked old fashioned. Luckily the driver didn’t see the hedgehog because of the wind screen wipers, and he seemed to be heading towards Buckingham Palace. “It must be one of his butlers,” thought Hamish as they arrived at the gates.

Once inside, he made a reservation to meet the King. As soon as he was called up, he dashed (which was walking for humans) straight into his office, almost running into a chair. The King was surprised that it was a little hedgehog visiting. Even more so, he was speechless when the hedgehog started making a speech about how hedgehogs are endangered animals and should also be featured on a coin. Surprisingly, the King agreed!

Later that day, the King took him to where the coins are made. They had a little mine where there was lots and lots of gold and silver. There was a little printing machine in the middle, where the animals were added. He made Hamish his very own coin and started giving orders to the miners to print hedgehogs on a new coin worth £3! The king signed Hamish’s coin, and he asked Hamish where he lived and gave him a royal ride in his best car. Once he got home, the news had already spread and he was celebrated by all the animals in the neighbourhood. Hamish and all the hedgehogs were finally on a coin. Hamish grew up with pride, keeping the signed coin close to his heart.