The days in the nest were all alike, and yet something changed with every new day.
Sammu didn’t know what day or night was. Her eyes were still closed.
Under the blackcurrant bush, it was always dim, pleasantly warm, and filled with Mother’s comforting scent. But Sammy’s little body knew all by itself when it was time to eat and when it was time to sleep. It was also wonderful just to lie in the warmth, snuggled against her brothers like one tiny, softly snoring heap.
During the first few days, something amazing happened to Sammu, although she didn’t know it yet. Her soft white spines the ones that had been hidden beneath her skin when she was born, began to be replaced by new ones. These new spines were dark brown and a little firmer than the white ones. They were no longer as soft as the first spines, but they didn’t prick yet. More and more appeared each day until Sammu’s back was no longer bare pink skin but a little coat of spines.
From time to time, Mother carefully cleaned her babies. One by one, she licked them from nose to tail. When it was Sammu’s turn, she felt her tongue brushing over her like a slightly ticklish massage. It made her feel safe and loved. Afterward, the little hedgehogs would drift into a deep sleep while Mother went off to look for food.
The days passed, and the hedgehog babies grew a little bigger every day.
One day, Sammu woke up because of a rustling sound.
She didn’t know where it was coming from or why he could hear it. The first days of her life had passed in complete silence. But now her ears had opened, and sounds were entering his world.
The rustling was rain falling on the leaves of the blackcurrant bush.
At first, this new discovery frightened her, and a tiny shiver ran through her body. Mother was in the nest, and her presence calmed her. When the rain finally stopped, the world filled with new sounds. Insects buzzed and hummed. Birds sang cheerful songs.
Sammu lay perfectly still in the nest and let the sounds wash over her.
Then a thought popped into her head.
Maybe I can make sounds too!
She opened her little mouth, and out came a tiny squeak.
She had squeaked before, of course, she just hadn’t known it. Now, for the very first time, she could hear her own voice.
She squeaked again and again, delighted by the sound. She wanted to know right away if her brothers could hear her too.
Using her tiny nose, she nudged the brother sleeping closest to her while happily squeaking with excitement.
Hearing was a wonderful discovery.
Her brother woke up.
Sammu still couldn’t see anything, her eyes had not opened yet, but somehow she knew her brother was awake.
“Brother, can you hear me?” Sammu asked eagerly.
Her brother only snuffled sleepily.
Sammu felt a little disappointed that she didn’t answer.
“Sammu,” Mother said softly, “the others still need some time before they can hear. Be quiet for now and let them sleep.”
It was the very first time Sammu heard his mother’s voice.
“I’m just so excited,” said Sammu. “I can hear all sorts of sounds. I don’t know where they come from or who makes them. Hearing everything is making me a little tired!”
“I know,” Mother replied gently. “It feels that way at first. Soon you’ll get used to it, and you’ll learn where all the different sounds come from. Now, go back to sleep for a little while.”
So Sammu curled up between her mother and her brothers, snuggled close, and soon drifted off to sleep.
And now, you should sleep too.
Sweet dreams, and good night.