The Lark and the Hedgehog

Dr. Muneer Moosa

The Lark and the Hedgehog

Dr. Muneer Moosa

The Hedgehog liked to live in the forest, while his neighbor, the Lark, prefer to build her nest among rocks and thistles. She laid five eggs and had promised any damaged ones to her neighbor, the hedgehog. The viper lay in wait nearby, watching the nest until he saw his chance to snatch one of the lark's fledglings. The lark complained to the hedgehog, who ran quickly and threw himself bodily on the viper, singing:

I am the hedgehog

I love life

I am your deliverer

My spines are like hot coals

A lizard came crawling by and sunk his teeth into the viper's flesh. He immediately ran off to find the green plant that is known in the Galilee as an antidote to snake venom. But then he suddenly wanted to taste bird-flesh, so he stole a chick from the lark's nest and made off with it. The lark took to the air, planning to sink her beak in the lizard's head and save her chick. The hedgehog, who was watching , said to the lark: "I am going to feed my children, and if you like I can teach you a good trick." He whispered something in the lark's ear.The Lark immediately went to pluck some of the green plant that grows in the Galilee. The lizard was confused and cried: "Please help me!" So the lark agreed, on the condition that he would go into his den.

No sooner was he inside than she blocked the entrance with stones. He was scared to death, until she said: "If you give me back my chick I will let you go, and give you some of this plant. " He wept until he was released, feeling remorseful. The lark went back to raising her family, and sang:

I am the lark. I lead a pleasant life

If I see a wicked man I will protect

my chicks

I will enjoy peaceful flight

I will sing without hesitating

It is better to have a near neighbor

than a distant brother

There is no one as compassionate

as a mother

who protects her children from harm.