Little Hedgehog's New Year's Noon 2026

This is Ria. Welcome to Little Stories for Tiny People. I am excited to dive right into our story, so I made sure to prevent any interruptions. I silenced my email notifications. I pushed my tower of breakable plates into the corner, so I wouldn't jostle it with my frequent hand waving. I put out the crackling fire in my studio hearth. I even asked the crows in the tree outside to read their favorite books silently for approximately 29 minutes and 46 seconds. I moved my clocks, all 37 of them, into the attic. I readied my hard metal stool. And here I am, prepared to focus completely on... What was that? Huh, a tiny envelope has slid into my studio from beneath the door. I'll just look at it later, moving on to our story. I think you're really going to, you know, it could be urgent. What if it's gravely important? I was all set to focus, but now I'm not going to be able to focus at all if for an entire half an hour I'm wondering whether this miniature envelope contains extremely serious and unbelievably important information. I'm going to have to open it. This is so small. Hang on, now I need my magnifying glass. Alright, dear Rhea. Thank you for opening this letter as it contains tremendously serious and urgent information. Ooh, glad I went with my gut on that one. Okay, it goes on. We've observed you do many things lately. Hmm, decorate Christmas cookies. Wrap presents. Make detailed checklists. Wear sweatpants at all hours. Hey, everyone does that. One thing we have not seen you do is write a list of New Year's resolutions. So we, the studio spiders with some editorial assistance from these studio beetles, took it upon ourselves to make one for you. I see. Resolution number one. Hi, Rhea. Notorious frog caster. Resolve to vacuum less and relax more. Especially vacuum less in nooks and crannies and upper corners. Hmm, interesting. Resolution number two. I resolve to be more generous, to flies. By leaving out delicious, stale bread in my studio. Wow, it just keeps going. There are 21 resolutions here that I will not be reading. But you know what, you guys were right. I did not come up with any New Year's resolutions. Until just now, here it is. And now on, I resolve to wedge a blanket under my studio door so that no tiny envelopes can be slid under it. Let's get to the story before any more ridiculous things happen. It's called Little Hedgehog's New Year's noon, 2026. Take it away, Dante, Logan and Flora. Remember, there are no pictures. You have to imagine the pictures in your mind. You can imagine them however you want. Okay, here we go. It was an unseasonably warm evening in the forest. The perfect night to be outdoors doing summer salts. At a last, Little Hedgehog and her best friend, Bee Bee, were in Little Hedgehog's bedroom, lying on their tummies with their heads propped up on their paws and their feet, kicking behind them, listening to the radio. I'm Bob Siegel and this has been your hourly weather report on the hour with me, Bob Siegel. And now a quick word from our sponsor. Come on down to Sacrepare in a jiffy. Got a hole in your sock? Don't despair. Come on down to Sacrepare in a jiffy. Don't be iffy about it. Come on down to Sacrepare in a jiffy. Bee Bee, when do you think the forest news will come on? My mom listens to this channel while she weaves snowshoes. It's always the same. Bob Siegel. In a commercial, then forest news with Wanda Warthog. This is Wanda Warthog with your local forest news in a minute. This is it, Bee Bee, indubitably. We begin tonight with reports of an acorn avalanche inside Forest Mart. Early this evening, a prairie dog identified as Quinz J. Tripply reportedly set off the cascade in aisle eight, marking the sixth such incident in the establishment this week. Pre-surrounding chipmunks are said to have slipped on the fallen acorns and report having sore back sides. Little Hedgehog and Bee Bee exchanged a look. A raccoon on the west end of the forest has reported a lost pet mouse, last seen wearing plaid pants and moseying near the great pine. He is said to respond to the name Swinson and will smirk at puns. If found, please return Swinson to the west end, lost and found. Little Hedgehog and Bee Bee exchanged another look. Then, came the news report. They'd been desperately hoping to hear. Next up, we've got an update on the fate of the annual Hedgehog role. Canceled again yesterday by the role's new organizer, Mildred Prickletoast. This might be a good time to drop in with some explanation. For years, the annual Hedgehog role was run by a reclusive Hedgehog named Terrence Hedgling. Little was known about Mr. Hedgling, given that he never spoke publicly, gave no interviews, never actually attended the New Year's noon festivities, and was believed to only come out of his burrow for ten minutes every Thursday. Most importantly, no one knew anything about Mr. Hedgling because he was excellent at his job. He spotted problems miles away and dealt with them before they would be noticed by a casual onlooker. Terrence Hedgling was a natural-born leader, but the thing about natural-born leaders is, eventually they get plucked away to do even more interesting work. The timing could not have been worse. He was drawn away just weeks before New Year's noon. No one could blame him. It was a truly sparkling opportunity. It's not every day that Hedgehog is asked to serve as the event planner for the premier pond cruise ship for Hedgehogs. But it meant that the New Year's noon festivities were dropped in the lap of a nervous Hedgehog by the name of Mildred Prickletoast. For years, she had painted 37 colorful posters that she then plastered around the forest to market the upcoming festivities. She was excellent at the job, but Mildred Prickletoast, by all accounts, including her own, should simply not have been put in charge of anything. These after she'd reluctantly taken up the post, Um, if anyone would like this job, you're welcome to it. A problem appeared on the big hill. Mildred had no idea what to do, so when Wanda Wardhog put a microphone in her face, as she scampered to pick up stress relieving tea at the forest market, she said the first thing to come to her mind. Now, Mildred, are the reports true that there's been a proliferation of mountain goats on the big hill? It's dreadful. If they don't leave soon, we'll have to cancel the annual Hedgehog roll. Are you certain that's necessary? Well, what else can I do? Days later, the mountain goats left. Apparently, the big hill was actually quite small for a mountain goat. Come on, guys. Mildred immediately shared an update with the public. The goats are gone. We won't have to cancel after all. You heard it here, folks. The annual Hedgehog roll is back on. It was threatened again, days later, by the news that an Allie Cat convention would be taking place in the clearing adjacent to the big hill on New Year's noon. Unfortunately, Wilma. Wanda. Unfortunately, Wanda. I don't know how we can risk the safety of our Hedgehog attendees with predatory creatures in such close proximity. Isn't there anything we can... Well, I can't think of anything. Can you...? You heard it here, first, folks. The annual Hedgehog roll might be cancelled after all. Around the region, Hedgehogs threw up their paws and frustration, desperate to know what would become of their favorite New Year's tradition, and everyone had different information. I can't believe it's been cancelled. It's supposed to be my niece, Dottie's first year rolling. Oh, I heard it was back on as of yesterday. The owl said they'd provide more security to deal with the Allie cats. Also they're planning to toss our deans into the clearing just before the roll. Really? That's wonderful. I heard it's cancelled again as of today, due to a patch of poison ticklegrass discovered on the hill. Can't they just pull it out? I'll do it myself. Let me get my gloves. It was hard to keep up with all the cancellations and reversals, which is why little Hedgehog and BB huddled around the radio to find out once and for all, whether in several hours' time they'd be scampering to the big hill. Around the forest, Hedgehogs held their breath as Wanda Wardhog went on. Nildred, as of yesterday, you told us the annual Hedgehog roll would have to be cancelled due to poison ticklegrass discovered on the hill. But my producer tells me you have an update for us. That's right, Wanda. Thankfully, a herd of rabbits stopped by and ate the ticklegrass up by its roots. So then, that means the annual Hedgehog roll is... Will I suppose I imagine? Yes, I expect, right, that the annual Hedgehog roll is... Yes, Mildred. Well, it's back on. It was, perhaps, the most lukewarm announcement ever to be given. It didn't matter. Hedgehogs all around the region finally released the breaths they'd been holding and let out a cheer. Little Hedgehog and BB were no exceptions. Yay! Yay! The last yay came not from Little Guy, Little Hedgehogs pet Camillean who was fast asleep in his leafy enclosure, but from a caterpillar who'd found her way inside the burrow and milled around the rug. She had no idea what the excitement was about, and she certainly wouldn't be rolling down any hills, but sometimes the excitement of others is enough to warm one's heart. Now that it was back on, the annual Hedgehog roll was just hours away. It was essential that Little Hedgehog and BB get some sleep before staying up until noon, but every time one of them nodded off, my first cousin twice removed. On Goldjona, Prickle Hopper once published a book about the importance of sleep, it was called NAP, like your life depends on it. The other would have a burst of insight. BB! Hmm, BB, what do you think the eating contest will be this year? Could it be pickles? Well, it was really just BB nodding off and Little Hedgehog having burst of insight. Finally, an hour before dawn, Little Hedgehog fell asleep beside her best friend on her bedroom floor. For all of 17 minutes, before the forest itself began to shudder and shake above their heads with the bitter pattern of dozens, nay, hundreds of hedgehogs. Those are hedgehogs, perhaps their hedgehogs posing as alley cats, or alley cats posing as hedgehogs posing as alley cats, or, but the friends were interrupted by the sound of a very powerful sneeze. Hello, Zoon After by a cough. Oh my, we should investigate. Hello, Mr. Hedgehog, greetings. Don't come in, I don't want you to get whatever this is. Little Hedgehog and BB exchanged a significant look. Is it the dreaded spots? Is it whisper sneeze fever? Just a cold. Woohoo, that is a relief. Little Hedgehog is going to take you to New Year's noon. I sent a dragonfly messenger to letter no. She'll be thrilled. BB, I'll let your mom know. It's all arranged. Yay! Yay. Yay. This time, the third yay did come from Little Hedgehog's pet chameleon, Little Guy, who admitted this small word from down the hall as he perched in his leafy enclosure, revealing both that he had awakened from his slumber and that he was most likely auditorily gifted. Okay, feel better soon dad. Stay hydrated Mr. Hedgehog. It was then that the two friends noticed that the sound of alley cats had given way to the sound of hundreds of hedgehogs scampering through the forest above the burrow. It was time to go. Hello greetings. The moon was still bright in the sky when Little Hedgehog and BB reached Nana Hedgehog's burrow door. Just a moment. I'm just looking for. Hmm. Well, never mind. Nana Hedgehog squinted at her tiny granddaughter and her granddaughter's best friend. Whatever it is you're selling. I simply don't. You know, Hedgehog is me, Little Hedgehog. And it is I, BB. Oh. And here I thought there was just one big misshapen porcupine on my doorstep. I suppose I need my glasses more than I thought. But I can't seem to locate them. Little Hedgehog and BB, Giggle. I do believe I would lose my ears if they weren't attached to my head. BB, smiled. York glasses are also currently attached to your head. They're on top of it. Little Hedgehog trailed. Yay. Little guy added unnecessarily from his spot on Little Hedgehog's shoulder prickles. Oh. Nana said, grasping the spectacles and pulling them down over her eyes. Ah, much better. Now then, children, let's be on our way. I believe we have a Hedgehog tumble to attend. Soon, the three Hedgehogs and one chameleon were on their way through the forest. All around them, Hedgehogs popped up from burrows in the dim, pre-don light and began scampering towards the big hill. Now children, I am wondering how this Hedgehog tumble will go, given that it's still dark. How will you see where you're going? Nana, Little Hedgehog said, as she skipped over a fallen branch? You've been to the annual Hedgehog role before. Haven't you? Now let me think about that. I don't think I have. Little Hedgehog and BB exchanged a look as they ran along. The moonlight sparkling in their wide eyes. This is so exciting, BB. It is always a treat to introduce a friend or loved one to a cherished event or activity. Don't worry, Nana. The sun will be up before the role starts. And there is lots to do before then. You'll see. Well, I'll be sure to keep my glasses on. Welcome, Hedgehogs, one and all to our New Year's new festivities. We ask that no Hedgehogs wander near, mosey toward, or take a gander at the adjacent track of land. Please note that our festival organization cannot be held responsible for any loss of prickles, limbs, handbags, or lives due to interaction with the alley cats in the adjacent clearing. Thank you for your attention on this matter. Enjoy the rest of your day. Nana, what do you think? Isn't this fun? And fanciful. So fun and so fanciful. Nana agreed. The three Hedgehogs made their way through the crowd in the great clearing. All around them were booths and signs, various food sellers, and hundreds and hundreds of Hedgehogs. They passed a dunk tank where a rat sat on a small wooden seat above a vat of a caramel-colored liquid. Little Hedgehog sniffed the air. Baby. Is that? Baby sniffed the air too. Apple cider? Indeed. It was a lovely cinnamon-spiced apple cider, and the rat gazed down at it, longingly. Fairly hoping to be dropped in. Come on, aim a little higher. The rat called to the young Hedgehog, currently hurling apples at the dunk tank target. Oh, look at that, girls. Nana said, peering at a booth across the way. You can win a pet. Little Guy sat up straighter on Little Hedgehog's shoulder prickles and appeared skeptically at the booth. Don't worry, little guy. I would never replace you. He relaxed. Meantime, Beebees eyes lit up. Her mom had recently given her permission to acquire a pet. They all sideled over to the booth. A sharply dressed Hedgehog wearing a three-piece suit pressed a button on a music player. Win, a pet. Yes, win, win, a pet. What kind of pet will you get? Eh, that song was a rush job. Hey, kids, step right up and try your paw at winning a pet. How does it work? I give you three facts about an animal. You guess what it is. If you guess right, it's yours to take home. Beebees eyes gleamed. I'm extremely good at this type of challenge. You've got to do it, Beebee. Imagine scapering home with a brand new pet. Only cost one cricket, kids. One live cricket, that is. Neither of the friends had any crickets, live or otherwise. But Nana Hedgehog stepped forward with a broad smile. Here you are, she said, fishing in her pocket. Outlaped one's bright, greenish brown cricket. He's a wily one he is, has been trying to jump out of my pocket all morning. Little Hedgehog and Beebe giggled. The Natalie dressed Hedgehog swiftly snatched the cricket out of the air and stored it out of sight behind the booth. All right then, who's playing? Beebee stepped forward. All right, kid. Fact number one. This pet is very loyal. Hmm. Beebe furrowed her brow. This was not the kind of fact she had anticipated. Fact number two. This pet enjoys eating shredded carrots. Hmm. Beebe furrowed her brow further. Fact number three. This pet is the most common pet kept by hedgehogs and moon rats. Without skipping a beat, Beebee said, it is a cricket. Wow, kid, you're really good at this. Here you go. The snappily dressed Hedgehog reached behind the booth and withdrew a very familiar looking greenish brown cricket. He placed it in Beebe's paws. Enjoy your new pet. Who's next? Win, a pet. Yes, win, win, a pet. What kind of pet will you get? Only cost one cricket, kids. One live cricket, that is. Well, that was unexpected. Nana said as they scampered away, the cricket was a wily one. He swiftly leapt out of Beebe's paws and vanished into the throng of hedgehogs. Never to be seen again. Don't worry, Beebee, I'm sure we can find you another pet soon. Nubidably. And while the sun might have set on that particular pet acquisition attempt, just then the real sun rose above the big clearing. Beautiful. It was beautiful. Little hedgehog, Beebee and Nana hedgehog stopped and watched as the clearing was flooded with golden morning light. Then they headed off to see a few more sites before the day's big event. Attention hedgehogs, be sure to visit the last and found if you have misplaced any items, such as a water bottle or a pet snail named Snellson. On the main stage, an auction was in full swing. A penpal auction. All right, folks, next up is Sylvia T. Hedgehog, Sylvia, why don't you tell the crowd why you'd make a phenomenal penpal? Well, I have excellent penmanship. Also, I use few adverbs only when they are absolutely totally and completely necessary. Wow, that's my penpal. Here are the folks. Let's start the bidding at 23 crickets. Do I hear 23? Next, they stopped by the eating contest to find out what was on the menu this year. Beebee, do you think it will be pickles? It turned out to be grasshopper oatmeal. It was the quickest eating contest on record as two of the three contestants fell asleep, midway through their second bowls. The winner, an exhausted looking hedgehog named Philmont, had this to say, The first and second bowls were okay, but the third bowl got really difficult. I feel like I have cement in my stomach. And on the second stage, the soulful sloths played smooth jazz, which worked out nicely as the hedgehogs were up way past their bed times and needed a nap. They were all startled awake by an announcement from the loudspeakers posted here and there in the surrounding trees. Attention hedgehogs, it is now time to make your way to the big hill for the event we all feared would not take place. I mean, for the event we've all been waiting for. And I am pleased to announce that our new organizer, Ms. Mildred Prickletoast, will be making a brief statement of welcome to you all before the commencement of the role. As a reminder, please steer clear of the adjacent plot of land, and we ask that you do not interfere with the sardine distribution. The hedgehogs began streaming towards the big hill. Girls do hold my paws. I don't want to lose you in this stampede. Little hedgehog, BB and Nana hedgehog all scampered, holding paws, and finally arrived, breathless at the top of the hill. Every available surrounding spot was taken by a hedgehog, doing his or her stretches. Nana, are you going to roll down with us? Little hedgehog said, dropping into a lunge. You are permitted to go as slow as you wish. I know this because I reread the hedgehog role official roles every year. BB said, rotating her ankles one at a time. You have no idea how tempted I am, girls. Nana hedgehog said, peering down the hill at the dry winter ground at the bottom. My knees will never forgive me if I do. No, I'm going to cheer you on from right over there. See you at the finish line. Oh, Nana, can you take little guy? He gets motion sickness. Little guy nodded solemnly as he was whisked away. With the chameleon on her shoulder, Nana hedgehog scampered off and was soon swallowed up in the dense thicket of prickles. His little hedgehog and BB continued doing their stretches. They overheard a tough hedgehog trainer nearby. Alright, this year we got a totally new strategy. And I think you're really going to dig it. Is it jet packs? Are we getting jet packs? Even better. This year we're going to burrow and pop. Burrow and pop. What does that mean? It means that as soon as that countdown hits zero, you burrow underground the whole way down the hill. Then you pop up. Try unfitly at the bottom before any of these other hedgehogs is even done their first full rotation. But what if there's rocky soil? My prickles will get must. You're seeing a beauty contest? If you want to win, you're going to beat the crowd by going under it. Fine. That's what it's going to take. Little hedgehog and BB exchanged a grin and held back giggles. Attention rollers, we are mere moments from our big New Year's New Countdown. But before we definitely get to that, here's our new organizer, Mildred Pricklethost. The crowd, still somewhat miffed by the many cancellations, offered muted applause. Is this on? Oh, that's what that red light means. Okay. Hello. I am Mildred Pricklethost and I am pleased to preside over this year's and likely only this year's annual New Year's New celebrations. Now then, where was I? A countdown, of course. The hedgehogs in attendance stared blankly up at the speakers. I know that. Let us begin. 13. 12. 9. 11. 8. The hedgehogs were accustomed to beginning the countdown with the number 10, not 13. So while Mildred Pricklethost continued her modified countdown over the loudspeaker, in, 7, 9, 6. The rest of the hedgehogs stuck to tradition. 5, 7, 4, 3, 4, 3, 5, 2, 4, 1, 3. Happy New Year's Day! Now set off. Down the hill. Happy New Year's Morn! I mean, noon. Mildred Pricklethost cried out several seconds late. As an aside, when Mildred later learned about this disastrous clash of counting, she was so embarrassed that she threatened to cancel the whole event altogether, but she couldn't because it had already taken place. Along with dozens of other hedgehogs, little hedgehog tucked her chin and tumbled, head over feet, down the hill. Baby toppled down sideways nearby. She couldn't roll in the traditional way. Her family did not have the rolling gene. With the toughest hedgehog rollers burrowing underground, the trip down the hill was less crowded than usual. The two friends took their time, going at a leisurely pace. When they reached the bottom, they sat up and dusted bits of grass from their prickles. Nana hedgehog met them, with little guy asleep on her shoulder. Well done girls. Now… Oh, I think it's time for us to… But Nana was interrupted by an announcement over the loudspeaker. Attention hedgehogs, please make your way out of the big clearing. I repeat, make your way out of the clearing. We have received word that a single alley cat was unimpressed with the sardines and has moseyed into our event. He is currently on the prowl. I repeat, hedgehogs, please make a tasty exit and have a happy new year's noon. Come now, let's go. I'd rather not encounter that cat. Nana said, leading them towards home. Whoever heard of a cat who did like sardines, little hedgehogs said, her eyes twinkling in the afternoon's sun. The two friends passed by a mouse, wearing plaid pants and standing near a tall pine tree. I do not know. BB said, it is per post-race. In response to this pun, the mouse smirked. BB, did you see that mouse smirk? It must be swimsin. Individibly. Come on little fella. BB said, scooping him up. Let's get you home. They all headed off. First, to the west end, lost and found. Then, to their respective burrows, it was sure to be a sparkling new year. Oh, that's the crows. They must be done with the reading. Right on schedule. I hope you have a sparkling new year too. Little stories for tiny people is written, performed, and produced by me, ReaPector. My in-house tech director, Peter K, runs my website and puts my stories on the internet for all of you to enjoy. To unlock the full Little Stories library, and to access Little Stories for sleep, join or gift a subscription to Little Stories Premium by visiting LittleStoriesPremium.com. Thank you to Dante, Logan, and Flora for the super important reminder message at the beginning. And thank you to the many premium subscribers who supplied sound effects used in this story. Thank you to Carol Sue, Cleo, Rea, Haley, Joshua, Sophia, Briar, Holly, A.O.N., Flora, Alma, Philip, Jasper, Eleanor, Sunny, Emerson, Oscar, June, Ivy, Fiona, Eleanor, Beatrix, Clara, Riley, Ruthie, Kenna, Margaret, Mabel, Mittali, and Isaac. And thank you, as always, for listening in.