Leo stepped out of his den with his red scarf wrapped snug around his neck. A gust whistled through the golden trees — WHOOSH! The scarf tumbled down the winding path.
Leo scrambled after it, paws skidding on crunchy leaves. But the scarf fluttered over the stream and landed on an old oak branch.
Leo stood at the edge of the bridge, tail drooping. The bright red fabric was just out of reach, dancing in the autumn breeze.
Leo edged onto the bridge, but the planks creaked and wobbled. Suddenly — WHOOSH! The wind swept the scarf right into a prickly hedgehog bush.
Leo held out the scarf, but the hedgehog flinched and curled into a spiky ball. 'Oh,' thought Leo. He sat down and waited.
Minutes passed. The hedgehog uncurled just a little, sniffing. Then it nudged the scarf toward Leo with its wet nose.
Leo wrapped the red scarf around his neck and patted the bridge plank beside him. The hedgehog crept close and rested against his fur.
They sat together watching the golden leaves drift down. Two friends on a quiet wooden bridge in the heart of the autumn forest.
