Samuil Marshak
The hedgehog

A hedgehog lives beneath our couch
And roams about the room.
When all its legs are tucked away
It’s like a brush or broom.

You know the spines a hedgehog wears?
They’re not exactly toys.
Their purpose is to keep away
Bad wolves and naughty boys.

And if it finds some sweets or fruit
Dropped from our Christmas tree,
It sticks them on those spines and scoots.
As pleased as pleased can be.

Translated by Dorian Rottenberg