Prickly Hugs

Pip, a little squirrel, was famously known in the forest as the 'Hugging Fiend.' Whether it was the soft bunny mother or the fluffy bear big brother, they were all targets of his enthusiastic daily hugs. Pip firmly believed that hugs were the most powerful magic in the world. One day, a cactus named Arra was forgotten by its owner and left on a forest bench. Arra was covered in sharp spines all over its body, and its face always seemed to say, 'Do Not Disturb.' As soon as Pip saw the new friend, he excitedly opened his arms to rush over. 'Stop! Don't come near me!' Arra shouted urgently. 'You'll get pricked by my thorns!' Pip stopped and tilted his head, looking at the lonely Arra. He didn't give up; instead, he ran home and rummaged through everything. A short while later, Pip reappeared beside the bench. This time, he was wrapped in three layers of thick protective clothing, wearing heavy oven mitts on his hands, making him look like a round, plump meatball. Pip waddled clumsily in front of Arra. Under Arra's astonished gaze, Pip gently gave him a big hug. Although Arra's thorns still pricked a bit through the thick clothes, Pip smiled brilliantly. Arra, who had always been cold, felt the warmth of another being for the first time. The small thorns on its body unknowingly softened, and at their tips, tiny pink flowers even began to bloom. From that day on, a peculiar sight became common in the forest: a little squirrel dressed like an astronaut, hugging a blooming cactus every day.