Its a hedgehog life

Insectozoo

Robbie was an ordinary hedgehog. He grew up in the sunny town of Brighton and has stayed there all his life. He had a well built nest in the northern hedge and he enjoyed his job working at the insectozoo.

It was a average day in the Insectozoo - the sun was shining, the woodlice were racing, the worm resturant was opening and a human was hanging her washing up in the zoo's new exhibit: 'Life of a Giant'. Yes, things were going alright.

The public address system in the zoo began to shout out the bosses first announcement of the day - "Robbie, please report to my office".

Robbie sat in the boss's office twiddling his thumbs, or at least he would have been if he had thumbs. "I have been reviewing this years financial status." The boss paused and picked up a bowl of berries. "Berry?" he asked. Robbie shook his head. The boss continued, "We have not been doing as well as we might have hoped. I am sorry to inform you that we are going to have to let you go to save money." Robbie's heart sank, "you're firing me?" The boss sighed, "we are making you redundant. I am very sorry, I know you work very hard here, but we just can't afford to keep paying your wages. Once again, I am very sorry."

Robbie broke eye contact with his boss and stared at the floor, "I understand" he said, and he shuffled out of the room.

The walk home was the longest walk of Robbie's life. He only lived up the garden but the hedge where he lived looked miles away. Once at home, he crawled into his nest and could do nothing else but sleep. He could not eat, he could not even read the latest issue of the Bush Berry Times.

A storm was blowing through the bush, a breeze carrying some raindrops rustled Robbie's spikes. When the morning finally came, Robbie didnt bother getting up. What was the point? The insctozoo was his pride and joy.

Around midnight after a good days sleep, he woke up after having the most wonderful dream. He was back at work in a new insectozoo. Realising it was just a wonderful dream, he pulled himself out of his nest, ready for a new day. He would go job hunting.

His first interview was for a berry shop, a grumpy hedgehog called Hans welcomed him in. "So, you want the job, eh?" Robbie was confused, "well, yes, of course." Hans made a weak, put-on smile. "Why?" he asked, "I have always had a great passion for, uh, berries and-" Hans stopped him, "Why do you really want the job?" Robbie sighed. "Because I just lost my job at the insectozoo, and I am determined to get back on my feet." Hans gave a strong, very real smile. "Alright, you have the job. But do not let me down, alright?" Robbie nodded and got straight to work.