Deep in the forest lived a little hedgehog named Tuan Tuan. He was a bit different from other hedgehogs—his sharp spikes always easily pricked the friends who got close to him. The little squirrel wanted to share acorns with him, but got pricked on the paw as soon as it got close; the little rabbit wanted to invite him to sunbathe on the grass, but nearly bumped into his hard spikes after just a few hops. Over time, Tuan Tuan became somewhat lonely, always curling up in a corner watching his friends frolic.
One day, a message spread through the forest: at the top of the tallest oak tree lived a wise owl who guarded a 'Moonlight Gem' that could grant wishes. It is said that only the bravest and kindest hearts can find it.
Tuan Tuan's heart stirred. He thought, "If I can find the Moonlight Gem, I will wish for my spikes not to prick people, and everyone will want to be my friend!" Although he felt a little scared about traveling alone, the desire for friends burned like a small flame.
He shouldered a small leaf bundle, packed a few wild berries, and set off. The journey was more difficult than he had imagined: he had to climb over slippery mossy slopes, pass through thorny bushes full of barbs, and carefully avoid the sleeping Mr. Bear's cave. Every time he encountered difficulties, Tuan Tuan thought of the happy faces of his friends when they found the gem, and he found the strength to keep going.
Finally, it breathlessly reached the foot of the giant oak tree. The tree soared into the clouds, its trunk smooth with hardly any footholds. Tuan Tuan looked up at the towering treetop, his heart pounding. He tried to climb up, but the smooth bark made him slip down again and again. The spikes on his back seemed to become a burden, scraping against the bark and making a harsh sound.
Just as Tuan Tuan was about to give up, he heard a faint crying sound from the bushes under the tree. He followed the sound and found a small, emerald-green snake caught by a trap discarded by hunters, unable to move and crying tears of pain.
"Don't be afraid!" Tuan Tuan gathered his courage and approached. Seeing the cold metal teeth of the trap, he was also frightened, but the little snake's pained eyes made it impossible for him to leave. He tried to nudge with his nose and scrape with his claws, but the trap remained unmoved.
Suddenly, Tuan Tuan thought of the 'annoying' spikes on his back. He had a sudden idea, carefully turned around, and aimed the thickest, hardest spike on his back at the trap's spring mechanism, pushing hard against it!
"Crack!" A soft sound, the spring was pushed open! The trap released!
The little snake was saved! It gratefully swirled around Tuan Tuan: "Thank you! Brave little hedgehog! You saved my life! Your spikes are amazing!"
Tuan Tuan was stunned. It was the first time he heard someone praise his spikes as 'amazing' instead of being afraid of them. He looked at the little snake's free form and then at the sharp spikes on his back, which he had once seen as a burden, and a wonderful feeling surged in his heart—could my spikes also be used to help others?
Just then, a gentle voice came from above: "Child, you did well." The owl had quietly landed on a lower branch at some point, its eyes like a deep night sky, sparkling with wisdom.
Tuan Tuan asked excitedly yet nervously, "Dear Mr. Owl, can I still get the Moonlight Gem to make a wish? I wish for my spikes not to prick my friends anymore..."
The owl chuckled softly, pointing its wings at Tuan Tuan himself: "Look at what you just did! You used your inherent 'spikes' to do a wonderful good deed! Protecting the weak, alleviating danger. Isn't that more meaningful than changing your own appearance?"
He continued, "The real treasure is never at the treetop, but in your heart. You possess the most precious courage and kindness. The spikes on your back are not obstacles to making friends; they are, in fact, your unique armor and weapon, used to protect what is worth protecting. Learn to embrace them, use them wisely, just like you did earlier. When you understand this, you will find that friends will naturally come to you because they will see your shining heart and unique strength."
Tuan Tuan looked down at the spikes on his back, for the first time feeling that they were no longer ugly or obtrusive, but rather like a shining suit of armor. He understood that what mattered was not changing oneself to please others, but using one's own traits to do the right thing.
He thanked the wise owl, bid farewell to the grateful little snake, and set off on the journey home. This time, his steps were much lighter, and his back was straighter.
When Tuan Tuan returned to the forest, the little squirrel and the little rabbit spotted him from afar. They were preparing to avoid him as usual, but were surprised to see Tuan Tuan stop voluntarily, gently and clearly saying, "Friends, please stay a little bit away from me, be careful of my spikes. However, if you encounter difficulties and need my spikes to help, I will definitely be here!"
The little animals looked into Tuan Tuan's confident and sincere eyes, recalling his courage in venturing alone and the kindness he showed in rescuing the little snake. Their slight fear gradually transformed into curiosity and warmth. From then on, although the animals in the forest still cautiously avoided Tuan Tuan's sharp spikes, they no longer feared or distanced themselves from him. They realized that beneath those seemingly prickly spikes beat a heart more precious than the Moonlight Gem.
Tuan Tuan finally had friends. He realized that the real 'treasure' is to accept oneself and use one's unique way to convey kindness and strength.
The moral of the story: Each of us has our own 'spikes'—some seemingly imperfect traits that may even lead to misunderstandings. Instead of trying hard to change or hide them, it’s better to learn to accept them and find ways to harness their positive effects. Sincerity, courage, and kindness will eventually penetrate any exterior and touch the heart. Being unique can also lead to finding true friends.
