“What have you found there?” came Jean-Paul’s voice behind him. Gus stood up guiltily, the blood rushing to his cheeks. “A hedgehog?” Jean-Paul knelt down. “Do you know why he has rolled into a ball?”
“Because he’s frightened.”
“That’s right. Come, let’s take a closer look. I think he’s hurt,” said Jean-Paul, sensing an opportunity to teach the child a valuable lesson. “Can you see he’s trembling?” Gus nodded. “You know, the funny thing about animals is that they have a very heightened sixth sense. They know who to trust and who to be afraid of.”
“They do?” said Gus, thankful that the hedgehog didn’t have a voice to tell tales with.
“Watch.” Jean-Paul placed his hands under the hedgehog and scooped him up. He held him gently, close to his shirt. It wasn’t long before the animal uncurled and began sniffing Jean-Paul’s skin with his wet nose. “Let’s take him back to the cottage and make him a bed. I think he’s unwell, don’t you?”
They went back down the thyme walk. Jean-Paul began to tell Gus about animals and how to respect and care for them. He was inspired by Ava’s voice echoing across the years, teaching her children the same lessons. Once they reached the cottage Jean-Paul wrapped the hedgehog in a cloth and gave him to Gus. At first Gus was alarmed, afraid that the hedgehog would bite him for having prodded his face. But Jean-Paul reassured him. “The hedgehog can read your mind. If you think loving thoughts, he will pick up on them and cease to be afraid.” Sure enough the hedgehog stopped trembling and began to sniff the palms of his hands.
Gus giggled. “He wants to eat me.”
“No he doesn’t, he’s just exploring. However, I do think he’s hungry. We’ll put him in this box and give him some milk.”
“Will he be all right?”
“Oh yes. We’ll feed him up, keep him warm, then put him back in the wild tomorrow. He’s probably eaten something that’s disagreed with him.”
“He’s got a sweet nose,” said Gus, laughing again as it tickled him.
“You know that hedgehog probably has a mummy and a daddy who are missing him. He might have brothers and sisters, too. When we put him back we’ll see if we can find them.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“If someone hurt you your parents would be very upset, wouldn’t they?” Gus nodded. “If you hurt this hedgehog, his parents would be upset as well, don’t you think?” Gus shrugged, feeling bad. “He’s not very different from you. He has just as much right as you do to be on the earth. We all live here together and we will all die here one day. You must respect God’s creatures, even the smallest ants. You will do that for me, won’t you?”
“Yes,” said Gus, stroking the hedgehog’s face with his finger. The animal seemed to be enjoying it.
Jean-Paul poured some milk into a bowl. “What’s your sister up to this afternoon?”
“With Mummy. Daddy went up to London.” The boy’s face clouded.
“Are you disappointed?”
“He said he was going to take us to Mr. Fitzherbert’s farm to play on the tractors.”
“He’s very busy, isn’t he?”
“He’s always busy. He never has time to play with us.” Quite unexpectedly, Gus opened his heart to Jean-Paul. Feelings he had never put into words poured out in a jumble. “They want to send me away to boarding school—but it’s not my fault—I never started it—I only bit him because he called me names—Daddy always promises to play with me—but he never does—he’s always too busy—other daddys play with their children—why can’t he play with me?” The little boy began to sob. Jean-Paul put his arm around him, listening to the barely comprehensible soliloquy of injustices. Finally, Gus grew quiet, his body jerking with the odd sharp intake of breath he was unable to control.
“Grown-ups are very hard to understand sometimes. It’s not fair that your father promises to play with you then lets you down. But the intention is there. He wanted to play with you and meant to do so. Perhaps he was called away urgently and he’s as disappointed as you are.” Gus sniffed, incredulous. “You must tell them you don’t want to go to boarding school.”
“They won’t listen. They never listen.”
“Then you must ask them to listen and be strong about it. But be calm and steady and don’t get cross. You have to set them a good example. They will do as you do.” Gus looked unconvinced. “Do you still want to play on the tractors?” The boy’s eyes lit up. “Come on then, we have time before tea.”