My own poetic translation of "Ježeva kuća", a famous poem by Branko Ćopić.
In deepest forest
Without roads
Henry the Hedgehog
Travels alone.
A famous hunter
Without fear
He proudly carries
Three hundred spears.
In forest kingdom
Stories are told
Of hero Henry,
Of brave and bold,
Of his adventures,
And where he roams,
Not much is known though
'bout his home...
[One Monday morning,
And for the better,
Henry the Hedgehog
Received a letter.]
A lovely letter,
You wouldn't guess
Proudly delivered
By Hare Express.
Brief is the address
But understood:
"For my friend Henry
End of the Wood".
[The letter said:]
Henry, my buddy,
How do you do?
I often think of
And dream of you.
Here at the quarry,
House of stone,
No one to talk to!
I'm all alone.
Come for a visit,
And for a feast,
It will be splendid,
To say the least.
My tasty dinner
Bubbles with grease...
Hope you are hungry?
And hurry, please!
It is this evening,
At four o'clock,
Here at my palace
At Quarry Rocks.
Bye now,
Best wishes,
Your friend,
The Fox.
[Hedgehog is happy:]
An invitation?
Oh, what a thrill!
I also welcome
A tasty meal.
Time to get ready
For a big trip,
There is just one thing
I can not skip.
With dedication
And certain zeal,
Henry then sharpens
All of his spears:
"If on my journey
I get attacked
I will be ready
To fight them back!"
The yellow circle
Was past the top
When Henry got to
His final stop.
Before the house
To show respect
He deeply bows
Takes off his hat
He sees the Foxy
A friendly face
And he salutes her
With chosen phrase:
"Hello there, Foxy,
My friend so dear!
In all my armor
I bow to thee.
May your home always
Be filled with peace
And also chicken,
Ducklings and geese.
May you forever
Be safe and sound,
Never encounter
Hunters and hounds.
And final message
Is for the end:
I skipped my breakfast.
Let's eat, my friend!"
And so began a
Marvelous feast.
Unseen by any
Foresty beast.
With all the courses
They like the most
Henry quite often
Raises a toast:
For the well being
Of his best friend,
For tasty dinner
That never ends.
And they together
Munch and devour
And it goes on for
Several hours.
And as their bellies
Became so tight
Behold, the evening
Turned into night.
"Oh dear!", says Henry,
"Food was so great
I didn't realize
It was this late!"
And he looks outside,
And sees the moon,
Puts down his bowl
And greasy spoon:
"It was delicious,
Tasty and all,
But now, my Foxy,
I have to go."
"Hm, that's not clever,
Don't think you should.
There will be danger
Out in the wood.
Instead, my buddy,
May I suggest:
Stay for the night and
Have a good rest.
My home is spacious,
And rich and safe,
Then in the morning
Be on your way."
That's how the Foxy
Begs him to stay
But Henry, stubborn,
Would not be swayed:
"Your home is lovely,
You're a great host,
But my own cottage
I like the most".
And off to forest,
Bliss in his eyes:
"My little cottage,
My paradise!"
Foxy stayed, thinking:
"Hm, that is strange.
We had a good time
Why such a change?
Since Henry misses
His home so much
It must be splendid
And rich and such.
Although my palace
Is more than fine
His could be even
Better than mine.
I won't be sleeping
With all these doubts.
I'll go behind him
And check it out."
A quiet shadow
She moves at night,
Still, all the sudden,
A wolf in sight:
"What are you up to
While others sleep?
Maybe you spotted
Goat or a sheep?"
She says: "I'm going,
Quiet as mouse,
To see why Hedgehog
Loves his own house."
"Love for a house?
Is that some prank?
I give my lair
For two lamb shanks!
Can I come with you?
I hope that's cool.
I want to see him,
He's such a fool!"
They rush together,
No time to spare,
And they encounter
A clumsy bear.
"Where are you going
Under these stars?
Did you discover
Some honey jars?"
...(explanation here)...
"You must be joking!"
Exclaimed the bear.
I trade my hollow
For tasty pears.
Can I come with you?
I hope that's cool.
I want to see him,
He's such a fool!"
Their feet are noisy
On forest floor
So they awaken
A dirty boar.
"What are you up to?
I slept so tight.
And now you triggered
My apetite."
...(explanation)...
"And now you got me
In laughing mood.
I sell my puddle
For smell of food.
Can I come with you?
I hope that's cool.
I want to see him,
He's such a fool!"
They all together
Quicken their pace
To catch up with him,
To end the race.
They peek through branches
And through the fog
As Henry stops at
Some broken log.
A tiny hollow
A leafy floor
That's where he enters
And shuts the door.
Their mouths open,
They blink their eyes,
And then they shout
In their surprise:
"Oh stupid Hedgehog,
Stupid indeed
Is this the house
You hold so dear?
That little cottage
You love as gold
Is dark and dusty
And very old.
Not even cottage,
More like a shed;
There are no windows
Just floor and bed.
And for the record,
This noisy bunch
Would trade your house
For one good lunch."
It doesn't matter
How far I roam,
I always come to
My little home.
It's very modest
But it is mine
I am the boss here
All of the time.
There is no lender
There is no loan
This place is Henry's
And his alone.
All those who plunder
And rob and steal
And lose their house
For tasty meals
Will never realize
How good that feels.
Fox said "I see it,
Hedgehog is right!"
And then she vanished
Into the night.
But all the others
Did not approve:
"Hedgehog is stupid,
And so are you!"
What happens later?
How does it end?
Yes, I will tell you,
Listen, my friend.
The clumsy teddy
Killed by the bees
Fattened by honey
He couldn't flee.
For one more season
Plundered the boar
When hunters found him
He was no more.
Wolf also ended
Similar way:
In his last hunting
He was the prey.
In deepest forest
Without roads
Henry the Hedgehog
Still hunts and roams.
Has more adventures
Than Henry Jones
And loves forever
His humble home.