I think it's lacking in todays world, this "honesty." In fact, I'm quite sure of it.

I used to think that one could take words at face value, to trust others who would speak to you of important things. Now though, I find I've been put in my place.

By a hedgehog no less.

Not the anthropomorphic video game mascot, no, a real live, honest to goodness (ironic) hedgehog.

I stepped out into my driveway with full intentions of getting into my car and going to the local frozen yogurt bar. I'm pretty health conscious that way. But as I turned the key in the lock I heard this little "psssst, hey buddy." from near my feet.

At first I thought someone was trapped under my car, but I soon swept that thought to the side considering he probably would have said something when I got out the night before.

I stepped back and glanced down trying to eye what might have gotten my attention, and there nestled behind my front wheel was the hedgehog.

"Yo, you got five bucks?"

I stared at it in confusion, then glanced around thinking to see cameras filming my obvious discomfort at such a strange act.

"I do... but... why would you need money?" I conveniently ignored the fact I was talking to an animal as if he were an ord- it were an ordinary person on the street... or, under my wheel well.

He smirked, "Oh come on, give a guy a break. It's for my kids, y'know? Five bucks'll feed'em for weeks. We're hedgehogs for crying out loud."

I blinked and glanced around again. It sounded reasonable. I wasn't too sure about hedgehog's eating habits but I figured five dollars could very well keep a family of them fed for a while.

"Aren't you supposed to... hunt for food, or scavenge or... something?" by the end of my query my voice had dwindled under his stare.

"Mind your own business." he snapped.

I frowned then, not really wanting to give him money but at a loss to having an excuse not to. An idea flashed in my head, though, and I was able to keep my face neutral.

"Well, if it's none of my business..." I trailed off, stepping back towards my unlocked car door.

"Wait, wait! Ok, I'm sorry, just... c'mon, five bucks..."

He didn't sound particularly remorseful but by this time I kind of wanted the whole thing behind me. I was doubting my sanity.

"Ok, fine... here."

I took out my wallet and leafed through a few bills. I laid a fiver down near him (taking care not to get too close) and slipped my wallet back into my pocket.

"Thanks man, hopefully I can return the favor someday." He scuttled out from under my car and zipped into the bushes, out of sight.

I stared after him for a moment wondering if it all really happened the way I thought, then climbed into my car and went about my business.

As fate would have it, however, I ran across the hedgehog outside the liquor store next to the frozen yogurt place. He was propped against the wall with a brown bag none-too-discretely covering a large bottle of whiskey. The air around him reaked of alcohol.

I frowned down at him, recognition still far from his eyes.

"Kids huh?" I asked curtly.

After a moment his eyes lit up and he waved a paw at me, "Hey, hey, s'cool right? Here, lemme repay you..." and he held the bottle out to me.

I sighed and walked away. I didn't even get my frozen yogurt, I came straight home and typed this up.