Harper the Hedgehog Does Her Homework First - A Children's Story

 Harper the Hedgehog Does Her Homework First

By Bill Conley – America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller

Moral of the Story:
Homework helps you learn, grow, and become your very best self.
Always try your hardest to do your work on your own first.
Only ask for help when you truly need it and can’t find the answer.
Doing your homework before you play shows you’re responsible and wise.
Schoolwork comes before play because learning shapes your future.
Turning in your work on time makes your teachers and parents proud.
A strong, smart mind is built one page, one problem at a time.
Work first, then play—your future self will thank you every single day!

Deep in the gentle hills of Pine Grove Lane, a curious little hedgehog named Harper lived with her Mama and Papa in a cozy burrow lined with warm blankets and shelves full of books. Harper loved learning new things at Pine Grove School. She loved reading big storybooks, counting acorns, and drawing bright, colorful pictures for her teachers.

One breezy Monday afternoon, Harper bounded off the bus with her backpack bouncing on her back. She burst through the door of her burrow. “Mama! I’m home!” she squeaked.

Mama Hedgehog looked up from folding laundry. “Hi, sweetheart! How was school today?”

Harper’s eyes shone. “It was wonderful! We learned about caterpillars and how they turn into butterflies. And we have new math problems too!”

Mama smiled. “That’s wonderful, Harper. Now, what comes next?”

Harper glanced out the window, where the sun made the yard warm and inviting. She could see her friends—Becca the Bunny and Finn the Fox—laughing and playing tag under the big oak tree.

Harper’s paws twitched. She wanted to join them so badly. But then she remembered what Mama always said: “Work first, then play.”

She dropped her backpack by the kitchen table and unzipped it. Out came her math worksheet, her reading log, and her science questions about caterpillars.

“Mama, will you help me with my math problems?” Harper asked, peeking up at Mama hopefully.

Mama Hedgehog sat beside her. “Harper, I know math can feel tricky sometimes. But you should always try it on your own first. I did my homework when I was your age, just like Papa did his. Now it’s your turn.”

Harper sighed but nodded. She remembered what her teacher, Mrs. Finch, always said: “Trying first makes you stronger. Mistakes help you learn.”

So Harper pulled her pencil from her fuzzy pencil case and read the first question. She tapped her tiny paw on the table as she thought. Slowly, she wrote down her answer. Some problems were easy. A few were harder. She scratched her head and erased a number or two, but she kept trying.

When she got stuck on a really tough problem about adding acorns, she tried to solve it three different ways. Finally, she looked up at Mama. “Okay, Mama. I really did try. But this one’s too hard. Can you help me just this once?”

Mama smiled and sat down again. “Of course, Harper. You tried first, and that’s what counts. Let’s solve this one together.”

Mama didn’t give Harper the answer. Instead, she asked questions, pointing to the acorns in the problem, and guided Harper to think it through. When Harper figured it out on her own, she felt so proud she squeaked out loud!

“See? You did it!” Mama said. “Now, on to the next.”

Next, Harper read her science book about caterpillars. She wrote down three facts about how they munch on leaves and curl up in cocoons. Finally, she filled out her reading log with the story she read in class.

It took a little time. She heard Becca and Finn laughing outside. She heard the birds singing and the breeze rustling the grass. Part of her wanted to toss her pencil aside and run outside.

But she didn’t.

When the last sentence was finished, Harper clapped her paws together. “I did it! Homework done!”

Mama Hedgehog checked her work. “Perfect! You worked hard, tried on your own, and only asked for help when you truly needed it. Now go play, sweetheart—you earned it.”

Harper burst out the door like a little puffball of joy. “Becca! Finn! I’m ready!” she called.

They all ran under the oak tree and played tag until the sun dipped behind the hills. Harper’s mind felt clear, her heart felt light, and her tummy felt warm when Papa called her in for supper.

At the dinner table, Papa asked, “Did you finish your homework today, Harper?”

Harper grinned. “Yes, Papa! I did my math and science, and I read my book too. I did it all before playing.”

Papa Hedgehog gave her a proud nod. “That’s my smart girl. You always remember—school comes first. When you do your work first, you build the future you dream of.”

Harper felt a happy bubble rise in her chest. She pictured herself one day reading big books all by herself, solving even harder math, and maybe even helping her own little hedgehogs with their homework one day, after they tried first, of course.

Before bed, Harper snuggled under her quilt and whispered to herself, “Work first, then play. Try first, then ask. I can do hard things when I try.”

Outside her window, the moon shone bright, like a gentle reminder that tomorrow would bring more lessons, more learning, and another chance to do her best, all by herself first.

And as Harper drifted off to sleep, she dreamed of colorful butterflies soaring high, just like she would one day, because she learned to do her homework first.

Moral of the Story Poem:
Homework first, then run and play.
Try it alone; that’s the best way.
Mistakes are lessons that help you grow.
Answers come when you think slowly.
When you’re stuck, ask, but only then—
Be proud to do it all again.
Schoolwork first—your future’s bright.
You’ll shine with knowledge, strong and right!