Harvey the Hedgehog Does What He Says - A Children's Story

Harvey the Hedgehog Does What He Says

By Bill Conley

Moral of the Story:

When you say you’re going to do something, it’s important to follow through. Your words mean something, and people trust you more when your actions match your promises. Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching—and especially when it’s hard. If you start something, finish it with care and heart, and you’ll become someone others can count on for life.

Harvey the Hedgehog lived in Maple Leaf Hollow, a cozy little village tucked between the river and the hills.

He was cheerful, friendly, and always full of big ideas.

“Let’s build a tree fort!”
“I’ll help with the garden!”
“I’ll paint the community sign this weekend!”

But there was just one problem.

Harvey didn’t always do what he said he would do.

He meant well. He liked to help. But when it came time to follow through… he often got distracted, forgot, or put it off.

One Saturday morning, Harvey ran into Daisy the Deer at the market.

“Hey, Harvey!” Daisy said. “Thanks again for offering to help carry books at the library this afternoon!”

Harvey blinked. “Oh, right! Yep, I’ll be there!”

But after lunch, Harvey saw Milo the Mole flying his new kite.

“Ooooh! That looks fun!” Harvey said. “Maybe I’ll just fly it once…”

One time turned into five… then ten.

By the time Harvey looked at the sun, it was late afternoon.

“Oh no!” he gasped. “The library!”

He raced there, but the door was closed. Daisy had done all the work herself.

The next day, Ricky the Raccoon asked, “Harvey, did you finish the poster for the school talent show?”

Harvey bit his lip. “Not yet, but I will tonight. Promise!”

That night, he started to work… but then he heard music coming from Benny the Bunny’s house.

“They’re practicing for the talent show!” Harvey thought. “I’ll just go watch for a little bit…”

The next morning, Ricky walked into school, holding a wrinkled, unfinished poster Harvey had rushed through at the last second.

“Oh,” said Ricky. “I thought you said you’d have it done.”

Harvey looked at the ground. “I meant to.”

Later that week, Harvey went to visit his Grandpa Henry, who was sanding wood for a birdhouse.

“Grandpa,” Harvey said quietly, “I think I messed up.”

“Tell me what happened,” Grandpa said, brushing sawdust off his fur.

“I told Daisy I’d help. I told Ricky I’d finish the poster. But I didn’t. I keep saying I’ll do things… but then I don’t.”

Grandpa nodded. “That sounds like a tough feeling.”

“I didn’t mean to let anyone down,” Harvey said.

“But you did,” Grandpa replied gently. “And here’s why that matters: when your words don’t match your actions, people stop trusting you.”

Harvey’s ears drooped. “I don’t want that.”

Grandpa smiled and handed him a tiny wooden sign. It read:
Integrity means doing what you said you would do—especially when it’s not easy.

“It’s not about being perfect,” Grandpa said. “It’s about being reliable. People need to know they can count on your word.”

Harvey read the sign again. Then he tucked it into his bag.

“I’m going to do better,” he said.

The next morning, Miss Owl stood in front of the class.

“We’re building a garden path this week. We need volunteers to rake, place stones, and plant flowers.”

Harvey raised his paw. “I’ll help after school.”

Miss Owl gave a warm smile. “Wonderful!”

That afternoon, Harvey felt tempted when he saw his friends heading to the berry stand.

“Come on, Harvey!” they called. “There’s a new honeyberry flavor!”

But Harvey clenched his paws. He remembered Grandpa’s sign.

“Do what you said you would do.”

He turned toward the schoolyard instead.

For an hour, Harvey raked and shoveled, placing stones carefully along the garden edge.

Miss Owl watched from the window, smiling.

The next day, Daisy asked Harvey if he’d help water the plants while she was at a dentist appointment.

“I’ll do it right after lunch,” he said.

And he did.

He even watered the thirsty sunflowers twice and left a note that said, “Hope your smile is shiny!”

Later, Ricky handed Harvey a stack of papers. “I need help folding these programs for the show. You in?”

Harvey paused, then said, “Yes—but give me until tomorrow after school. I have time then, and I’ll get it done.”

He stayed after school the next day and folded every single one—neatly and on time.

By the end of the week, things were different.

Daisy smiled when she saw Harvey.
Ricky gave him a high-five.
Even Miss Owl gave him a gold star with the words:
"Reliable & Responsible!"

Harvey beamed.

He hadn’t been perfect, but he had tried. He had followed through.

And it felt good.

At the community gathering that weekend, Miss Owl stood in front of the crowd.

“Today, I want to recognize someone who has shown true integrity. Someone who says what he’ll do—and does what he says.”

She turned toward Harvey.

“Harvey the Hedgehog.”

The crowd clapped.

Harvey stood up slowly. He felt nervous—but proud.

“I used to say I’d do things and then forget or put them off,” he said. “But I learned that when you don’t follow through, people stop believing you. Now I try to be someone others can rely on.”

He paused and added:

“Being a person of your word feels better than anything.”

That night, Harvey looked at Grandpa Henry’s sign on his wall.

Integrity means doing what you said you would do—especially when it’s not easy.

He nodded.

Then he opened his calendar and wrote:

“Monday: Help Miss Owl organize the shed.”
“Tuesday: Write a thank-you note to Daisy.”
“Wednesday: Start painting the new school sign.”

No more forgetting. No more, maybe.

Just doing what he said—when he said he’d do it.

Harvey the Hedgehog had become someone his friends could count on.

And even more importantly…

He could count on himself.

Moral Poem to End the Story:

If you say you’ll do a thing, then do it without delay.
Don’t make excuses or forget—just follow through each day.
A heart of truth, a steady hand, a promise kept with pride—
It will make you strong and trusted, with true friends by your side.