Quill wasn’t loud, fast, or fierce. He was a slow, sleepy porcupine who loved munching bark and napping under the pines behind the Harris family’s cabin. But each evening, Quill had a job: porch patrol.

Every night, he shuffled up the path, sniffed around, and settled near the steps to watch over the porch. Most nights were quiet. Until one morning… they weren’t.

An Unexpected Visitor

A young black bear cub, fresh from a nap and full of curiosity, wandered through the trees.
He wasn’t dangerous, just hungry and curious. The scent of syrup and peanut butter crackers from breakfast led him straight to the porch.

Step by step, the cub sniffed closer, paws padding silently up the wooden steps.

Stand Off at the Porch

The cub tilted his head, curious. He sniffed again. Took one more step.

Quill didn’t move aside.
He stood taller. His quills bristled and shimmered in the sun. He gave one firm stomp.

The cub blinked. And then, turned tail and ran back into the woods as fast as his furry feet could go.