A mother desperate for a child claims she doesn't care what she gets, even if it is is hedgehog, she just wants a baby. Soon, she is pregnant and gives birth to a strange hedgehog-human kind of beast. She names this odd child Hans, though he is soon known far and wide as the grovelhog. Fed up with being abused and made fun of, Hans decides to set out on his own on the back of his faithful giant rooster. Becoming a hermit, his fortunes soon change when he meets a lost king.
This episode provides examples of:
- Abusive Parents: Hans' father hates his grovelhog son, verbally insulting him and threatening to beat him multiple times.
- Be Careful What You Wish For: Subverted. The mother was quite honest when she said she didn't care what sort of child she got, loving Hans with all her heart.
- Friend to All Living Things: Hans is extremely good with animals and generally gets along with them better than he does humans.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: What Hans becomes as an adult. He is extremely gruff and even fierce, but he has a kind and generous heart.
- My God, What Have I Done?:
- When Hans makes his love for his father clear, even after all these years of abuse, the father is left ashamed and tremendously guilty.
- The princess after she betrays her husband's trust by trying to burn his quills. After he leaves, she is determined to make things right.
