Once upon a time, a wealthy peasant had everything but a child. Mocked by others, he angrily declared he would have a child, "even if it is a hedgehog." His wife then gave birth to a boy whose top half was a hedgehog. They named him Hans-My-Hedgehog.
Due to his quills, Hans was placed on straw behind the stove, where he lay for eight years. His father grew tired of him. One day, the father went to a fair. When asked what he wanted, Hans requested bagpipes. Upon receiving them, Hans asked his father to have his rooster shod, then rode away into the forest, vowing never to return.
In the forest, Hans lived in a tall tree, tending his pigs and donkeys and playing beautiful music on his bagpipes. One day, a lost king heard the music. Hans offered to show him the way home in exchange for a written promise: the first thing that greeted the king at his castle. The king agreed but deceitfully wrote a false promise, thinking Hans couldn't read. The first to greet him was his daughter, the princess, who was relieved by her father's trick.
Later, another lost king heard Hans's music. Hans made the same offer, and this king honestly promised him the first thing he met at home. It was his beautiful daughter. Despite her horror, she agreed to go with Hans for her father's sake.
Hans's herd grew vast. He informed his father to prepare for a great slaughter. His father, who thought Hans was dead, was saddened but complied. After the event, Hans had his rooster reshod and left for good.
Hans first went to the deceitful king's kingdom, where he was attacked. He flew to the king's window and demanded his due, threatening their lives. The princess was sent out richly dressed. However, once away from the city, Hans punished her for the king's deceit by pricking her with his quills and sending her back, cursed.
Hans then went to the honest king's kingdom, where he was welcomed with honor. He married the princess. That night, he instructed guards to burn his hedgehog skin in a fire. When they did, he was transformed into a handsome, though initially charred, young man. After being treated by physicians, he became a handsome prince. Their wedding was truly celebrated, and Hans inherited the kingdom.
Years later, Hans visited his father, who did not recognize him. Upon revealing his identity, his father rejoiced and returned with him to his kingdom.