You see there was a time when Porcupine didn't have quills, she had the softest coat in all of Tinga Tinga and Jackal wanted it. Despite warnings from all the animals, Porcupine allowed Jackal to invite her to his cave to keep out of the rain. Porcupine took off her coat to allow it to dry, but while she slept, naughty Jackal ran off with it. When she awoke, Porcupine was covered in lots of tiny ant bites and they itched and they itched and they itched.

Tortoise suggested Elephant squeeze some milk from the milky quill bush but Porcupine couldn't wait anymore and ran into the quill bushes to relieve her itching. Crash! Crash! Crash! Porcupine crashed through the quill bushes and emerged covered in spiky quills! The animals couldn't believe their eyes! But Porcupine was delighted as no beast would ever come near her sensitive skin ever again! Tales from Africa.