The Porcupine’s Dilemma

The North American Common Porcupine is a member of the rodent family that has around 30,000 quills attached to his body. Each quill can be driven into an enemy, and the enemy’s body heat will cause the microscopic barb to expand and become more firmly embedded. The wounds can fester; the more dangerous ones, affecting vital organs, can be fatal.

…Porcupines don’t always want to be alone. In the late autumn, a young porcupine’s thoughts turn to love. … Fear and anger make them dangerous little creatures to be around. This is the Porcupine’s Dilemma: How do you get close without getting…