# Živali v jeseni

"Živali v jeseni" ("Animals in Autumn") is a Slovenian children's song credited to Mira Voglar, showing how the animals prepare for winter: the hedgehog gathers fruit, the bear beds his den, the squirrel stores nuts, the swallows fly south.

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Slovenia |
| Sung in | Slovenian |
| Words by | Mira Voglar |
| First known | credited to Mira Voglar |
| Best for ages | 2–7 |
| Mood | traditional, playful |
| Page | https://littlesongbook.com/songs/zivali-v-jeseni/ |

## Lyrics

### Verse 1 (sl)

Ježek teka, teka
in se kotali,
jabolka in hruške
nabirati hiti.

### Verse 2 (sl)

Medved kosmatinec,
svoj brlog ravna,
z listjem si postilja,
zaspano godrnja.

### Verse 3 (sl)

Urna veverica
pleza na drevo,
lešnike nabira
za zimsko lakoto.

### Verse 4 (sl)

Ptice lastovice
odletele so
v južne tople kraje,
jih krila nesejo.

### English translation (en)

The hedgehog runs and runs
and rolls himself along,
hurrying to gather up
apples and pears.

The shaggy bear
tidies his den,
beds himself with leaves,
grumbling sleepily.

The nimble squirrel
climbs up the tree,
gathering hazelnuts
against winter hunger.

The swallow birds
have flown away
to warm southern lands,
their wings carrying them.

## Common questions

**What is "Živali v jeseni" about?**

How animals get ready for winter. The hedgehog runs about and rolls to gather apples and pears; the shaggy bear tidies his den, beds it with leaves and grumbles sleepily; the nimble squirrel climbs the tree to store hazelnuts against winter hunger; and the swallows fly away to warm southern lands. Each verse is one animal's autumn preparation.

**What does "Živali v jeseni" teach?**

A gentle first lesson in nature and the seasons — how different animals respond to the coming cold (gathering food, making a warm den, hibernating, migrating). It pairs each behaviour with a familiar animal so children can remember it.

**Who wrote "Živali v jeseni"?**

It is credited to Mira Voglar, a Slovenian composer and music educator known for her work with children's songs and music for the very young. We have kept that attribution as given in our source.

## Sources

- [VVZ Kekec Grosuplje — Živali jeseni (M. Voglar)](https://vrtec-kekec.si/zivali-jeseni-m-voglar/)