The Furlings are a group of young animal characters created in 1989 by Welsh author Rae Lambert

Rae Lambert

Rae Lambert is a Welsh author and graphic artist who was once a staff member at the Welsh TV station, HTV, and has also worked with the BBC and ITV. The Furlings, who appear in the 1993 animated film Once Upon a Forest, are his best known creation. Lambert has also written a series of books about a...

. They first appeared in A Furling's Story, which subsequently was the basis for 20th Century Fox

20th Century Fox

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...

/Hanna-Barbera

Hanna-Barbera

Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. was an American animation studio that dominated North American television animation during the second half of the 20th century...

's 1993 animated film

1993 in film

The year 1993 in film involved many significant films, including the blockbuster hits Jurassic Park, The Fugitive and The Firm. -Events:...

, Once Upon a Forest

Once Upon a Forest

Once Upon a Forest is an animated film produced by Hanna-Barbera in association with HTV Cymru/Wales, Ltd. and released on June 18, 1993 by 20th Century Fox....

.

The Furlings consist of the woodmouse Abigail, who is the leader of the group; Edgar, the mole; and Russell, a hungry hedgehog. All three attend the classes of a wise old badger named Cornelius, whose niece Michelle is also a student. Perhaps on purpose, the initials of the furlings put together form Lambert's first name, which is (R)ussell (A)bigail (E)dgar.

In Once Upon a Forest, they were voiced by Ellen Blain (Abigail), Benji Gregory

Benji Gregory

Benji Gregory Benji Gregory Benji Gregory (born Benjamin Gregory Hertzberg on May 26, 1978 in Panorama City, California (IMDB reports that Mr Gregory-Hertzberg was born in Encino, California) is an American actor. He is best known for playing the role of Brian Tanner on ALF (1986)...

 (Edgar) and Paige Gosney (Russell).