Story by Derrick Weber | Image by Iris Wanders
As the three little pigs drove out the lane, each in their own vehicles, Mamma pig turned to Dad and said, “I’m so worried that they are going out into the world on their own. I hope they spend their money wisely and find good jobs.”
Meanwhile, the first little pig was on his merry way to the tractor dealership. He had decided on farming to earn his bread. Although he had no experience in that career, he felt certain he could manage it, as he had frequently played farming games with his brothers and he sometimes won. When he pulled into the dealer’s yard, he spotted a beautiful shining tractor with wide tires. He immediately walked into the office. A man said, “And how can I help you today, Mr. Pig I?”
“I have decided to buy that 8R 410 tractor you have out there, sir.”
In the following days he bought a brand new combine, a sprayer, and another tractor. Six months later, he wrecked down his old barn and built a new one, substantially bigger than the old one. Then he bought himself another 2026 model tractor, a large square baler, and some planting and tillage equipment. At last he settled down and tried to farm and be happy with what he had, forgetting all about making payments. After repeated visits from his banker, Mr. Wolf, and failing to make payments, the banker put the farm up for sale. The precariously-built straw house of Mr. Pig I fell down.
*****
In the first few days after Mr. Pig II had left his dear Mom and Dad along with his brothers, he too had decided on farming and was buying farming equipment. Unlike his first brother pig, he was trying to save money by buying some of the oldest things on the market. He secured a two-wheel drive gasoline tractor that could hardly pull his three-furrow plow. His rusted plow fell apart the first time he used it. Just half of the rows got planted with the old seed drill he bought. He decided to skip every other truss to save money on the barn he was building and the first winter it collapsed. When he found the banker was after him for money, he sold his tractor and bought a still older one, trying to get money together. After Mr. Wolf’s patience was exhausted on him, the farm was sold and the stick house of Mr. Pig II fell down
*****
By chance, the third pig also tried farming. The first thing he did was go to an older experienced farmer for advice. Soon he started buying some bare basics which were of good quality and were inexpensive. His barn did not have many luxuries and he worked hard. When Mr. Wolf came for his annual visit, he saw that the third pig had built his house well. And Mr. Pig III lived happily ever after.