A Pig’s Life

Long, long ago, there was a farm on which a farmer lived happily with his family. He had a young daughter too. He was well-to-do and also had several animals on his farm. Among them were two beautiful red bullocks. They were called Big Red and Little Red respectively. He gave them hay and let them out to graze in the meadows outside. They did all the work in the fields and pulled the cart on market days.
On the farm there was also a little pig. He was called Pidge. The farmer treated him very well. He was fed porridge and sweet brown sugar, and all the best foods in the house. This used to make Little Red feel very jealous.

One day, he asked Big Red, “Why does this fellow get such special treatment? We do all the hard work on the farm and get only grass and hay to eat. Pidge simply sits around and eats all the goodies the whole day! I sometimes wish I too could taste the sweet brown sugar. This is not fair!”
Big Red laughed, “Little one, don’t envy him. Why do you think Pidge is given such special treatment? The farmer has a daughter, doesn’t he?”
“Yes,” said Little Red, “But what has that to do with Pidge?”
“Ah! In a little while, the farmer’s daughter will be married. And Pidge will be a part of the feast!” said Big Red.
“You mean he’ll get more food to eat,” asked Little Red again, thoroughly confused.
“No! No! He will be cooked and served as the feast in all the best dishes at the wedding of the farmer’s daughter. He will be killed. That’s why they are feeding him up so that he may be ready to be killed for the feast,” explained Big Red.

Little Red was horrified. “Good heavens!” he said, “I am glad that we get only hay and grass! At least, we are able to live safely, without fear of such a terrible future.”
Everything happened exactly as Big Red had said. The farmer’s daughter was married. It was a lavish wedding followed by a big feast. Pidge had been killed and was part of many of the curries that were served to the guests.
The two bulls watched with some sadness. Big Red said, “Envy is never useful, Little Red. We should wait and see what happens to those whom we think are especially lucky.” “They too have to pay a heavy price for the special treatment that they receive!” Little Red agreed.

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