The Three Little Pigs

A mother pig had three little pigs, but she did not have enough to support them. She therefore sent them out into the world to seek their fortunes.

The first pig came across a man with a bundle of straw. He asked politely for some straw to build a house, and the man gave it to him. Once his house was built, a wolf appeared at the door and demanded to be let in.

The pig refused. The wolf threatened to blow the house down, then did exactly that. With the straw house destroyed, he ate the first little pig.

The second pig met a man carrying branches of a bush. He asked for them and built himself a house. When the wolf arrived, he received the same refusal as before. Again he threatened to blow the house down. He blew until it collapsed and ate the second pig as well.

The third pig, however, built his house from bricks supplied by another man. He too refused to open his door to the wolf. This time, despite all the wolf’s efforts, the house would not fall down.

Unable to get inside, the wolf told the pig about a field of turnips. If the pig was ready the following morning, they could collect some together for dinner. They agreed on six o’clock. The pig got up at five, collected a potful of turnips and returned home before the wolf arrived.

The wolf was annoyed, but he had another suggestion. He knew a good apple tree, and the next morning he would collect the pig at five. The pig left at four, hoping to get back ahead of him. However, the tree was further away, and he had to climb it. Just as he was coming down, he saw the wolf approaching.

The wolf asked whether the apples were good. The pig assured him they were and offered to throw one down. He threw it so far that the wolf had to go after it. While the wolf was fetching the apple, the pig jumped down and ran home.

On his next visit, the wolf suggested going to a fair at three that afternoon. Once again, the pig set off early. At the fair he bought a butter churn, a large round container used to make butter. As he was bringing it home, he saw the wolf coming towards him.

Not knowing what else to do, the pig climbed inside the churn to hide. His movement made it turn over and roll downhill. The sight frightened the wolf so much that he ran home without going to the fair.

Later, the wolf visited the pig and described the terrifying round object that had rushed past him. The pig told him what had really happened: he had hidden inside his new churn and rolled down the hill.

Furious at this discovery, the wolf announced that he would come down the chimney and eat the pig. The pig put a pot full of water over a blazing fire. Just as the wolf descended, he lifted the lid, allowing him to fall straight into the water. He immediately replaced the lid, boiled the wolf and ate him for supper. Then he lived happily ever after.