The Three Little Pigs

1840s England

Story

Once upon a time, there were three little pigs who lived with their mother in a cozy cottage. When they were old enough, their mother said, "The time has come for you to go out into the world and make your own way. But be careful of the Big Bad Wolf!" With kisses and waves, the three little pigs set off to build their own homes.

The first little pig was rather lazy, and he wanted to play more than work. He quickly gathered some straw and built a straw house. "There!" he said happily. "Now I can play all day!" And he went off to dance and sing in the sunshine.

The second little pig worked a bit harder. He gathered sticks and twigs from the forest and built a stick house. "Good enough for me!" he said, and hurried off to join his brother in play.

The third little pig was the wisest. He worked hard all day, carrying heavy bricks and mixing mortar. His brothers teased him. "Come play with us!" they called. But the third pig kept working until his strong brick house was complete, with a sturdy door and a fine chimney.

One day, the Big Bad Wolf came prowling through the countryside, hungry for pigs. He spotted the first little pig's straw house and licked his lips. "Little pig, little pig, let me come in!" he called.

"Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin!" squealed the pig.

"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in!" growled the wolf. And he huffed, and he puffed, and he blew the straw house down! The first little pig ran as fast as his trotters could carry him to his brother's stick house.

The wolf followed and stood before the stick house. "Little pigs, little pigs, let me come in!" "Not by the hair of our chinny chin chins!" cried the two pigs. So the wolf huffed, and he puffed, and he blew the stick house down! The two pigs fled to their brother's brick house.

The wolf approached the brick house and tried again. "Little pigs, little pigs, let me come in!" "Not by the hair of our chinny chin chins!" the three pigs shouted together. The wolf huffed and puffed with all his might, but the brick house stood firm. He puffed until he was out of breath, but not a single brick moved.

Furious, the wolf climbed onto the roof and began to squeeze down the chimney. But the wise third pig had lit a fire and set a pot of water to boil. Down came the wolf—SPLASH!—right into the boiling water! He howled, leaped from the pot, and ran away as fast as he could, never to bother the pigs again. And the three little pigs lived happily ever after in the strong brick house.

History and Meaning

"The Three Little Pigs" has its roots in English folklore and was first published in print form by James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps around 1849. However, the story likely existed in oral tradition long before. The most famous written version appears in Joseph Jacobs' "English Fairy Tales" (1890).

The tale has been adapted countless times, including the famous 1933 Disney animated short film, which introduced the song "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" during the Great Depression. The story resonated with audiences as a parable about hard work triumphing over adversity.

Symbolism and Meaning

Hard Work and Preparation: The story's central lesson is that diligence and careful planning protect us from danger. The third pig's willingness to work hard saves not only himself but his brothers as well.

Consequences of Laziness: The first two pigs suffer because they take shortcuts and choose play over work. The tale teaches children that cutting corners may seem appealing but can have serious consequences.

Unity and Family: Despite their different choices, the pigs remain loyal to each other. The brick house shelters all three, emphasizing that family bonds and cooperation can help us overcome threats we couldn't face alone.