Every kid should know The Three Little Pigs story. It teaches children a valuable life lesson: hard work in the right direction will yield positive results. Additionally, through this short story, children learn to navigate through life challenges and the importance of perseverance. In this blog, we will take you through the full story of The Three Little Pigs.
Origin of ‘The Three Pigs’ Story
The Three Pigs is a timeless tale cherished by generations. Various versions of the story have been passed down over the years. Its earliest known appearance is believed to be in Joseph Jacobs’s English Fairy Tales, published in the 19th century.
Characters of the ‘The Three Pigs’ Story
The tale follows three pigs and their encounters with the antagonist, the wolf, who represents challenges, hardships, and negativity in their lives. Each pig embodies a distinct personality trait. The first two display carelessness and laziness, while the third pig exemplifies diligence, foresight, and the rewards of hard work.
The Three Little Pigs Short Story
Once upon a time, there were three little pigs. They decided to build their own little houses! Each pig chose a different material to construct their home.
- The First Pig and His Straw House
- Second Pig and His Stick House
- The Third Pig and His Brick House
- The Big Bad Wolf Arrives
The youngest pig, eager to finish everything as soon as possible, built his house with light straw. Although it was easy for him to build his house, it was not particularly strong. Most importantly, he wanted to spend more time playing than building a strong home.
The second pig sought greater efficiency than the first pig while considering the overall energy he would expend. Therefore, he constructed his house using sticks. This lent some structural integrity compared to the straw house, but overall, it lacked strength. His desire to finish early and partake in leisure activities was also present.
In contrast to the other pigs, the third, undoubtedly the smartest, invested additional time and effort into constructing a stronger house made from bricks. Although it took him a lot of time and energy, he was focused on building a house capable of withstanding destruction and weathering all conditions.
Once, a wolf who appeared to be starved discovered a straw house that belonged to the first pig. Whereas there were no doors, he knocked and said the following words: “Little pig, little pig, come out so that I can enter.” Without hesitation, the pig retorted, “Not by the hair on my chinny chin chin.”
With little effort, the wolf was able to huff and puff, at which point the straw house fell apart. In a hurry, the first pig dashed towards his brother’s second pig’s stick house.
Without much delay, the wolf caught up to the second pig’s house and knocked on the door.
“Little pig, little pig, let me come in!” The second pig refused to open the door. However, the wolf blew the second pig’s house down; both pigs ran to their brother’s brick house. The wolf showed up at the third pig’s house and then knocked. “Little pig, little pig, let me come in!”
“No, not by the hair on my chinny chin,” said the pig confidently. “I know my house is strong.” The wolf tried to blow down the house, but the futile bricks were not budging. “I will destroy that wooden sack of bricks once and for all,” the wolf was furious. Swiftly, he made his way towards the chimney; furiously, he attempted to make the rest of the way in until he slipped. The rest of the wolf was just above the pot, full of hissing water. The wolf chose to bind the pot in flames and rest there. Waking up in a world of pain, now he truly had no choice but to run and never come back.
The two young pigs did indeed figure out their lesson, resolve within reason: hard work. Since that day they were safe in their joint brick fort and lived without issue.
The Three Little Pigs Story MoralThe moral of The Three Little Pigs story is straightforward: putting in extra time and effort is rewarded in the end. The story moulds children by teaching them:
- Effort counts: Shortcuts tend to be entertaining, but they do not guarantee safety or success, while working hard does.
- Planning and preparation are important: The third pig was smart and built a sturdy house to outwit the wolf.
- Teamwork and Learning: The first two pigs came to understand the importance of intelligence and effort and worked together to overcome their challenges.
A Twist in the Tale: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs Summary
In addition to the version we all know, the Three Little Pigs short story has a fun alternative named The True Story of The Three Little Pigs. This version by Jon Scieszka features the wolf as the main character.
In this rendition, the wolf, who calls himself Alexander T. Wolf, claims that he wasn’t being bad at all! He argues that he only wanted to borrow some sugar from his pig neighbours to bake a cake. Unfortunately, he had a terrible cold, and because of that, he accidentally sneezed so powerfully that the straw and stick houses shattered!
This absurd turn of events also encourages children’s laughter, making them ponder multiple viewpoints, make stories, and scintillate their imagination. It also helps introduce children to the concept that a single story can be viewed from many different angles.
Why The Three Little Pigs Story is Still Important Today
- Even to this day, the story of The Three Little Pigs is very important. Here’s why:In school, students understand that putting time into studies produces better results than cramming and preparing at the last minute.
- In careers, those who work hard and map out rough plans, similar to the third pig, tend to perform underground and succeed in the long run.
- In personal growth, a strong work ethic complemented by patience builds the foundation of a happy life.
Conclusion
The classic Three Little Pigs Story is perfect for children as it illustrates the value of effort, being smart, and persevering in the face of difficulty. Novice readers can begin with the original version, but the morals remain the same even with The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.
As parents, sharing such stories strengthens bonds with children and enables them to learn valuable life skills. So, when telling the story, remember to point out its morals and what the children can learn from it. Looking for stories with morals? Check out our blog, Top 5 Indian Folk Tales For Kids With Moral Lessons.
For more details on young children’s nutrition, learning, and development, visit EuroKids Blogs. Don’t forget to check out EuroKids Preschools for the first step in your child’s learning journey. Find your nearest EuroKids centre and give your child an incredible start!
