3 Little Pigs

A Story of Growing Up and Leaving the “Nest”

My three oldest, now college students, are moving out this month. They will be living in three different apartments, two local the other out-of-state. It has been great having everyone home for the summer! We have gone on a couple trips, they have accomplished goals and gained work experience. Now it is time for them to “go seek their fortunes.”

Ever since they were babies, I have told them the story of The 3 Little Pigs. Remember how it goes?

Once upon a time there were 3 little pigs. They were grown up and anxious to find their place in the world. They kissed their mom “Goodbye” and took off to seek their fortunes (get a job and build a home).

They all loved to play. The first piggy decided to build his house REALLY fast so he could get on making making music and dancing up a storm. As soon as he saw a guy selling straw, this first little piggy bought it for a great deal and put up a cute quick little house. “Now onto funner things,” he told himself, then played and danced the night away.

As soon as the second little piggy saw a guy selling sticks, he bought all the salesman had and built a slick little house lickety-split. “Now onto funner things,” he told himself, then played and danced the night away.

Now, the third little piggy was smarter than his brothers. He knew that the big bad wolf was out there and he wanted to be prepared. Even though it took a while, he found a guy selling bricks. This smart piggy spent his savings on these quality materials and took extra care and LOTS of time to build a sturdy strong house of bricks. Boy, he slept good that night!

Sure enough, the big bad wolf was on the prowl first thing the next morning. The wolf first came to a cute little straw house. He could smell a piggy right through the thin straw walls. “Little pig, little pig, let me come in!”

Shaking in his tired sleepy tracks the first little piggy said, “Not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin.”

“Then I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house in!”

“Whoooooooooooooosh!” Down went that house as easy as can be. The little piggy ran his little legs as fast as they could go to his brother’s house of sticks, but the wolf was right on his tail.

Knock, knock, knock. “Little pigs, little pigs, let me come in,” sneered the wolf, licking his chops.

“Not by the hair of our chinny-chin-chins!”

“Then I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll BLOW your house in!”

“Whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooosh!” AND that slick little house of sticks flew to pieces! The little piggies ran as fast as their little feet would carry them, straight to their smart brother’s sturdy house of bricks.

Blah blah blah – You know the rest… the wolf blowing himself blue, the pot of hot water on the fire, the burned tail of the wolf and his “Hoooowl!” all the way out of town. Those three little piggies were jubilant. They celebrated doing what they did best by singing and dancing, of course. “Whose afraid of the big bad wolf? the big bad wolf? the big bad wolf? Whose afraid of the big bad wolf? Tra la la la la!” THE END

But, it isn’t the end for my “3 Little Piggies.” It is only the beginning.

So, last night we had a family gathering. We started with a song and prayer and a story about little pigs going off to seek their fortune. We talked about how this story related to them. Duncan talked about the Four “S”s to balance in college, each are important: Study, Sleep, Socialize, Spiritual.

We expressed our gratitude and love to the kids (all five) and then each family member was invited to share their testimony (expressions of faith). Closing with a kneeling family prayer was the perfect finish….Hugs and kisses too, of course.

My “3 Little Pigs” are going off to seek their fortunes. Duncan and I have taught them truth, life skills, and how to work. Now the rest of the story is up to them.

My “Little Pigs” need to use their time and money wisely, stay grateful, keep their covenants and be smart. They need to guard themselves against “The Big Bad Wolf” which includes debt, discouragement, temptation, distractions, procrastination, lies and other bad influences.

I, their “Mommy Pig” will miss them, but am super excited to see how this semester turns out. Their futures are bright! Oh, how I love them!