The Three Pig Brothers

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Once upon a time, there were three pig brothers who had already become of legal age. Upon the time that each reached the age of twenty-one, their mother - a widow - gifted each with the sum of ten thousand dollars, and sent them off into the world.

Five years had passed since the youngest pig - Bernie, had turned of drinking age, and this he did with gusto. His belly was bloated and he suffered constant flatulence due to the large consumptions of ale.

On this, his twenty-sixth birthday, they had all gathered to celebrate merrily in the eldest brother's stately home. Brian, the eldest had invested wisely his mother's gift received just fifteen years before. He had multiplied many times that initial amount with his savvy investments, and shrewd business sense. He had created a level of wealth which was impressive for such a young pig.

With this wealth, he had custom built a handsome home, construed of bricks. In his garage, he had several late model cars, and in his closet the finest garments that money could buy.

They ate with gluttony as the extended table heaved with the weight of succulent roasted meats, a stuffed golden turkey, large Idaho potatoes with clouds of sour cream, and rivulets of drizzling real butter overflowing, over a bed of melted cheddar cheese. The sumptuous feast assaulted the senses with the tempting aromas.

A plethora of pastries adorned each corner, along with wines, ale, and chocolate truffles, so delicate, they melted on contact with the warmth of the tongue.

Only the middle brother, Michael, abstained from over indulging, and ate moderate amounts of everything after thanking above for this bounty. He ate a bit of everything, except the redolent and succulent meats.


-"Come on now! Eat up brother! Eat to your heart's content!" urged Brian, as Michael sat to contemplate the feast, while nursing a cup of green tea.

-"No thank you, Brian. I have had enough. It is a lovely feast, and you are very generous."

-"Yeah, thank you Brian." Bernie spoke while he masticated a stretch of flesh, and unexpectedly, his body released a nefarious odor resembling in its essence, rotten eggs - although silent in its manifestation.

-"You only live once Michael, why not loosen up a little on such a festive occasion? Here have some more wine!" Brian slapped Michael on the back, while he repleted his wine glass to the brim.

-"I beg to differ bother, although this is not the time nor the place to speak of such things. There is always tomorrow to indulge in this feast. I will take a Tupperware home with some of the goods displayed - if you don't mind." Michael responded.

-"No, by all means, do so. Although I do mind your uptightness even in such a merry occasion. I just don't get you brother, and perhaps I'll never will. Look at you!" Brian's tongue loosened thanks to the over indulgence of wine. -"You have practically nothing to your name. The money our dear mother gifted you with, you have blown on trips to far away places. And you live in a house made of sticks, which any day the wolf could destroy.

I just don't get you." Brian said as he shook his head sideways, and then drank more wine, while some spilled on his fancy white shirt.

-"That is a shame bother. It is true that I've spent my money in travels to faraway and magical places. I've met, and made lifelong friends, and learnt and adopted different philosophies.

I have weaved a tapestry of rich memories, and lessons which I have learnt whilst traveling. Those invaluable lessons, given by different masters I've been privileged to have met on those introspective journeys.

While you on the other hand, live for work and to make more money, one could say that avarice owns you brother. You don't even travel, too afraid that your servants and employees will rob you." Michael said with kindness, though laced with frankness.

-"Look here brother, money makes the world go around. With it I can marry the girl with the loveliest tail. I have a solid home to raise in my future sons. I have a solid financial base, and a secure future." Brian said in a belligerent tone.

-"Yes brother, I don't doubt that you can marry the lady with the curliest pig tail, but if your union is based on material acquisitions, would it withstand a long-term illness, a change of fortune, or an unforeseen handicap?
You are so materialistic that you base your future union, and the basis of your potential family on a barter of goods, for good looks, and not on true love!

I love you bother, I wish that you would see that if you don't nourish your spirit as well as your bank accounts, you are not indeed building on a secure future, for your soul!" Michael dictated.

-"At least I have something to offer a lady pig! And you brother? Will you live happily on carrots and lettuce? Will only love sustain you?" Brian taunted him.

-"Well, actually yes. I am vegetarian and I would hope that she would be one too. Although, if she is not, I will respect her selections. As to your impertinent question, yes, I do believe that true love will endure, no matter what!"

-"Oh come on guys, don't start this life philosophy shit! It's my birthday! So what if Michael blew away his money on trips? I did too, just on broads, marijuana, and booze! Life is too short not to enjoy it. I too have weaved a tapestry of unforgettable memories of memorable lays. Oh, wait, I don't recall all of their names. And just for the record, I am quite content to live in my pre-fabricated plastic house." Bernie said this, while he punctuated this with a reverberating burp.





To be continued...