Pet Love Story - Memoirs of a Pig - A Social Commentary

The first experience I had with pet love was back when I was a child. This was a story that I had written previously about that experience. Many years later, the story brings fond memories back. Taking a moment back in memory lane; revisiting first pet loves are always so heartwarming.

I had written the story with changes adopted from the movie Babe in mind. The prevailing theme of Babe was "The Little Pig that Could". One of my all time favorite childhood movie. Its a movie that adults and children will enjoy equally. It won many awards including an Oscar for best visual effects. It was nominated for many awards in 1996, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Art Direction, Best Writing, Screenplay based on Material Previously Produced or Published. On a side note, check out this year's Oscar nominations for 2012.

I have always stayed true to my belief, as far as I could remember, even as a child, that all creatures are equal. Thus, they should all be treated equally with empathy much like humans. Just because animals can't speak; we should not neglect them. My empathetic values was imprinted in me by teachers back home on the island. I could revisit a few occasions where I had shown kindness to animals. However, these isolated situations are not even close to this one particular occasion. This particular act of kindness stands out in my memory, and whenever I think about it; I feel proud of myself and for my act of kindness. I showed a great amount of kindness to an animal that many people may consider to be rather disgusting - a pig! However, for me, the little pig meant more than a great feast on Christmas day. It meant the world to me. I am sure you will agree.

One gloomy afternoon, I was walking with my parents through a crowd of town folks dressed up for the new year carnival. I saw so many people pass by with dogs and parrots, moving hastily towards and away. They all seemed to be chattering. I was fortunate as a child to encounter animals at my eye level; not something I could say for adults. Maybe, that was for the better.

I wondered strolling along how great it would be like to have my very own pet. A pet to come home to and cuddle up with. As I was thinking that very thought; me eyes fixated itself on crowd of farmers and locals. They surrounded a man on a chair yelling at the top of his lungs, "Come weigh the pig". Immediately, I asked my parents if I could see what the fuss was about. They refused at first calling it nonsense. Finally, after much persuasion, they gave in and let me see the pig. My father had my hands grasped tightly while he lead me towards the crowd. We managed to get to the front of the crowd, annoying the folks in the process.

I was speechless when I arrived. I could not help myself and I jumped up in joy. This was the first time that I had been this close to a live pig. I was ecstatic. Of course, I had witnessed pigs from afar and I had seen them on many occasions on television. My favorite pig had been porky pig, in the cartoons and since then, I adored pigs.

I refused to stop jumping with joy so much so that my mom had to put my legs to rest. She grasped my hand and asked me to settle down. The man on the chair, witnessing the commotion, called me over, "come here kid and weigh the pig". I nodded and looked at my parents for approval. They nodded with a gasp and let my hands go. I gently lifted the pig that was handed to me. I placed the pig against my face. I felt an immediate connection with this little pig. It was as if I had known this pig all along. As if we had a destiny to be together. I stared at the gentle creature for a few more seconds and thought to myself how adorable the pig was. I loved the little fellow. He seemed to have a personality all his own. Pigs, I had always seen them as cute and funny looking. They made ridiculous noises that made you laugh out loud. I lifted the pig up further and made a guess at his weight. The man smiled at me and told me, "Kid, maybe you gonna win this piggy some day".

The following day, during night time, I convinced my uncle and aunt to take me to the festivals again. It was a week long celebration. I saw the pig again, but enclosed within fences. I walked close to the pig and let my hand out. He made a funny noise that made me laugh again. It wasn't even a minute before my uncle grasped my hand and yelled, "Don't you touch that filthy thing again, you hear". I nodded in resistance. He pulled me off my feet and as he did, I could not resist, but take one last glance at the innocent pig. The pig was left all alone in the night. It probably felt as miserable as I was feeling that very moment.

That night, I thought about that little pig. I knew that it wouldn't be wise to even think about having a pig in the house; never mind a pet. Though I knew there was no use thinking about the lonely pig ; I couldn't help myself. And as a result, I stayed up late that night thinking that the pig did not deserve to be confined to a small space. It didn't do anything wrong and so "Why was the pig away from his family?"

The next day I did manage to wake up early. Miraculous indeed. I woke up my grandfather and pleaded with him. I asked him to take me to the carnival again. At first, he brushed me off like a lion would his cub. His response was always, "I am not up to it". However, seeing that I was persistence, he finally gave in. He grumbled while he tired to keep up to my pace.

I dashed out to the older man in the carnival. He was still holding the same pig. I stared at the old man's dirty clothes for a while. I wondered what the man would do if you could not sell the pig. Perhaps, he was selling the pig, because he could not afford to feed and clothe himself. Suddenly, I felt a tap against my back. Grandfather gestured towards his watch; and realizing that my time was running short, I burst out, "How much you selling this pig for?". The older man smiled at me with one side of his cheek hesitant to move alongside the other. The old man said, "Son, this pig is not for sale. You have to win it." Grandfather had a hearing impairment and so he had trouble listening to words that were not spoken directly to him. He learned well from the movement of the lips. It never bothered him though. He was able to carry on the best he could with whatever he had at his disposal. He was a very grateful man.

I departed from the carnival with my head to the floor. Grandfather had a puzzled look on his face as he did not understand why I had came to see the pig. He asked what was wrong with me. I did not say anything. He knew that his grandson was heartbroken. He walked beside me silently, holding onto my hand and pressing onto my shoulders from time to time. He realized that I needed a few minutes for myself. After a few minutes, he talked about other things that crossed his mind. Things that were in no relevance to the situation at hand. He talked about the trees and his stories of being a post man at the village.

The next day, my father called out to mother, "You won't believe what arrived in the mail". Mother was busy with the dishes and did not respond. Overhearing the conversation, I blurted out, "The Pig". My father laughed at me and said, "Yes boy, we won the pig". He then mumbled to himself, in a voice I couldn't hear. "What a feast for Christmas."

The next day, father told me to go inside while I sat on the front porch. That afternoon, I walked into the barn and I was furious at what I saw. Father had tied the pig to a long and narrow pole. I confronted father that evening. I stayed at the barn and refused to come in unless the pig comes inside. Father was furious. He raised his voice and said, "This is the last time, come inside. Your food is still at the table." However, I did not bulge. He then lifted me off my feet and carried me inside. We were not on speaking terms that evening.

The next day, mother brought some left over food for the little pig. She then left, saying "You gonna become a fat little pig you". I watched the pig eat after mother left the barn. The following day, I took over the responsibility of feeding the pig. Mother was hesitant at first, but she let me feed the pig as she saw that I was careful.

One afternoon, our teacher sent us home early. I wanted to spend some time with my friends, but I felt that I needed to be there for my friend at home. I ran home and fed the little pig and played with him for a while. I washed my hands and walked back to the house. I stopped abruptly at the corridor. I heard mother and father argue about the pig. Father preferred pork chops while mother considered a hot pork roast. It was then that I realized their intentions. I thought the pig would be one with the rest of the farm animals. I was devastated. That night, I thought seriously about what I should do. I knew that I wanted him as a pet. He had such a great personality. However, if he stayed here, it wouldn't be long before he becomes dinner. Instead, the pig belonged to his family in his natural environment.

I had to think fast, because my parents had intentions on having the pig the following morning. I decided to do the unthinkable. I decided to set the pig free. I knew that I was doing the right thing. It definitely felt right; except for the fact that I was doing it without my parent's consent. That night, I quietly stepped out of my room. I walked across my parents room and reached for the front door. I was careful to not wake them up. When suddenly, I heard the door creak. I quickly hid behind the kitchen door and waited for what seemed like a century. Father was having his midnight snack. I was not aware of this before. Father was always a disciplinary man. He was particular that we always eat on time. Finally, father left the kitchen, but I was worried that Father may pay my room a visit. I quickly pulled the front door open and dashed outside into the night. I heard the front door make a slight sound. I gasped. It was so dark outside, barely lit. My hands began to tremble. I was overwhelmed with fear. This was the first time that I had been alone outside in the dark. I kept telling myself, the words of God, until I got to the barn. I untied the rope from the little pig's leg and lifted him up in my arms; while mud dripped from his body.

He then suddenly shook his tail and made that funny noise again. I had trouble holding him, but managed to keep him still. I had my hands wrapped tightly around his waist, as he shook and turned. I carried him gently towards the entrance of the woods. I knew from memory that I had seen a pig in the woods once. I glanced at him, one last time; and set him free. I watched as he ran into the bushes and vanished from my sight. Tears rolled down my cheek. I heard his footsteps for a while until it was all, but gone. I could hear the silence of the night. Every step I made seemed to have a sound of its own. I walked back to the house and slid underneath my blanket. I thought of the beautiful stars that I saw that night. I thought of that pig reuniting with his family in the woods. The thought brought a smile to my face. It was heartwarming.

The following morning, my parents were very upset. They had invited our relatives over for a feast. They were waiting in the living room. Father felt humiliated at having lost the pig. He finally confronted me that afternoon, "Do you know anything about the whereabouts of that pig. He seemed to have miraculously untied himself last night. Can you imagine. Son?". I said, "Sorry, father...I". Father, interrupted me and said, "You don't have to say sorry. Its not your fault. We just have to do without". I nodded. Father, probably knew I had something to do with it. However, nothing was said about it. I think Father also felt guilty as he knew I was very fond of the pig as a pet. Father had spoken to grandfather. I heard that from grandfather himself.