The Old Woman and Her Pig

An old woman found a sixpence while sweeping her cottage. At the market, she bought a little pig. They walked home happily until the pig stopped beside a wooden gate and refused to move.

The gate's latch was stuck, and the pig would not squeeze beneath it. The old woman asked a nearby dog to guide him. The dog needed the gate opened before he could help properly.

A little mouse could reach the latch, but he was resting in his hole. The old woman asked the cat to call him out. The cat wanted a small saucer of milk first.

She went to the cow and explained the waiting pig, dog, mouse and cat. The cow could offer milk, but needed fresh hay. The old woman looked towards the farmer's tidy stack across the field.

The farmer gladly shared a bundle when she asked politely. She carried it back to the cow. Now the first favour was done, and the long chain of waiting helpers could finally begin moving.

After eating the hay, the cow gave a little milk. The old woman carried it carefully in a saucer. The cat drank, stretched and promised to fetch the mouse from his quiet doorway.

The cat called politely instead of chasing. The mouse emerged and heard the problem. He climbed the gatepost, slipped beside the latch, and lifted the small catch that larger hands could not reach.

The gate swung open. The dog walked through first and showed the pig the clear path. With room to spare and no need to hurry, the little pig finally followed him across.

The old woman thanked every helper, from the farmer to the smallest mouse. She reached her cottage before darkness fell. The pig settled into clean straw beside a bowl of fresh water.

Next morning, she brought apples for the cow and bread for the neighbours. The pig trotted happily through the now-working gate. One useful favour had encouraged another until everyone could get home.