There are two kinds of American Pig.
The domestic American Pig lives in a designated enclosed space called a sty. The sty is built by The Farmer for the Pig and is “rent free”. There are many other Pigs living in the same sty. When the domestic American Pig moves into the sty it is immaculate. As other Pigs are introduced to the sty it becomes a foul-smelling, muddy -well- pig sty. The domestic American Pig doesn’t need big teeth because the slop thrown into the trough is already prepared for him. Some Pigs choke to death on The Farmer’s free food because of how they greedily gorge themselves. Sty Pigs are fat because all they do is eat, sleep and wallow in the mud.
The trough is the most popular place in the sty. Pigs crowd and push each other to eat the scraps doled out by The Farmer. The pigs don’t understand- nor do they care- that if it weren’t for them and the other farm animals there wouldn’t be any food on The Farmer’s table from which all they receive is scraps. The American Pig is satisfied to sate his personal hunger so he can go back and wallow in his free mud. Webster’s dictionary has some very unflattering synonyms for this Pig. These Pigs are not respected by the other farm animals who have to work on the farm. They are scorned.
The American Pig doesn’t realize the only reason he is being given free table scraps is to be fattened for the kill. The Farmer allows only a few selected Pigs to breed. Once born his piglets are taken to a nursery where they are raised and fed “properly” by The Farmer As the piglets grow they quickly become dependent on The Farmer for the “free” food at the trough. All they have to do to eat is push other pigs out of the way. At a time determined by The Farmer the domestic American Pig is herded down the slaughter chute. Surprised, the Pig asks himself “What did I do to deserve this?” The answer: absolutely nothing.
On the other hand the wild American Pig roams the woods freely. He forages for his own food. The wild American Pig is all muscle with razor-sharp tusks. He is feared and respected by the other wildlife. He goes where he wishes and eats what he chooses. He establishes his own turf to live in and defends it fiercely. Some wild Pigs die honorably defending their families and their turf. If he doesn’t die in battle, the wild American Pig marries a sow with whom they raise little piglets. He teaches his piglets how to forage for themselves and to recognize danger in its many disguises – especially to be wary of The Farmer. His piglets become mature, muscular, sharp-toothed and independent Pigs themselves. Since they were taught the necessary skills they grow up to establish and defend their own turf. The wild American Pig lives to a ripe old age and enjoys telling stories to his grandpiglets of the old days. He dies peacefully in his sleep on his own turf satisfied at having lived a full life leaving his progeny prepared to do the same.
