The Biblical Principles of the Three Little Pigs

The Big Bad Wolf, Alive and Well; The Biblical Principles of the Three Little Pigs

(June 25, 2010) (Added to and revised Aug 23, 2021)

While teaching my reading group one day, the lesson was on character and theme with the text of The Three Little Pigs. Strange, I thought. What does The Three Little Pigs have to do with our selection?” As I continued, I realized that although there was no connection to the story, there was an excellent lesson to be learned.

The lesson began by asking the students how an author gives us clues about who a character is. What do they believe; what is their work ethic; what is their life ethic or plan?

Sometimes authors spend a lot of time describing a character: What they look like; how they dress; how they talk; what their hobbies are, etc. But others let their actions speak for themselves.

The re-teller of The Three Little Pigs (because this story is so old, the original story is hard to find) has a different way of describing or cluing us to the character of the character. No matter who the re-teller, or which version, you choose the characters and theme usually remain pretty close to the same. The main characters are the three pigs and the big bad wolf. There are usually a few minor characters thrown in here or there to add to the entertainment factor.

The first of these minor characters is Mother Pig. Now, although a minor player, she is invaluable. Mother Pig has raised them, nurtured them, and tried to teach them to be productive citizens. We meet her at the end of their raising and see that she feels they have learned all they can (all that she has to teach them), and she sends them out into the world to make it on their own.

Now the pigs, like most siblings, choose to follow different paths in life, each going in different directions. The first pig sets off. He needs a place to stay, shelter for the night, and home to start his life. When planning, we see little concerned with anything but a place to play. He wants something that he can throw up quickly and get on with living his life. Enter another miner character. Some stories show a peddler, a merchant, selling bundles of sticks. Need a new house? Top-quality sticks. Easy to tie. String included with every bundle. Sounds good? Everything you need to build in one bundle. Easy to follow directions. Put it together in under an hour. House by dinner time. The first pig buys the deal, done before dinner. A roof over his head and time to do whatever he wants.

The next little pig sets off on his path much the same as his brother. But instead of sticks, the peddler sells him a single bail of straw. Cool in the summer, warm in winter. You know the pioneers used straw for insulation. And before dinner, he too was ready for relaxation, fun, and enjoyment, what life is all about.

Finally, we see the third little pig. Now unlike the others, this little pig is concerned about the long haul. The third little pig is planning for next year and not just tonight. He plans, researches, draws detailed plans, then builds. He has researched which building materials will withstand time, weather, and other problems. He decides on bricks. He buys the best and works long and hard to assure his house will last to become his home, not just a shelter. When he has finished, and only then, he stops and relaxes. Knowing proudly, it was a job well done.

Now let me introduce you to our last main character. The main character of this book is The Big Bad Wolf. His friends call him BB for short. And he has more than you would think, especially with a name like Big Bad. The reader is introduced to BB early in the story. Some stories have him lurking around at the beginning, watching to see if one of those fine, healthy young pigs might venture out on their own, where he could catch them and gobble them up. Others have him appear after the pigs leave the safety of their childhood home. Some have even had him dressed up in costumes, disguised as the peddler of the sticks and the straw. He gains easy access into their homes. There's nothing like the guy selling and installing your security system making a key so they can break in, kill you, and take all your stuff. All while you sleep peacefully in your safe, secure home. Others have him stand in the wings, lurking behind the trees and the hedges, waiting for the perfect time when the pigs are feeling comfortable. No matter, he is always shown as lurking in the dark, deceiving, and looking for a kill. Hence the name Big Bad wolf. He is not a good guy.

Now how does this relate to you? How is this simple tale relevant to our world? Well, if you look at the theme, you may figure it out. I had never thought a lot about it, but my book brought it out very plainly. Pay attention, plan for the future, and build a stable foundation for your life and when bad things happen, i.e. the BBW comes knocking on your door, you'll withstand all his huffing and puffing. Pretty good for a children’s story.

I had never looked at it in that way, but it does make sense. The first two pigs were careless, lazy. They did not plan for tomorrow, just worked for today. And they were unprepared and got blown away. The third pig planned, and his house stood firm. It made me think. So many of us are just like these pigs. Now don’t get all upset. I’m not calling anyone a pig. I see similarities in the characters to myself and others.

Now first off, pigs aren’t that bad. They might be rich, poor, or middle class. They might be anyone around you. But if we are foolish and build our lives on a shaky foundation, when the storms come, and they will, our lives will fall. The parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew (Matt 7:24-27), “The rains came down, the stream rose, and the wind blew and beat against the house.” Sound familiar? The Big Bad Wolf comes in many forms, not all tangible or visible to our eyes.

Stay tuned for another edition... coming soon.