Feeding the Hogs

The first wagonload of outer cabbage leaves hadn't even reached the hog lot before the first sow caught the scent.

She raised her head.

Sniffed once.

Then let out a long, excited grunt.

Within seconds another answered.

Then another.

Then twenty.

Before long the entire hog lot exploded into what could only be described as organized bedlam.

Deep grunts rolled into high-pitched squeals.

Young pigs darted between the older sows.

Heavy boars shoved their way toward the fence.

Every curly tail wagged furiously.

The entire sounder crowded shoulder to shoulder along the fence line.

Samuel stopped in the middle of the lane.

"What on earth?"

From every shop door workers stepped outside.

Jake wiped his hands on his leather apron.

Frank laid down his plane.

Isaac paused in the middle of shoeing a horse.

Rebecca laughed from the kitchen porch.

"They've smelled the cabbage."

The noise grew even louder.

Several apprentices covered their ears.

"I didn't know hogs could make that much noise."

Jacob chuckled around his corncob pipe.

"They're just getting warmed up."

The wagon rounded the corner carrying nothing but outer cabbage leaves.

The hogs completely lost what little dignity they had.

They squealed.

Grunted.

Snorted.

Rooted at the ground.

Several climbed halfway onto one another trying to reach the wagon first.

One youngster became so excited he tripped over his own feet and rolled head over heels into the mud.

The entire settlement erupted in laughter.

Buck Rogers shook his head.

"I believe they think they're starving."

Amos smiled.

"No."

"They're just making sure nobody forgets they're hungry."

The wagon stopped beside the fence.

The driver forked a generous pile of fresh cabbage leaves into the feeding trough.

Instantly the noise stopped.

Almost.

The only sounds now were contented grunts...

Crunching cabbage...

And the occasional satisfied snort.

Samuel looked around in amazement.

"That was the loudest five minutes we've had all week."

Rebecca smiled.

"And now listen."

The whole settlement grew quiet again.

Jake returned to his furnace.

Frank picked up his plane.

Isaac went back to Jody's hoof.

The women returned to slicing cabbage.

The apprentices quietly resumed their work.

Samuel watched the hogs happily devour every last leaf.

He smiled.

"So nothing goes to waste."

Jacob nodded.

"The people get the cabbage."

He pointed toward the feeding trough.

"The hogs enjoy the leftovers."

Samuel looked across the busy settlement.

"I believe every creature around here has a purpose."

Jacob tamped his corncob pipe against his boot.

"They surely do."

He smiled toward the now-contented hogs.

"Some just announce it louder than others."

The whole brickworks burst into laughter.