The Great Escape of a Runaway Pig

Only one thought ran through his mind: must save my life.

Taking refuge in the sanctity of the nearest school grounds, he cowered beneath the bushes. Trembling with fear, he braced himself for what he thought was the inevitable. Those from whom he fled, intent to claim his life, were surely close behind. And as his rescuers would relay that in his eyes was a reflection of his belief, they would complete their mission.

Pigs, we know, are beings of great intelligence, ones who feel and understand more than they are often given credit for. Like us, they tremble before violence and fear pain and suffering. And all dear Howie could do in that instant was wait. His confusion was palpable, as his thoughts became a whirlwind of despair and hope that in that darkest of places, salvation may find him.

And it did.

As it was the hands of kind-hearted rangers, not his killers, that gently ushered him into their vehicle and ferried him to the local pound. Here, the scent of danger no longer hung thick in the air. Replaced it was by the aroma of fresh and tasty treats.  No more would harsh words and cruel deeds touch him; instead, they were traded for gentle belly rubs and affection. With each morsel devoured, a newfound joy found Howie. 

Perhaps it was gratitude, or maybe just the resilience of his spirit, but here, Howie blossomed into the pig we now see—a pig whose eyes shine bright with happiness and whose voice is filled with jovial good cheer.

Yet, Howie’s story is one that transcends his own escape from a bleak destiny – a fate we do not wish to contemplate. It speaks to a universal truth that lies at the heart of every living being: a longing to embrace all the world has to offer, a yearning to find a place where one can be safe, and an instinctual urge to sprint toward a brighter tomorrow. 

These are truths that we must hold close and never let escape.