I watched this video yesterday morning. It is of comedian, John Bunyan, telling the story of The Three Pigs as if it were told by Shakespeare. Some of the “Shakespearean” wording worth noting were:
- to erect for himself, an abode
- erected his domicile, starwood & garrish
- straw ensconced pig
- not by wit or whiskered jowl
- an exhale of gale proportions
It was interesting to hear such a familiar children’s story told in the English of Shakespeare. It surely put an entirely different spin on the story. To remind you of the story, here are the facts:
- three little pigs leave home to go find their fortunes
- their mother warns them, “Whatever you do, do your best because that is the only way to get along in the world.”
- each pig builds a house – one out of straw, one out of sticks & the last pig built his house out of bricks
- the end of the story finds that only the pig in the house of bricks is left standing
There are several lessons that can be learned from this familiar children’s fable:
- Listen to the advice from a parent. “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction & do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” (Proverbs 1:8 NIV).
- Work hard & do your best. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heeart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” (Colossians 3:23 NIV).
- Know the foundation you are building upon. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine & puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rains came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew & beat against the house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25 NIV).
- Know & be prepared for your enemy. “Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6: 13 NIV).
The way I read that is: YES, we can be the last pig, I mean the last man, the last woman – STANDING!
