European FolkloreFamous Fairy Tales

The Three Little Pigs

Three pigs test their construction skills against a hungry wolf's powerful lungs.

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Illustration for The Three Little Pigs - a famous fairy tales European Folklore story with moral lessons

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Story Summary

Discover the classic tale of The Three Little Pigs. Follow three brothers as they build homes of straw, sticks, and bricks to outsmart a hungry big bad wolf.

Three little pigs set out into the world to build their own homes. The first pig, eager to finish and play, quickly built a house of straw. The second pig built his house of sticks, which was only slightly stronger. However, the third pig worked tirelessly, laying heavy bricks to ensure his home was sturdy. Soon, a hungry wolf arrived at the straw house, shouting, 'Little pig, little pig, let me come in!' When the pig refused, the wolf huffed and puffed and blew the house down. The pig fled to the stick house, but the wolf blew that one down too. Both pigs scrambled to the brick house. The wolf huffed and puffed with all his might, but the brick walls would not budge. Desperate, he tried to climb down the chimney, only to fall into a pot of boiling water. The wolf fled in pain, and the three pigs lived safely ever after in the house of bricks.

The Moral

Hard work and dedication pay off in the end, as shortcuts often lead to failure when facing life's challenges.

“I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in!”

Fun Fact

In the earliest versions of the story, the wolf actually eats the first two pigs, and the third pig eventually traps and eats the wolf in a stew.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of The Three Little Pigs?

The moral is that hard work and patience provide better security than taking the easy way out. It teaches that preparation and quality are essential for overcoming life's challenges.

Who is the author of The Three Little Pigs?

The story is a traditional folk tale of English origin. The most famous written version was published by Joseph Jacobs in 'English Fairy Tales' in 1890.

What were the three houses made of?

The first pig built his house out of straw, the second pig used sticks, and the third pig used bricks and mortar. Only the brick house was strong enough to survive.

What happens to the wolf at the end?

After failing to blow down the brick house, the wolf tries to enter through the chimney. He falls into a boiling pot of water set by the pigs and runs away forever.

Why did the first two pigs build flimsy houses?

The first two pigs were depicted as lazy or impatient. They wanted to finish their chores as quickly as possible so they could spend their time playing instead of working.

Is The Three Little Pigs a fable or a fairy tale?

It is both; it is a fairy tale due to its magical elements and folklore roots, and a fable because it uses animal characters to teach a specific moral lesson.