Katie and Wilbur's piglets had grown over the weeks and it was the last day of nursing. Katie sighed and nuzzled her babies. "Mommy? Why you look so sad?" Emily asked. "Because you little ones don't need my milk anymore. Your siblings will be sold to other farms and we may never see them again." Katie sniffled. Wilbur came over and nuzzled his mate, "I know, honey. I'm sad, too. But you know Homer will find them good homes for go to." Katie sniffled and nuzzled back, "I'll miss our babies so much." She cried into his chest. Wilbur sniffled a bit and licked her head.
Homer and Lurvy came with the slops for them. Homer sighed at the sadness of his pigs and pet them, "I know it's sad, but I'll find your little ones good homes. I can't control whether or not they'll be fattened up for their meat, but I know good farmers that could use young pigs for their farms." He said. Katie whined sadly but slowly nodded. "Mama? What's meat? And why would we be fattened up?" One of her sons, Aron asked. She sighed, "My darlings, being a pig is great, but there are dangers that come with it. Many of us pigs are fattened up to be eaten." The piglets squealed and his under her.
Wilbur nuzzled his children, "Now Mr. Zuckerman is gonna make sure you all go to good people. No matter where you go, your mother and I love you all so very much." The young pigs sniffled and nuzzled their mother and father. Katie sniffled and nuzzled her children, "So very much, my darlings." Homer sighed and pet Katie and Wilbur. He didn't want to separate their family, but he has no room for all the piglets when they grew up. Today Katie and Wilbur's piglets would be sold.
Homer called up the farmers he was selling the piglets to. He made a deal with them that Katie and Wilbur would be allowed to see them whenever they wanted. Hopefully that would make things less painful and sad for his prized pigs. Katie saw the men come, she got her piglets behind her. All but Emily were being sold. Homer told them all that the runt was off limits. The runt bore a resemblance to Wilbur, just with more feminine features.
The men smiled, "They're fine young pigs, Homer. We expected nothing less from your famous pig." Homer nodded. "But why make that deal with us? Most pigs don't even care where their piglets go when sold." Another one asked. "Katie and Wilbur love their piglets to the point they would surely be depressed if not given the opportunity to see them grow up and start failing of their own." Homer said. "Wanna keep your breeding pigs happy, eh?" Another one said. Homer nodded.
Katie sniffled and nuzzled each of her piglets before they were taken away to all the other farms. Wilbur shed a few tears as well, also nuzzling them. The two pigs just couldn't believe they had to say goodbye to their children. It felt too soon for them, but they knew they couldn't stop it from happening. "I hope those men treat our babies well." Katie sniffled. Wilbur nuzzled her, "I hope they will, too." Both parents cried for their babies and felt Emily nuzzle them, "Me too." She said.
A little while later, Katie and Wilbur were snuggling with Emily. When Lurvy brought the slops, Katie and Wilbur were too sad to eat. Lurvy supposed he could understand their sadness and pet them, "Poor pigs." He said. "It's one of the things with being a farmer, Lurvy. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions like this." Homer said. He then noticed a stray wolf pup that must have been left behind by its pack. He came over and noticed it was still young and needed to nurse. He carefully picked up the pup and placed her near Katie's belly.
The mother pig oinked curiously, but felt the pup begin to nurse from her. She softly smiled and gently licked the pup, "What's your name, dear?" "Mercy." The pup replied. It was a girl. "What happened to your pack?" Wilbur asked. Mercy sniffled a bit with angry eyes, "They left me behind." "Oh Wilbur, the poor darling needs someone to look after her." Katie said. Wilbur nodded, "Well we do have plenty of room with just us and Emily in our pen. I don't see the harm in adopting a pup."
Homer softly smiled, "I knew Katie could convince Wilbur to adopt the pup. She's a good sow and has strong maternal instincts." He then gently pet his pigs, "I'm sorry I had to sell your piglets, but your pen would be cramped if I didn't. Please try to understand." Katie sniffled and nodded, gently licking his hand. She was sad but understood why it was necessary to sell her babies. Wilbur nuzzled Homer's hand. He too, understood the reason for selling his piglets and also forgave Homer.
Katie got up after Mercy was done nursing and went to the trough to eat with Emily and Wilbur. The three pigs began to enjoy the delicious slops. Katie kept an eye on Mercy while eating, just to make sure she didn't run off anywhere and get hurt. The farmers in the county would view the pup as bad luck or some other nonsense. Katie felt motherly love for the poor pup and it broke her heart that her own families had abandoned her. The mother pig nuzzled the pup, "You're safe here, darling. I know I'm not your real mother, but I'll protect you and I love you, sweetie."
Mercy nuzzled back and licked her, "I love you too. I'm not ready to call you mom yet, but I know I'll get there. Thank you for accepting me into your little herd. I like it here." Wilbur softly smiled, "We like having you here, little one." He licked her head. Even Emily was glad to have a sibling to play with, "Yay! I'll have someone to play with again!" The young pig jumped for joy, being careful not to accidentally get Mercy as she ran around happily. Katie softly smiled. No one could ever take the place of her babies in her heart, but Mercy had a special spot in said heart as well.
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Wilbur's Unexpected Pen Mate
FanfictionI've loved Charlotte's Web as a kid and thought it would be nice if Wilbur had a mate. he deserves to be a mate and father. in my story he will have a mate and eventually piglets.
