King Georgie The First (ages 8-13)

King Georgie The First

King Georgie The First

We have to save Sally; save her from herself ! She's rescuing again; This time it's a baby pig. But where did it come from? How did it get here? The piglet had wandered onto their property. God was watching out for him, so he didn't get hit by a passing car or a truck. Did God also guide his steps here? How could he know where to go, where he would be safe ... and even loved?

Sally Bradley took him in and fed him with a baby bottle nipple attached to a 7-up bottle full of milk. She had a natural ability with animals. She knew she should move slowly and speak calmly and gently to them to gain their trust. So, that's what her family did too, her two children Randy and five-year-old Sammy Junior.

Sally put the little piglet into the dog pen with Shep (named that because he was a German Shepherd). The piglet sat on Sally's lap for petting every day. They would watch TV together and bond with each other. The kids from the nearby school came by to see him.

Like dogs, pigs wag their tails when they are happy or content; And like dogs, they can learn tricks. He put his hoof on Sally's knee, like Shep's did with his paw, to show affection and closeness. Like cats, they can be trained to use a liter box. Isn't that awesome?! They are considered one of the cleanest, smartest animals and like elephants, they don't forget.

Randy, who was eight, wanted to name the piglet Blackie because he was all black. Sally said: No, no, almost every black dog is named Blackie and some black horses too.

His mom told them: "You know, pigs are very smart. This one deserves a fancier name. Look at the way he stands, so proud and dignified. He could be royalty for all we know"! They all decided he was indeed, and Georgie believed it too. So, they declared his name to be King Georgie The First.

Georgie knew he was special. He was unlike any other pig. He preferred to eat Shep's food instead of his own, and he wouldn't go out in the rain. No wallering in the mud for him. He loved to play catch with Randy, and learned tricks very quickly.

King Georgie and Sally went for a walk every afternoon. He eventually outgrew his harness, but she had him on a leash, just in case there was a law about it. One time, he got away and was dragging the leash behind him.

Sally was surprised that pigs could run so fast. She had taught him not to cross streets ahead of her. So, he stopped at the first crossing. He stood by Sally's side until the cars had all passed.

The kids from the neighborhood formed a fan club and elected officers. The leader said he should be president, because he shared the same first name as Georgie. One of the other kids nominated the only girl for Vice President, because she was "the king's" biggest fan. They didn't have a Treasurer since there was no membership cost, and nobody had any money anyway.

The youngest member of the club said he wanted to take Georgie to school for "show and tell"; The kids in his class didn't believe he knew a pet pig (They didn't know he was royal either). Sally thought it wasn't such a good idea, so she didn't let him go.

But she had to admit he would be fun to show, with the cute tricks he had learned. He could turn water and fans on in the house and could climb stairs. Sally gave him daily massages, which he liked and looked forward to.

She would hide cookies in her pocket or even her purse, and he could always find them. Pigs can eat several times a day but, unlike some other animals, they never eat too much at a time. Still, with regular feedings, they can grow to be large like Georgie. He was very big, but he was healthy and fit, the way a king should be.

Since Sally was his friend, and Shep, the dog too, it did not seem possible that humans and dogs were enemies of pigs by nature! That's what Sally read at the library. But for Georgie and Sally
and Shep), that was not true.

Sometimes, Sally put a leash on Shep too and walked them both. The leashes had tags with their names and address on them. Shep usually got enough exercise running after the cattle and horses, also the ducks and chickens, and later all of the cats. They had many animals, only no other pigs.
Georgie pushed his snout on her pants leg when she felt a little down. He would also sniff her breath to tell if she was sick. Sally thought he might be like a "Service Animal". They are animals that help people when they are sick or need their help. It is a noble thing to do, but the king had an even bigger job ahead of him!

He grew and grew each day, an average of two pounds a day. Shep didn't know what to think. Before long, Georgie was too big for the dog pen or Sally's lap. He would knock Sally down, trying to get his daily petting.

Georgie was getting lonely for contact with his own kind. Having a loving human and a dog for companionship helped. But they still didn't speak his language. Pigs are social animals and need that kind of contact with other pigs.

Sally finally decided she should take Georgie to live with a farmer friend named Lawrence. He promised not to take Georgie to market to be killed; When the pig would become 7-8 months old, he would become the prize sire, meaning he'd be a daddy to many piglets. After Georgie's first week on the Lawrence farm, he wasn't eating or getting use to things; He missed Sally and the family. When pigs are sad, they have been known to cry real tears, and sometimes they even worry themselves to death. He wasn't socializing with the other pigs and was afraid of them.

They were rather mean. Because he was the new male pig at the farm, the largest boars tried to bully him. Some of the male pigs could be friendly, unless they were fighting to keep their place in the herd. Then, they could be downright dangerous.

The other pigs thought Georgie was stand-offish and uppity. He was use to play-wrestling with Shep, but he saw that these big boars actually wanted to hurt him ! So, he was scared at first. Most pigs have an urge to be "top hog", so they were rude to Georgie.

They didn't realize Georgie was raised thinking he was a dog. He and Shep were friends: They ate and lived and even barked together, each in his own way. And they both protected Sally and the kids.
Georgie could fetch a stick, something poor Shep never quite mastered. Shep hadn't been jealous of the king, because he got plenty of petting from the family too. In fact, he missed Georgie when he went to the Lawrence farm.

Farmer Lawrence called Sam and told him about the pig being so lonely. Sally was worried and decided to visit King Georgie. He was overjoyed and began eating immediately. He rubbed up against Sally's legs and sniffed the air, to sense their happiness. They had a good time together. She promised him they would call and check on him every day.

After that visit, she kept asking Sam about Georgie's welfare and was told he was fine. But Randy wasn't sure. One evening, they had pork chops for supper. Randy took one bite and refused to eat anymore. He said: "I know Georgie when I eat him"!

So, Sam made another trip to the Lawrence farm, this time with Randy and little brother Sammy. There was King Georgie in all his splendor, with his shiny black coat and weighing 500 pounds!

Of course, he no longer wore any of the clothes Sally use to dress him in, a cute little outfit for a piglet, even a royal one ... a blue shirt and jean shorts. When Georgie was little, Sally had wanted to buy him a straw hat and baby booties, two pair for his four feet. But thought maybe that was going too far. The pig could get spoiled, and maybe become unruly.

King Georgie knew he had outgrown Sally's lap a long time ago and felt a little sad. At the same time, he was aware of how grown and "majestic" he had become. Sally and the family missed him, but were very pleased he was doing so well.

He weighed more and shined more than the other pigs. Because he also was smarter than them, he didn't have to really fight them in order to take over as their leader. (The largest pig ever was more than l000 pounds, and was over nine feet long from the tip of his snout to the base of his tail.)
Georgie's fame reached far beyond the Lawrence farm. Farmer Lawrence took King Georgie to the State Fair last month. Before was the real king, he was the prized sire on the farm. He won the top prizes and became even more famous ! The farmer bought a jeweled crown, and placed it on Georgie's head. That is when King Georgie became the rightful ruler over all of his domain.

Randy picked up a long stick from the yard, pretending it was a Knighting sword. He held a big mock ceremony to honor the pig. He touched the sword to the top of Georgie's shoulders, and dubbed him "Sire King Georgie The First", The Right Honorable King over all of Pigdom. He would be respected all over the world!

The barnyard suddenly became a Fantasy Land, where Georgie was really a king and now he and the other animals could talk!! The Vet Doctor was the only other human who knew besides Farmer Lawrence.

Randy told the other pigs to bow down before Georgie, and spoke to them harshly when they would not. The sows and piglets, at least, should bend their knee to His Majesty. After all, he would soon have to chose among them for his queen.

After a little while, they all showed respect to the king. Only the two biggest boars, hated King Georgie, and were angry that he was the new ruler. Georgie knew, sooner or later, they might make trouble. But the king was sure he could handle any problems that came along.

In the boy's mind, he imagined a big ceremony. Instead of a pig pen, Randy saw a Royal Castle. There was a guard pig that had a tall, black fur hat with the gold strap under his chin and a red uniform with shiny buttons, standing at attention outside the gate when the king passed by.

He imagined two more pigs, in uniforms, crossing their swords over King Georgie's head as he entered the iron gate; And another pig bowed down and said: "Good morning Sire". A girl pig, one of his subjects, curtsied politely and giggled.

As Georgie got closer to the mating age, he was challenged by the other big pigs for the right to choose among the girl pigs to have as his mate. He found himself keeping company with one special sow that he wanted as his #1 wife. Pigs have more than one mate. But Mya became his first and very favorite.

They would touch snouts and cuddle and chase each other around the barn yard. He knew Mya was not like any other, and he fell in love with her. They sang to each other as they nuzzled and chased each other around. She bit him gently on the ear. Georgie had never known that kind of closeness with another pig. It was very warm and wonderful. Now, he knew it for sure. Mya was his true love.

She became his mate and was soon ready to have a family. It wouldn't be long before Mya would have her litter of piglets. When Mya was getting ready to have her babies, she prepared a spot to lay down on. She lined it with straw, grass, sticks and other material.

One of the other lady pigs helped Mya prepare for her litter, helped her get dressed in the mornings, sang and danced and played a harp for her. She was called her "lady-in-waiting" to her. Mya, the queen, was very fond of her servant and friend.

King Georgie thought about Mya having a hard time giving birth to the piglets. They had to call the animal vet doctor to come and help her have her litter of piglets. Her precious son, Georgie The Second, was not breathing when he was born. The doctor put a suction mask on the piglet's nose to help him breathe. He lived, to fulfill his destiny of becoming the next king some day!

The piglets grew and each one developed their own personality. They didn't wear prince and princess crowns except the first-born son, Prince Georgie, as he got older. His brother, Richard was jealous and often tried to take the crown away from Prince Georgie. But that is a story for another time, another book.

One day, Mya, the Queen, greeted her husband and said: "Good morning my dear". They were now a real Royal Family! Mya wore a long white robe, with real pearls around her neck. She also had large diamond and ruby earrings and necklace and pin among other things. Georgie thought she looked lovely.

But she knew that jewelry and riches did not bring happiness. It was the joy of her family that meant more. Mya's name meant "great" and "beloved". Georgie said she was both great and loved.

One of the king's piglets got so excited to see his father that he tripped and tumbled over the king's long purple and white royal robe (worn over a fancy gold-threaded tunic). The piglet squealed: "Hello father, happy to see you". That was Tobias; His name means "happy". King Georgie answered his son, as he put his gold, jeweled crown back into position on his head.

Randy imagined all these things and more. He was pretending so hard that he thought he was in a palace with many pictures of King Georgie and Mya on the walls, and pretty porcelain wash bowls and pitchers around and valuable gifts from other kingdoms in far away lands.

Sally laughed at her son's sincerity. It was as though they were, indeed, among royalty instead of in a rather smelly barnyard. But perhaps Georgie WAS a real king after all. He wasn't dirty and dusty like the others. Also, he had a noble, stately presence and pride.

Georgie had a new role; Randy never worried about Georgie's fate again. The king and Mya had each other and their seven children and all was well on the Lawrence farm. Life was good; Life was a Royal Fantasy!

Sometimes, the grown pigs will attack the younger ones and kill them. So, when Georgie the Second went back to the Lawrence farm, Jonah warned Mya about the big boar's evil plans. She told her husband, King Georgie, and the fight was on !!

King Georgie The First hoped that he would have the strength to resist those angry pigs. He worried that they might hurt Mya and Jonah for warning him about their plans. Mya was concerned too, and she agreed that they must save Prince Georgie from this terror. She was confident, however, because King Georgie would be fighting on the side of right to save his son.

The trouble-making pigs came to confront Georgie and attack him. They screamed toward King Georgie, with their teeth gnashing. (They pushed with their shoulders) and had their tusks ready to gore him. But the king fought and fought until his strength was almost gone. The cowardly pigs finally gave up the battle, and Georgie The Second was safe!

After King Georgie defeated the two mean boars, the rest of the farm animals saw King Georgie as their defender and showed him honor. Mya took care of the king. She fed him bananas and fish to get back his strength. She treated his wounds in the only way she knew how, by licking them. She knew the saliva from her mouth would be healing.

The other farm animals were loyal to the king and wanted to protect him too. When coyotes
came around, all of the cows would form a circle that surrounded His and Her Highness, along with the cow's young calves. Coyotes can jump high fences, so they are dangerous. But the cows were big enough to protect the king and queen.

The king was grateful for the cows' protection, so he made them his personal guards. They didn't wear a uniform, like other royal guards. But they were good guards anyway! All of the farm animals were part of the king's Fantasy Land, so the were all able to talk. King Georgie thanked the cows for their support and help.

King Georgie The First was the king and his son would, one day, take his rightful place as Sire King Georgie The Second ! No evil bullies would ever change that!

He thought about how Farmer Lawrence had come one breezy Spring morning. His pickup truck was in Sally's driveway. Sally and her family knew it by its red color and one purple fender. Lawrence had been in an accident one time,and he got a fender from the junkyard. So, it didn't quite match the rest of his truck.

He had told them that Queen Mya had given birth to a litter. Pigs (at least royal ones) are not usually called Junior, so the little all-black piglet, King Georgie's son, was called Prince Georgie or Georgie The Second.

He had asked if the Sally's family would like to have him for a while. He told them they would need to send him back when he got about six to eight months old. This time, Georgie's "son" would have those four booties and the little straw hat.

Sally had learned since King Georgie left, that pigs need a variety of foods, and unlike dogs, it's okay to give him table scraps.
Randy had shown the piglet a couple of tricks that pigs have been known to learn, like to climb up a short flight of stairs, that Sam had made out of wood, and to walk across a wooden plank. Sally told Randy he'd better not let him fall; But Prince Georgie walked as sure-footed as his father. Large all-black pigs came from Great Britain and were brought to the United States. They are called Devons, named after the town they were from.

At the Lawrence farm, Georgie had developed a friendship with a pig named Jonah, who called the king "Your Majesty" and called Mya "My Queen". He liked King Georgie's other children too, but only Georgie The Second would take over the royal title as king one day, and wear his father's jeweled crown.

Some of the other pigs were friendly to him. But even though Jonah was much older, he was King Georgie's best and most trusted friend. Jonah was like the uncle that he never had, since Georgie had wandered away from his family soon after he was born. Pigs can find their way home from long distances. But he was happy at Sally's house, so he didn't want to find his birth home.

Life was good, but all was not well with Richard, son number two. While Georgie was away at Sally's house, Richard was trying to become his father's favorite son. He believed that the Vet Doctor had made a mistake, while he helped Mya have her litter. Richard was certain that he should have been born first, not Georgie.

He wanted to show the king that he was a strong leader. So, he chased his sisters away, yelling for them to get out, trying to be the boss. He didn't realize is, but he was confusing strength with rudeness. He also turned over the feed box, squealing in a loud voice to get attention.

He wanted to prove he should be king someday, so he yelled orders at his brothers, like the bully pigs that kept trying to fight the king over his leadership. He finally fought them, but to save Prince Georgie's life.

His father could see that Richard was acting as though he was better than everyone else, because he really felt he was not as good. Sometimes, a second child will try to be better than the oldest. He wanted to take Prince Georgie's place. Richard didn't want to do Georgies duties, he just wanted the attention.