The Conceited Pig

"The Conceited Pig" by Anonymous is a story from the 1800s about Wilful, a piglet whose pride and nosy demeanor create problems for everyone around him. The story looks at the ideas of being too proud, not listening to instructions, and the bad things that can happen when you dismiss good advice. One night, Wilful gets scared by some sounds and decides to sneak out of his pigpen against the wishes of his family. Along the way, he meets animals like Jack the donkey and Miss Peck the hen, who try to make him see how silly and stuck-up he's being. Wilful doesn't listen and instead, makes his way to the Queen to tell her the stars are falling. Sadly, he is tricked by a stranger and ends up in a dangerous situation. The story warns young readers about the pitfalls of being too confident and highlights the importance of paying attention to the wisdom of elders, as Wilful's arrogance results in a troubling predicament.