Why Pigs Sleep in the Mud: A Norwegian Folktale

Award-winning storyteller Bill Gordh (Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence winner, National Association of Parenting Periodicals Gold Award winner) presents this folk tale live with no script, accompanied only by his own dynamic banjo playing.

Pig was tired of his living conditions and went to the farmer. Farmer said the pig should go to the judge, and whatever the judge ruled, the farmer would do. Pig went to court. The judge ruled that Pig could have what he wanted - to sleep on a mat and eat alfalfa.

The pig was afraid he would forget what the judge decided, and the judge suggested the pig sing, "Sleep on a mat, eat alfalfa food" until he got home. He sang it, but on the way, a clever fox heard Pig singing and decided to play a trick. The fox began singing, "Sleep in the mud, eat all awful food" from the bushes as Pig walked through the woods.

Without realizing it the pig wound up singing Fox's lyrics. When Pig came back to the farmer, the farmer asked for the judge's decision. Pig proudly and boldly sang out, "Sleep in the mud, eat all awful food". And that's the way it's been ever since.