Gwyneth Berry
Grade 8
Pigs: What’s the point?
Herding pigs is quite frustrating, especially when you are chasing them through the woods trying to herd them back to their pen. When we bought the swine, I was excited. They were cute little piglets that I could hold. Even though I enjoyed them when they were little, that didn't stop them from growing into big boring bulks. I was still required to feed them. I was paid, but going out in the morning before school, especially in the winter, is not what I consider entertaining or exciting any more.
Now, our yard runs behind two of our neighbors on the right, and then passes behind maybe four or five. Seven acres are woods and the house stands on one fenced-in acre. Our pigs are kept in the woods. When they broke out for their farthest and longest trip, they had wandered into somebody's back yard. Our next door neighbor was working for this man that day. He drove to our house and informed mom and me. Trevor was away. Dad was away. My other brother was away. Thus, my mom and I set out for a long trip.
Having herded two stubborn female pigs for a little more than an hour back and forth in our back woods taught me the tricks to keeping pigs moving . . . . . until they find water. If ever you need pigs back in their pen, poke them in the shoulder blades with something relatively sharp and pointy. Either that or you can look forward to ham for Christmas dinner!
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