Harley Wilkens had never owned a pig before. In fact, he never owned any pet. This was a continuous argument with his mother. He was just a high school teen who was getting ready for college, and he wanted to become a veterinarian. If he had a pig, he could study its behaviors, learn about the body parts and what noises it makes when hungry, mad or curious.
Tommy Flanders was Harley’s best friend since first grade. They did everything together. Tommy was trying to decide what to do with his pig – Bessie, while he was off at college. Harley thought and thought of how to help his friend out.
“I know” Harley stated, with a big grin on his face, “I will take the pig off your hands”
“You are crazy” Tommy said, trying not to sound surprised, “Your mom will never go for that. You are getting ready to leave for college, she never let you have even a goldfish and she definitely would not want to take care of it while you are off to school. I am not sure I want to give Bessie up. Why do you want a pig?”
“I am going to be vet. I think Bessie would be my perfect pet. I just want the pig.”
The two teens went round and round. Tommy finally decided that Bessie was not going to be cheap. He would make Harley give something up, just as he had to give something up and that was Bessie the pig. Finally, the boys decided that “Babe Ruth” Baseball card would be an even trade for Bessie.
As much as Harley was ecstatic about owning his first pet, his mother Sarah was equally horrified. The look on her face showed how much she disapproved of Harley bringing a pig into their lives.
“What are we going to do with a pig? Where are we going to keep it?” she stated
“Mom, mom, I swear that I will take care of her. We can keep her in the back yard. I will build a fence and I will take care of her”
As reluctant to give in to her son, Sarah, finally agreed. However, even though promises Harley made that day to take care of the pig, and Sarah agreeing that he could keep it, still did not end the continuous arguments and dismay. Frustration and disagreements were experienced on both sides.
Then the day came for Harley to go away to college to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian. As you can guess, the discussion on where Bessie was to go went as followed:
Sarah: “We can sell her to be slaughtered”
Harley: “No”
Sarah: “We can sell her to a pig farmer”
Harley: “No”
Sarah: “Then what are you going to do”
Harley: “I will take Bessie to school with me.”
Of course, the arguments and debates continued, but in the end, Harley took Bessie to college with him, and she stayed at the Alpha Omega Fraternity House. The other college boys including his best friend Tommy, thought it was the coolest Frat House on Campus. No one else had a pig. So, Bessie became the mascot, and everything was great.
By the time graduation arrived, not only was Bessie the favorite of the Frat House boys but the entire assembly of college students including the professors, faculty and other staff members. Bessie was likable, enjoyable and always where the action was. In fact, the frat boys helped out in not only convincing the chancellor and president of the school to allow Bessie to Graduate with Harley, but they did pitch in to buy a cap and gown.
Yes, Bessie walked graduation along with Harley, Tommy and the rest of the frat boys. Everyone cheered her on, even Sarah who sat amongst the other family and friends of the graduating students. Bessie was a hit.
After the ceremony the big question was “What are you going to do with Bessie now?” Sarah held her breath, she just knew that she was taking Bessie home with her. She dreaded the thought of taking care of the pig and visions of her entire house and yard being in shambles.
It was surprise to all when Harley stated to the frat boys in front of his friend Tommy, mother, and parents of the other frat boys. “Bessie, the pig is staying at “Alpha Omega" as your mascot, as for me I am heading off to my new life, my new career and my new adventures…. And with that Harley rode off on his brand-new shiny Harley Davidson “HOG” into the sunset.
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