Once upon a time, there were three little pigs who went out into the world to build their homes and seek their fortunes.

The first little pig did not like to work at all. He quickly built his house of straw because that was the easiest way. Then he danced off down the road to see how his brothers were getting along.

The second little pig was building himself a house, too. He did not like to work either, so he decided to build his house out of sticks. That would be quick and easy.

Soon he was finished. The house made of sticks was not very strong, but at least his work was done. Now he was free to play.

What the second little pig liked to do best was play his fiddle. The first little pig played his flute while his brother played the fiddle and danced. Then the two went off down the road to see about their brother.

The third little pig was the serious one. He was building his house out of bricks. He did not mind working hard, and he wanted his house to be strong. For he knew that in the woods nearby lived a big, bad wolf who liked nothing better than to catch little pigs and eat them! So he worked and worked, putting each and every brick carefully in place.

The first two pigs laughed when they saw their brother hard at work. But the third little pig just ignored them and went about building his house. “You can laugh and dance and sing,” he called after his brothers. “But I’ll be safe and you’ll be sorry when the wolf comes to the door!”