My Friend Bacon

"The Pig, if I am not mistaken,
Gives us ham and pork and bacon.  
Let others think his heart is big,
I think it stupid of the pig."
-Ogden Nash
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This happened a long time ago, when the earth was green and the gods weren't as wary of humans.

One small sprite in particular, named Merel, especially liked humans.  She used to come to earth in the form of a blackbird, to spend time with us.

One day, as she was enjoying her morning flight, she came upon a dilapidated farm.  The poor farmer was sitting on a tree stump, his shovel thrown aside on the grass, his head in his hands.

"Dear Farmer," Merel crowed out, "Why are you crying?"

"Hoards of mice are eating my crops," The farmer lamented, "My children have nothing to eat!"

"Do not lament," Merel said, flying off, "I will help you."

She flew, thinking, until she spied a cat that was familiar to her.  Merel soared down, landed, and bowed her head, "Good morning, Cat."

"It is not a good morning," The cat replied, his head low, "I cannot find any food for my mate, and we have just had kittens.  My children have nothing to eat."

"Do not fear," Merel said, "I know where you can find food.  Do you know the Farmer who lives nearby?  There are plenty of mice on his farm, and he has a barn that is nice and warm.  You will be happy there."

"Thank you, my friend," The cat nodded, and went off to move his family.  Merel flew off to her home, amazed at her luck.

A few days later, Merel flew back to the farm, curious to see how things turned out.  He found the Farmer trying to till hard packed dirt.

"Good morning, Farmer," Merel said, landing on a fence-post.

"It is not a good morning," The farmer replied, "I thank you for sending the cat, who is sleeping in my barn after a long night of hunting.  But I don't suppose you know anyone who could help me till this hard earth, it has been baked by the sun and packed by the mice."

"I might," Said Merel, lighting again.  She flew to a field where she knew a strong ox lived.  Merel greeted him, "Good morning, Ox."

"It's not a good morning," Cried the Ox.  "I've no place for my mate or my calf to stay dry, and I smell rain on the wind."

"Do not fear, dear Ox," Merel said, "I know a place where you can stay, but you must work for it."

"I don't mind providing for my family," The Ox replied.

"The Farmer needs someone to help him plow his field, he is not strong enough on his own.  Go see him, you can work something out with him."

Merel flew back home, glad she was able to help so many people.  A few days later, Merel flew back to the farm to check up on their progress.  She found the Farmer searching for mushrooms.

"Good morning, Farmer.  You cannot feed a family on mushrooms."

"I know," The Farmer sighed, "but until my crops grow, I can't feed my family any other way."

"Well," Merel said, "It would be a pity to see you starve after all my help."  

Merel flew off, not knowing what she would do.  She flew and flew until her wings were sore.  Taking a rest by on a small tree, she heard muffled sounds below her.  She looked down and found Pig sitting in the shade of the tree, crying.  

Not liking to see anyone in pain, she cried out, "Good morning, Pig."

"It is not a good morning," Pig cried out between sobs, "I am all alone."

"You have no family?"

"My children grow quickly, they and my wife have left me.  Oh, I wish I could have someone to care for."

"At least you are not starving," Merel said, "The Farmer and his children have nothing to eat."

"Yes," Pig sighed, "Cat told me about the mice problem.  Is there anything I could do to help the farmer?"

"Only if you wish to be eaten..." Merel said, "The gods didn't put any truffles in this area, and the farmer is so starving he was pulling up poisonous mushrooms."

"Well," The pig said after some thought, "If it will help.  My heart is weary from being lonesome, and my children grow fast."  

So the Pig trudged to the farm and offered himself, a last useful effort after the rest of his life is played out.  The Farmer humbly accepted the Pig's sacrifice, and cut him up into different parts.  And Merel gave one last miracle, she made the Pig delicious, so he would never be lonely again.