Proud Pig Steps Out

The people of the village were happy in anticipation of the coming of the lunar new year, Tet Nguyen Dan, the ceremony which marks the coming of spring in Vietnam. They were ready to usher in the Year of the Pig. 

Centuries ago, the Jade Emperor, the emperor of Heaven, wanted to use twelve animals as symbols of the twelve earthly branches. Their places were to be determined by their skills shown in competition. The contest was lively. The tricky rat came in first, followed by the ox. The tiger won third, the hare got fourth, the dragon was in fifth and the snake took sixth place. Soon the horse galloped into seventh place. The sheep placed eighth and the monkey came ninth. The rooster and the dog came together, but the rooster reminded the dog that he was in charge of the morning and the dog kept watch at night so the rooster must be ahead and in tenth place, and dog took ninth. At last the awkward pig came and stood in twelfth place. The Jade Emperor declared the order of representing the twelve earthly branches, and each of the animals has stood in the cycle, symbolizing the year in which a person is born. 

The houses were all swept clean, and decorated with plants, and flowers. The yellow flowers and red Li Xi envelopes of the cay mai made the branches in their pots look lovely. A beautiful new kumquat tree full of deep orange fruits decorated many of the houses The women had cooked and cooked and there were platters heaped with special banh chung rice cakes, egg rolls, and sweets.

The people had visited their ancestor’s burial sites, cleaning and decorating the graves and inviting the ancestors to visit for Tet. The family altar in each home was decorated with incense, fruit, and delicious candies. The pictures of the ancestors on the altar smiled at the happy family homes; no one quarreled and the children had promised to behave. Red paper fluttered gaily from the Cay Nieu in the front yards. All seemed ready for the three days of the Spring Festival. The Kitchen God would have a very good report to make to the Jade Emperor about their little country town.

This year, more than ever before, the people were excited because the major had declared a grand parade to open the official celebration of the Spring Festival. As it was the last year in the cycle, for once in his life, pig would be first, instead of last. The other animals would file behind in order, followed by musicians and men with sticks dangling long strings of firecrackers. What a glorious day it would be.

The animals began to groom themselves into their best finery for the big day. The dragon polished all his shiny scales, the cock preened his feathers until they shone like jewels. The horse put on new shoes and the dog sported a fancy new leather collar. All were proud of themselves and ready to begin bright and early the next morning. 

Suddenly, the villagers heard a shrill wail --- aiyiyiyiyi! Again and again the horrid sound floated across the quiet countryside. 

Tho San, the hunter called out to the villagers, “Let’s go and see what the matter is.” He led the villagers toward the sound which was coming from the farm at the edge of the village. As they arrived at the gate, they saw Nong Nghiep the farmer, weeping and wringing his hands. 

“Oh no,” Nong Nghiep wailed. And he pointed dramatically as he thundered out “Look at Pig!” 

All their heads snapped around as one and the villagers stared hard at Pig. Pig, who was supposed to lead the parade the next day, was sitting in a mud puddle, totally filthy dirty, blinking his little round eyes.

“Aiyiyiyi,” said Cau Ca, the fisherman. “How embarrassing! He can’t lead the parade like that!”

Do Vat, the wrestler, wailed aloud, “I’ll die of the shame. We will be the laughingstock of the country!”

Rong the dragon pronounced, “Pig is a disgrace to us all. He is dirty and lazy and stupid!” With that he stomped away back to the village. Echoing his sentiments, all the villagers followed him. Even Nong Nghiep left his own farm and went into town to drink tea and whine with the others. 

At last, only kind little Ban Hang the vendor remained. She set down her heavy baskets of goods and squatted down by the pitiful pig.

“Now, Pig, this just won’t do. You have to lead the parade tomorrow. Where is your pride?” she asked. 

Pig blinked his little eyes and said, “Here is where my master the farmer put me, in this dirty pen. He feeds me only slops to eat, even though he has plenty of fresh vegetables. I’m not stupid! I just can’t get out of this pen to do anything about it. What can I do?”

Quickly, Ban Hang opened the latch of the pen. Come on she called as she walked over to a large trough of water. Unwrapping a bar of fancy soap from her basket, she took out a scrub brush and invited Pig to a nice bath. 

Using the brush she scrubbed and scrubbed until Pig was squeaky clean. When he was dried, he had a most pleasant odor. Carefully Ban Hang polished his little hooves and brushed a perfect curl into his tail. Then she held up a mirror for Pig to admire himself.

Pig took one look and huge tears welled up in his little pig eyes. “I’m still ugly! The other animals all have new finery, and I’m just plain Pig.” Discouraged, he sat down and began to sob. 

Just at that moment, Cau Ca the fisherman stepped out from behind some bushes where he had been watching. He had come back after a basket he had left earlier and heard and saw everything. 

“Oh Pig,” said Cau Ca. “It doesn’t matter that you aren’t beautiful! You are good and you are smart. Ban Hang taught me a good lesson. Instead of walking away grumbling, she did something to help you. She is your friend and I am your friend, too. You will be a wonderful leader for tomorrow’s parade.”

“Thank you,” said Pig. “But I am just plain Pig. I cannot lead the parade. All the other animals are decorative. I’m much too plain to be a leader.”

“Pig,” said Cau Ca, “I just happen to have something very special here in my basket. It is a magic fish scale. Make a wish on it and in the morning you will see what a proud pig you will be!” With that, Cau Ca slipped a fish scale onto a string and hung it about Pig’s neck. Then he turned to Ban Hang and told her to sing a lullaby for Pig so he could get his rest before the exciting events to come in the morning. He also gave her a big wink, which Pig, who had already closed his eyes, did not see.

Soon the sweet lilting voice of little Ban Hang filled the countryside. Pig began to smile sleepily, and the kind songstress bent over and gave him a good night kiss right on the tip of his button nose. In no time at all, Pig was snoring peacefully. 

Ban Hang’s beautiful song was heard as far away as the village, and one by one the people came back to the farm to see what was going on. How surprised they were to see Pig so clean and tidy. 

Cau Ca held his finger to his lips. “Shhhhhhhh,” he commanded. “Pig thinks he is too plain to lead the parade, so we are going to help him feel fancy and proud. We were all wrong. Ban Hang did what was right. She tried to help poor pig. We should all remember her lesson.”

With that, Cau Ca fastened a beautiful necklace from fish scales and quietly slipped it about Pig’s neck, careful not to wake him. Dog cut the tip off his new leather collar to make a pair of spats to decorate Pig’s hooves. Clever little monkey fashioned a large green banana leaf into a jaunty hat. The hair donated a little of his fur for a pompom, and the rooster pulled out his most perfect tail feather to decorate monkey’s hat. One by one each animal and each villager brought something of themselves to add to Pig’s finery.

Suddenly a bright cloud appeared in the sky. From it, a jade hand appeared and thousands of tiny jewels began to fall on Pig and the assembled Animals and Villagers. As the jade finger moved, letters appeared on Pig’s side. They spelled out Chúc Mừng Nǎm Mới 

Everyone was surprised by the miracle. What had happened? With a great roar of delight, Rong thundered out, “I understand! Our love and friendship and our working together to help Pig has brought the favor of the Jade Emperor!” Those who have love and friendship will always have the most precious of jewels in their life.”

Rong’s exclamation woke up the surprised Pig. The others rushed over and held up a large mirror to show him the miracle. That morning, it was a proud Pig who stepped out to lead the parade. Tet could officially begin. 

And the Jade Emperor was smiling.