Pigs is Pigs by Ellis Parker Butler
The story revolves around a freight agent who tries to convince a railroad company to transport two pigs and a dozen chickens, claiming they are all pigs, as the rate for transporting pigs is lower than that of chickens. The humorous tale unfolds as the agent's clever argument leads to a series of absurd events.
By Ellis Parker Butler · First published 1905 · Genre: Humor, Satire, Short Story · 4,126 words
First lines
Mike Flannery, the Westcote agent of the Interurban Express Company, leaned over the counter of the express office and shook his fist. Mr. Morehouse, angry and red, stood on the other side of the counter, trembling with rage. The argument had been long and heated, and at last Mr. Morehouse had talked himself speechless. The cause of the trouble stood on the counter between the two men. It was a soap box across the top of which were nailed a number of strips, forming a rough but serviceable cage. In it two spotted guinea-pigs were greedily eating lettuce leaves.
What this Textopian page supports
Pigs is Pigs is listed on Textopian as a novella by Ellis Parker Butler, dated 1905 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Ellis Parker Butler
- Date: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Humor, Satire, Short Story, Children's Literature, American Literature
- Length: 4,126 words
- Structure: 1 section, 81 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Pigs is Pigs by Ellis Parker Butler
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Pigs is Pigs?
- How does this novella by Ellis Parker Butler fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Humor first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Swatty by Ellis Parker Butler
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- Philosopher Bimm by Ambrose Bierce
- A Valedictory by O. Henry
- Ridiculous by O. Henry
Genres
- Humor — The story is primarily a humorous tale about bureaucratic inefficiency and misunderstandings.
- Satire — The narrative satirizes the absurdity of rigid adherence to rules and regulations.
- Short Story — The work is a concise, standalone piece of fiction.
- Children's Literature — The simple plot and comedic elements make it accessible to younger readers.
Tags
Children's literature · Humor · Satire · Fable · Animal fiction · Farm animals · Pigs · Railroad · Freight rates · Shipping · Commerce · Economics