Two children, Max and Dolly, are recovering from a series of illnesses and spend their time looking out of their nursery windows. They become fascinated by a group of little black pigs in a nearby field, leading to a dispute over the number of pigs they see—Dolly insists there are thirteen, while Max argues there are only twelve. Their quarrel escalates during tea time, causing tension between them. Their mother, noticing their gloomy demeanor, encourages them to resolve their disagreement but suggests they wait until the next day to settle the matter. She promises them a walk to see the pigs, which excites the children. The following day, they keep their promise and do not look out the window, eager to see the pigs in person. On their walk, they encounter Farmer Wilder, who mentions that there are indeed twelve pigs. However, Dolly insists she saw thirteen, leading to further confusion. Their mother explains that both children were right and wrong, as a small black dog named Nigger had been with the pigs, contributing to the discrepancy in their counts. Ultimately, the children learn a valuable lesson about the silliness of quarreling, realizing that misunderstandings can arise from different perspectives. They return home with a newfound appreciation for harmony and the importance of resolving conflicts amicably.
By Mary Louisa Molesworth · First published 1894 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fiction, Family · 3 chapters