Three little pigs built houses. One liked straw. She built hers with straw. One liked sticks. She built hers with sticks. The third little pig? She built hers of bricks. Two got eaten. One did not.

What does this story teach us? On one hand it teaches us that if we screw up, it’s our own fault that we lose our house. It’s our own fault if we get eaten. And if we use the other version of the story where the pigs run away to the brick house for protection? There’s that pain in the ass sister pig know it all waiting for us in her big brick house ready to say ‘I told you so’.

Run and hide

On the other hand? This story teaches us something else equally damaging. It says: Don’t be stupid. Protect yourself. Don your armour. Build a wall. You’ll be safe that way. You’re stupid if you don’t. Don’t do what you love. Don’t take a risk. Hide behind some bricks and the big bad wolf will leave you alone. Stay safe.

Which pig are you?

So many of us are afraid of being the pig who loves straw, or the pig …