The Remarkable Adventures of an Old Woman and Her Pig An Ancient Tale in a Modern Dress

"The Remarkable Adventures of an Old Woman and Her Pig" by Anonymous is a whimsical children's tale presented in the form of a narrative poem, likely written in the early 19th century. The story captures the misadventures of an old woman who impulsively purchases a pig and faces a series of comedic obstacles as she attempts to bring her new pet home. This charming tale demonstrates themes of perseverance, the absurdity of expectations versus reality, and the interconnectedness of various characters in a light-hearted format. In the story, an old woman, delighted by the discovery of a silver penny, decides to buy a pig but soon finds herself in trouble when the pig refuses to cross a stile. Throughout her comedic plight, she seeks assistance from various animals and elements including a dog, a stick, a fire, and an ox, but each proves unhelpful. As her frustrations grow, the old woman even involves a butcher, a rope, and eventually a cat, igniting a chain of playful chaos. Ultimately, it is the pig’s realization of impending danger that drives him to cross the stile with ease, allowing the woman to return home safely. The narrative unfolds with humor, showcasing the folly of the old woman's predicament while emphasizing the loyalty and cleverness of her pig. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Anonymous works are works, such as art or literature, that have an anonymous, undisclosed, or unknown creator or author. In the case of very old works, the author's name may simply be lost over the course of history and time. There are a number of reasons anonymous works arise.