Why did Tom steal the pig? Was he a bad boy? Not according to the story behind this rhyme. Tom was the only son of a good-for-nothing who could only play the pipes and that very badly. Little Tom was forced to steal food for his father and himself as they traveled around the country. Was he beaten? Oh yes, he was, and very soundly, by the owner of the little pig that he stole. What effect did this painful lesson have on him? Listen to this tale and get a chuckle now and then because it is very droll.
