Micro-story: The Pigs Who Couldn't Lie (by Tonkabean)

 

On this farm, a new rule was made: No pig is allowed to lie. However, reports showed that lying is a pig’s natural instinct. Hearing this news, Kiki and Fifi were deeply worried. Their brother, Pipi, was always lazy and only did 70% of his work. For example, if he was supposed to change the trash bags three times a day, he would only do it twice. If he was supposed to guard the farm five times, he would only go three times. Whenever he was caught, he always made up excuses. That was just Pipi’s work attitude.

Rules were rules, but obeying this one changed the farm in a strange way. The whole place fell into a dead silence. Every pig became as lonely as a heavy, unmovable stone. Their facial muscles became completely stiff. Forcing them not to lie was like forcing them not to speak. It was deeply depressing.

In this quiet farm, Kiki noticed a very skinny pig. He was so thin that he barely looked like a pig. Because he was too skinny to be sold for money, he ended up doing various chores for the farmer, yet he carried an amazing amount of energy.

Fifi felt sorry for the skinny pig and began to watch him. But to her surprise, he didn't look miserable at all. She even doubted her own eyes—why did the skinny pig always seem to be smiling? She couldn't help but walk closer. He really was laughing, and he was doing it out loud! She thought, If there's nothing wrong with my eyes, then my ears must be playing tricks on me!

It turned out that the skinny pig loved to laugh. He loved laughing even more than he loved eating! Gradually, he had much less fat than the other pigs, and he wasn't as lazy as them either. He began to share his Laughter Yoga. Especially when the new rule was announced, the pigpen was filled with emotional stress. The skinny pig wrinkled his nose and let out a big, 'Ho Ho Ha Ha... Anyway, just laugh first!' Soon, the other pigs started laughing along, too. 'Yes, yes, yes! Real or fake, it doesn't matter. Just laugh first!' a female pig said."

Kiki and Fifi felt a bit awkward. If the laugh was fake, where was the fun? Besides, how was this any different from lying? Wasn't this just another form of cheating?

The skinny pig smiled and patted their shoulders. "In the science of Laughter Yoga, this is called the two-way link between body and mind. Whatever action your body performs, it generates a corresponding emotion in your mind. This is not cheating; it is a gentle rebellion of the body against the brain. When the brain stops judging whether life is funny or not, it bypasses the cognitive braking system that blocks our joy..." The skinny pig went on and on.

Fifi scratched her forehead and said, "That sounds way too complicated. You talk like you're speaking to humans. But I am a pig."

The skinny pig laughed and said, "Before you eat, do you stop and think, 'I am about to eat, but am I really hungry?' No, you don't! You just eat first! Laughter works the same way. Just laugh, and your brain will follow. It’s just like rolling around in the mud. Do you stop and ask yourself, 'Am I rolling the right way?' No! You just roll! Laughter is exactly the same." The skinny pig shrugged.

Kiki and Fifi looked at each other. They decided to drop all logic, let go of their doubts, and just give this "Ho Ho Ha Ha" a try!

Two pigs laughed very shyly.

Ten pigs laughed quite easily.

A hundred pigs laughed beautifully and brightly.

Eventually, Kiki and Fifi got used to laughing for no reason. Laughter itself became the reason. And the wonderful thing was, laughing this way still brought them pure, true joy.

End

Date：31 August 2026

Illustration: Ai-Bean

Written by: Tonkabean

Besides writing micro-stories, I also create audiobooks. I hope we can get to know each other.

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