Final day of the Pigs of Evil

After much attempted chasing and much mud, trying to get the Pigs Of Evil back into their pen it was decided that the Pigs Of Evil needed to be put down. We could not continue to let them tear up our neighbors yard nor could we seem to be able to get them back into our yard. Over all it was an interesting day, I have never slaughtered any animal that large (around 100lbs) but it pretty much went along the lines I expected. It was no different than dressing a large rabbit. It took us about 1 hour to go from hanging the pig to having it quartered and while I am sure we did a few things we should not have there was no real difficulty. We had a number of friends over who help us first with the chasing then with the slaughtering. One of our friends had never done anything close to this but seemed to have a good time and was quite interested, his Lady was not so amused (sorry again Sharron).

It was interesting to examine my feelings about the slaughter, it was really no different from hunting in the basic form. While there was no "enjoyment" with the act of killing, there was great pride and enjoyment with the act of providing meat for my family. I am guessing that the act for most people of providing sustenance for their tribe triggers a very primal pride, the pride of the hunter: Keeping your people alive threw the darkness and the cold. When the hunter brings his kill into the cave or ring of tents and is greeted by the smiling faces of the elderly and the children who now know they will survive for a while longer with a belly full, there is a feeling triggered. A feeling akin to pride but without the arrogance, akin to honor with out the praise, a feeling of personal accomplishment. I guess you could call it "success" in the most basic method, you have fed your tribe. You have helped to keep that most basic human social structure alive another day. We are a long way from the cave and the tribe, but never the less that pride of the hunter and the honor shown to the prey is no different today than it was at the dawn of modern humans. I praise the Pigs of Evil, and I show honor to their strength and courage by using their flesh to feed my tribe. When we feast on the pork provided we will be showing respect to their memory and helping them to fulfill their purpose.