Best In Show

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By Angie Bromeland

It had to have been a misprinting. That’s what Antoine told himself. He was at the County Fair showing his pig, Yorkie. Yorkie had been on his best behavior all week. He showed like a real pro. He was the picture of refinement. Yet here was a poster reading Melvin had won Best in Show. It made no sense. Melvin was the meanest swine in the barn. He squealed and whined so loudly Antoine had to cover his ears. Antoine and some of the other County Fair kids talked about it in secret. They thought Melvin should be fined for his bad behavior. Their own pigs were getting nervous just being around Melvin. Truly, that pig was the definition of “nasty.”
Melvin’s owner, Brad, said Melvin didn’t like the confinement of his stall, and that’s why he behaved so poorly. But Antoine and the other kids thought that shouldn’t matter—a good pig is a good pig, after all. (And a bad one is a bad one.) After all, none of the other pigs were acting up.
So needless to say, when Brad saw the sign, he was surprised, too. He thought surely there was no hope for Melvin this year. Antoine was passing through the barn when he saw Brad squinting at the writing on the poster.
“Yep, can you believe it?” Antoine asked Brad. “Your mean pig won.”
Brad looked shocked. “Well, he did show well to the judges, though. Did you see that?” When Antoine shook his head no, Brad went on. “Who’d have thought?” he shrugged. “I guess Melvin is a fine looking pig, after all.”
Antoine couldn’t disagree with that. Maybe Yorkie would have better luck at next year’s County Fair.

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