The Tale of Pigling Bland is a Beatrix Potter story about a young pig who is sent to market with his brother, Alexander. On the way, he gets separated from his brother, gets lost, and has a number of adventures.
This book provides examples of:
- Aerith and Bob: Most of the piglets have pet names like Spot and Stumpy, except for two: Alexander and Pigling Bland.
- Carnivore Confusion: The humans talk to the animals, but also eat them.
- Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: Pigling Bland and his sister Spot are the responsible ones, the other six are trouble makers although Alexander is the one that receives the most attention.
- Have a Gay Old Time: One of Pigling's sisters is named Suck-suck.
- Messy Pig: Pigling's siblings play it straight, though he and Pig-wig avert it.
- Plucky Girl: Pig-wig blithely describes how Mr. Piperson plans to turn her into bacon.
- What Happened to the Pig?: Pigling has found Alexander's license, but no mention is made as to what happened to him after the policeman took him to market. Cynically, it is very like he was turned into food.
