Judge, 1915-06-19 · page 14 of 24
Judge — June 19, 1915 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a moral fable illustrated as a cautionary tale about superficial self-improvement. A hog, dissatisfied with his appearance, adorns himself with a nose ring and ribbon, seeking validation from a mirror. The mirror—representing truth and honest judgment—refuses to flatter him, pointing out that decorations cannot change his fundamental nature. The punchline is darkly satirical: the ribbon reads "Invitation to Packing-house," suggesting the hog is being dressed up for slaughter. The moral critiques vanity as futile and self-destructive—no amount of ornamentation can alter one's essential fate or character. The story satirizes human vanity generally, suggesting that people who obsess over superficial improvements while ignoring deeper truths are foolishly marching toward their own demise.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A HOG seated before a mirror asked the mirror if it did not think him handsome. “Your legs and tail are the only graceful things about you,” replied the mirror. Shortly he came again with a ring in his nose and a ribbon about his neck. “How now?” he asked of the mirror. ‘‘ Don’t you think | am handsome >” “ Your ornaments are fine,” said the mirror, “but your hogship is not improved by your decorations.” The hog becoming angry, tried to break the face of the mirror, which said to him, “You attack me for my honesty; but you will soon fall on account of your vanity. On vour ribbon | see printed, *‘ Invitation to Packing-house.’