Porky’s Bear Facts

The short opens with Porky Pig plowing his land, whistling and singing 'As Ye Sow So Shall Ye Reap' to the tune of 'The Girl With The Pigtails In Her Hair.' The animals around him are shown working in their own routines, underscoring a culture of diligence. Porky also stocks his basement and cans food in anticipation of leaner times.

Across the fence, a lazy bear strums a ukulele on his own farm. He sings a parody called 'Working Can Wait,' extolling the virtues of not working and relaxing. Several animals on the bear's farm fall into his habits, with hens playing games, a cow reading Ferdinand the Bull, a mouse reading Of Mice and Men, and the dog sleeping beside the bear.

Months pass and in January a fierce blizzard strikes the area. The bear suddenly realizes he has no food, and his cupboards yield nothing. The looming winter hunger sets the stage for the misadventure to come.

The bear and his dog rummage through their cupboards and find nothing but the memory of a feast. They search frantically for any edible scrap, clinging to the hope of a last bite. At last they uncover a lone bean in a can, a faint spark of relief in the cold winter.

Just as they are about to say grace, the mouse slips in and steals the single bean from the bear and dog. The bear groans in despair, and the dog quips that disaster might befall him next. The tiny pilfered morsel underlines how fragile their chance at a meal has become.

The bear stalks his dog outside as the two wander toward Porky's window and discover that Porky and his dog are sitting down to a proper dinner. Hunger sharpens the contrast between their laziness and Porky’s diligence. The sight shakes the bear's resolve, reminding him of the consequences of idleness.

The bear and his dog knock on Porky's door and ask to join the meal, but Porky slams the door and declares, 'You've buttered your bed, now sleep in it!' He resists sharing his hard-won food. The moment tests whether generosity can override stubborn self-discipline.

Seeing a 'love thy neighbor' sign at the door, Porky feels obligated to extend hospitality to his hungry neighbors. He finally invites the bear and the dog to join the dinner. The act demonstrates a moral about neighborliness and second chances.

At the table, the bear finally shares the meal with Porky and his dog and experiences a moment of gratitude. The scene frames the lesson that generosity can temper hard-won discipline. The bear vows that he has learned his lesson and will not go hungry again next winter.

As spring approaches, the bear sprints back to his porch, singing 'Working Can Wait' once more. The closing beat reinforces the fable’s message about balancing labor with prudence and community. The bear’s resolve to work for a better future ends the short on an upbeat note.