Porky’s Bear Facts 1941

In this animated short inspired by a classic Aesop fable, the clash between two distinct attitudes toward work and comfort drives the story forward. At the center stand Porky Pig and a neighborly Bear, whose contrasting choices set the tone for a quietly moral tale about foresight, responsibility, and the consequences of idleness. The film opens with the diligent pig toiling in his fields, whistling and singing a carefree tune, As Ye Sow So Shall Ye Reap, while the rhythm carries the scene. He works steadily, quietly preparing for leaner times by stocking his basement and canning surplus food, a small but steady expression of prudence.

Across the way on the neighboring farm, the mood shifts to laid-back, almost comic indolence. The lazy bear strums a ukulele and belts out a parody titled Working Can Wait, a playful jab at the notion of hard work. The other animals on the farm drift into the lazy vibe as well: hens engage in games, a cow leafs through Ferdinand the Bull, a mouse pore over Of Mice and Men, and even the dog dozes at the bear’s side. The music and atmosphere underscore how easy life feels when effort is minimized, creating a stark contrast with Porky’s careful preparation.

Months slip by, and January arrives with a fierce blizzard that blankets the land. Inside the bear’s shack, hunger quickly becomes real as he scours cupboards and finds only silence where food should be. Desperation grows as they search through cans, hoping for a miracle, until a single bean remains. As they ready to say grace, the mouse makes off with the lone prize, provoking a mix of alarm and disbelief. The bear’s cry of despair is met by the dog’s wry aside, “I wouldn’t be surprised if he tries to eat me!” The moment captures the precarious edge of need and the unpredictable tricks life can play.

The bear and his dog edge toward the window and glimpse Porky—still sharing a quiet dinner with his own dog—inside the comfort of a well-provisioned home. They knock and plead to join, but Porky initially narrows the door with a sharp retort: “You’ve buttered your bed, now sleep in it!” Yet conscience nudges him, and the scene pivots on a reminder of neighborly duty. The expression on the door, bearing a subtle “love thy neighbor” sentiment, nudges the pig to extend hospitality, and he invites the hungry pair to sit at his table.

What follows is a gentle, redeeming moment where restraint and generosity soften the harsher edges of the tale. The bear, grateful and surprised by the turn of events, eats and experiences a shift in perspective. He declares that he has learned his lesson and vows not to be hungry again the next winter. Yet the story ends with a small, knowing twist: as spring looms, the bear spots the changing season and bolts back to his porch, once again singing Working Can Wait, a reminder that habits die hard even after a moment of reform.

This short uses simple, accessible humor—the working pig’s methodical approach contrasted with the bear’s carefree attitude—to illustrate a timeless moral: preparation and diligence pay off when times are hard, but acts of kindness and neighborly support can alter a lonely, hungry winter. The pacing is steady, the visuals crisp, and the tone remains neutral, letting the fable unfold with a gentle, if occasionally sly, sense of humor. The animation leans on expressive timing and familiar character dynamics to convey its message without preaching, inviting viewers to reflect on balance—between self-reliance and community, between seizing the moment and planning for the future.

Note: The key characters portrayed by Porky Pig and the Bear anchor the narrative, while the other animals—Cow, Dog, and Mouse—support the atmosphere and storytelling through their small, character-driven moments. The film preserves its old-fashioned charm with a clear moral arc, offering a thoughtful, readable parable about effort, scarcity, generosity, and the sometimes reluctant lure of repenting habits once they take hold.