As the youngest member of his family, Levi often feels neglected and ignored on the busy family farm. He wants to have a pet like his brother Ethan. One spring day as he watches Father care for a new litter of pigs, Levi asks for a piglet as a pet. After Father agrees, Levi studies the litter carefully. Seeing the runt of the litter being pushed away from the feeding trough by the larger pigs reminds Levi of how he feels about being left out in his family. So he chooses the smallest one--the one he thinks needs extra love and attention. He names her Freda.

Looking around the pig sty...