Yellow Dotties and the Runaway Pigs
In the rolling countryside near Bablock Hythe stood the cheerful farming village of Butterbean Hollow — a peaceful place filled with apple orchards, muddy lanes, vegetable gardens, and the loudest pigs in the Marble Kingdom.
And looking after those pigs were the marbles known as the Yellow Dotties.
The Yellow Dotties were bright yellow marbles covered in tiny golden spots that looked like drops of sunshine. They were famous for being hardworking, friendly, and slightly chaotic whenever animals were involved.
Especially pigs.
Lots and lots of pigs.
Huge pigs.
Tiny pigs.
Striped pigs.
One pig somehow wore a scarf year-round.
Jack Mitchell arrived in Butterbean Hollow one warm summer morning after hearing reports that something very strange was happening at Farmer Bumble’s pig farm.
The pigs had escaped.
All one hundred and forty-three of them.
Bernard the talking dog stared across the village in disbelief as pigs raced through flowerbeds, rolled down hills, and stole vegetables from market stalls.
One pig was somehow driving a wheelbarrow.
“I refuse to ask questions anymore,” Bernard muttered.
At the centre of the chaos stood Dotty Dimple, leader of the Yellow Dotties.
Her shell shimmered with golden yellow spots, although she was currently covered head-to-tail in mud.
“We’ve got a pig emergency!” she cried.
Jack looked around.
“Yes. That part was obvious.”
Apparently, the pigs had escaped after a mysterious loud noise came from the old barn beside the fields late the previous evening.
Since then, the pigs had become completely wild.
“They’re running everywhere!” shouted one Yellow Dottie.
“They stole Mrs Crumble’s cabbages!” yelled another.
One particularly naughty pig raced past wearing Bernard’s hat.
“THAT’S MY HAT!” Bernard barked.
The Yellow Dotties explained that the pigs were usually calm and happy because of the Golden Corn Bell — a magical farm bell hanging inside the old barn. Every evening its gentle ringing kept the animals peaceful.
But now the bell had vanished.
Without it, the pigs had turned completely uncontrollable.
Jack frowned.
“So who stole the bell?”
Before anyone could answer…
OIIIIIIINK-BOOOOM!
A massive explosion burst from the hilltop windmill.
Clouds of flour blasted into the sky.
And standing dramatically atop the windmill sails was a strange marble wearing farming boots and goggles.
Professor Porklington.
Years earlier, Professor Porklington had been the village’s greatest inventor. But after becoming obsessed with “advanced pig intelligence,” he began building bizarre farm machines in secret.
Bernard narrowed his eyes.
“That sentence alone concerns me.”
Professor Porklington held up the missing Golden Corn Bell proudly.
“With my Pig Brain Amplifier,” he announced, “I shall create the smartest pigs in the kingdom!”
Down below, dozens of pigs suddenly charged through the village carrying wooden spoons, flowerpots, and stolen sandwiches.
One pig attempted to climb a chimney.
Another appeared to be directing traffic.
“It’s made them TOO clever!” cried Dotty Dimple.
The Pig Brain Amplifier — a giant machine attached to the windmill — was using the Golden Corn Bell to send strange energy waves across the farm.
If it overloaded completely, the pigs could become permanently uncontrollable.
“Then we shut it down,” said Jack.
The Yellow Dotties raced toward the windmill while pigs zoomed around the fields causing complete chaos.
Bernard spent most of the journey chasing the pig wearing his hat.
“I know it’s you, Gerald!”
Inside the windmill, giant gears spun wildly while glowing corn kernels shot through glass tubes into the Pig Brain Amplifier.
The machine shook violently.
Pigs outside began organising themselves into marching formations.
One pig appeared to be reading a newspaper.
“This has gone too far,” said Bernard.
Jack climbed toward the control platform while Dotty Dimple distracted Professor Porklington by throwing muddy turnips at him.
“THIS IS SCIENCE!” shouted Porklington dramatically.
“THIS IS MADNESS!” shouted Dotty Dimple back.
Suddenly the amplifier overloaded.
SPROINK-KABOOOOM!
The windmill shook violently.
Golden energy spiralled across the fields.
And every pig in Butterbean Hollow charged directly toward the windmill at once.
“Oh dear,” whispered Jack.
Thinking quickly, Dotty Dimple grabbed the Golden Corn Bell and rang it as loudly as possible.
DINGGGGGGG!
A warm golden sound echoed across the countryside.
Instantly the pigs stopped.
Silence fell across the fields.
Then slowly…
One by one…
The pigs calmly sat down.
Even the pig wearing Bernard’s hat gently returned it.
“Well,” Bernard admitted, “that’s surprisingly polite.”
The Pig Brain Amplifier sputtered harmlessly and collapsed into a pile of smoking turnips and tangled gears.
Professor Porklington sighed sadly.
“I only wanted smarter pigs.”
Dotty Dimple smiled kindly.
“Maybe pigs don’t need to be smarter.”
One nearby pig immediately fell asleep inside a bucket.
“…Yes,” she nodded. “Definitely.”
That evening, Butterbean Hollow held a huge countryside feast to celebrate saving the village. The Yellow Dotties danced beneath lanterns while the pigs happily snored in freshly cleaned pens.
Jack laughed as one tiny pig curled up beside Bernard.
“You know,” said Jack, “I think they like you.”
Bernard glanced down at the sleeping pig.
The pig snored loudly and drooled on his paw.
“I remain undecided.”