Miller smiled, unlatching the gate. "Smart move, kid. A cheap pig with expensive care beats an expensive pig with no dinner every time."
Leo stood at the edge of Miller’s Farm, clutching a weathered leather wallet that felt far too light for his ambitions. He had spent the last three summers hauling hay and fixing fences with one goal in mind: buying his first pig for the county fair.
Miller chuckled. "That’s a breeding sow, son. She’s the future of the farm. A lady like that costs anywhere from $500 to $2,000. And a prime boar? You’re looking at $2,500 easy. Quality costs, and legacy costs more."
Leo opened his wallet. He had exactly two hundred and forty dollars. It was enough for a feeder, but he’d have nothing left for the high-quality grain Miller recommended.
Old Man Miller leaned against the wooden gate of the weaning pen, a piece of straw tucked into the corner of his mouth. He watched the boy watch the pigs.
