Quite a number of fairy tales and fables have their basis in reality. I remember the story of the Three Little Pigs, and I remember for one, I cried when I saw the wolf about to kill the pig. What I was to learn, however, is that it wasn't the nasty wolf but the being who'd built up his empire and when others wanted their share, he said no, so they blew down his empire. The straw was a metaphor for a flimsy house built quickly. The same with the sticks. The third little pig took his time.