Desert Rose is a Texas pig farmer who has just purchased the biggest, fattest hog she can find. Rose wants to take her new possession to the Laredo State Fair where she's sure her supersized hog will take the blue ribbon.

Alas, Rose's plan is derailed when her hog refuses to get its trotters wet by crossing a bubbling creek. "Well, tickle my tail feathers!" cries Desert Rose. "You are one highfalutin hog!"

Obviously she is going to need some help to get her hog across the stream, so Rose enlists the aid of a coyote, rattlesnake, cowboy, bronco, and longhorn steer. Unfortunately, they all decline for one reason or another. Then Rose finds an armadillo with plenty of "attitude" who strikes an interesting bargain with the girl. Before you can say "starch my stirrups", that ornery armadillo solves the problem and Rose and her hog can continue on to the fair.

This is a repetitive tale where phrases are repeated as the story builds towards its conclusion. It is reminiscent of "The Old Woman and Her Pig" but Alison Jackson gives the ancient nursery rhyme a decided Texas twist that young children will enjoy.