Episode 1: The Hog That Was Too Big

Now, as strong and mighty as Bubba Blue was…
lifting that hog—just one size too big—was more than his back could handle.

And now?

Bubba couldn’t even stand up straight.

He sat on his front porch, wallerin’ in pain, paying the price for being in a hurry… and forgetting to lift with his legs.

Truth be told, Bubba Blue—a banjo-playing, blue jean overall-wearing, hog-farming black bear—figured no hog was a match for him.

He figured wrong.

Just then, he spotted his fishing buddy Oscar pulling up the driveway, bass boat hitched to the back of his truck.

Now Oscar wasn’t just any owl—he was Bubba’s best friend… and his preacher.

Bubba didn’t want to disappoint him.

So with all his might, he pulled himself up into his rocking chair, trying to look like everything was just fine.

Oscar stepped out of the truck, squinting those wise old eyes.

“Bubba… we still fishin’ today? I hear the bluegill and bass are bitin’ this morning.”

Bubba forced a grin.

“Oscar, I wish I could… but I’m just too busy today. This farm ain’t gonna run itself. You go on without me—we’ll go next weekend.”

Oscar nodded slowly… but something didn’t sit right.

And sure enough, a few miles down the road at the bait shop, he muttered to himself:

“Something’s fishy… and it ain’t the bait.”

He turned that truck right around.

Back at the porch, Bubba hadn’t moved an inch.

When Oscar pulled back in, he walked right up to him and said gently,

“Bubba… I’m your friend. You can tell me what’s really goin’ on.”

And just like that, Bubba’s pride gave way.

He told Oscar everything.

Oscar listened… then smiled.

“Well Bubba… sounds like it’s time you met the doctor inside of you.”

Bubba blinked.

“The doctor… inside of me?”

Oscar chuckled.

“Hop in the truck. I’ll show ya.”

Every bump in the road made Bubba wince as they headed into town.

“I don’t know about this, Oscar…” Bubba muttered. “You think this doctor can even adjust someone my size?”

Oscar grinned.

“You’d be surprised what Dr. Bottom can do.”

They pulled into a packed parking lot.

That didn’t help Bubba’s nerves.

Inside the office, though, something felt different.

People were smiling. Laughing. Talking about how much better they felt.

Still… Bubba noticed something.

None of them were as big as him.

Just then, the hallway door opened…

…and out walked a massive elephant.

Behind him stood a small orangutan in a white coat, smiling and patting him on the back.

“Great job today, Ralph. I’ll see you next time.”

Bubba’s eyes widened.

The elephant—Ralph—noticed.

“You’re in good hands,” he said kindly. “If it weren’t for Dr. Bottom, I wouldn’t be drivin’ my semi anymore.”

“Bubba Blue?” a cheerful voice called.

“I’m ready for you.”

Dr. Bottom smiled.

“I hear you lifted a hog one size too big.”

Bubba nodded, a little embarrassed.

“Yes sir… I was in a hurry and wasn’t thinkin’.”

Dr. Bottom nodded.

“Happens to the best of us. Let’s take a look.”

A short time later, Dr. Bottom showed Bubba his X-rays.

“Right here, Bubba—this bone in your lower back isn’t moving the way it should. That’s putting pressure on the nerve and causing all that pain.”

Bubba swallowed.

“So… can you fix it?”

Dr. Bottom smiled.

“I can help your body do what it was designed to do.”

Then came the adjustment.

Pop.

Bubba tensed… then paused.

And then—

Relief.

For the first time all day… Bubba stood up straight.

No pain.

His eyes lit up.

He scooped up Dr. Bottom in the biggest bear hug that little orangutan had ever received.

Later that evening, out on Oscar’s bass boat, the sun dipping low over the water…

Bubba smiled.

“Oscar… thank you. I feel like myself again.”

Then he paused.

“But what did you mean… about the doctor inside of me?”

Oscar leaned back, a soft grin on his face.

“Bubba… you were made wonderfully. Your body’s designed to heal from the inside out.”

He pointed gently at Bubba’s back.

“But when things aren’t moving the way they should… that healing gets dimmed down.”

Bubba nodded slowly.

“So that’s what the adjustment did?”

Oscar smiled.

“It helped turn the power back on… so the doctor inside of you could do his job.”

Because sometimes…
the doctor you need most…
is the one already inside you.