PADLOCK
From The Enigma
NPL Magazine - Nov/Dec 2010
ULLY BYRD  (adapted)

[The three answer words to this flat are in the form of 123456, 345678, and 1278.]

In his accustomed 1278, pig three
Beseeched his brothers endlessly:
"Forsake all play. It's time," he said,
"To work with haste or wind up dead."
And, following his own advice,
He 345678d round at more than twice
His usual speed - a pig hell bent
On mixing up some fresh cement
To build a 123456 house of brick
With sturdy walls four inches thick.
And what of piggies one and two?
It's with a heart that's filled with rue
That I disclose the awful truth:
They failed to live beyond their youth.

HINT:
1278 = ROLE

Answer:

123456 = ROBUST
345678 = BUSTLE
1278     = ROLE