Number of visitors
Brer Fox begin ta miss Sonny. He know Sonny won't never come ta see him, long as he an' Brer Rabbit be in da Holler tagedder, so he decide he go see Sonny.
One gloomy night after Brer Fox left da Holler, Brer Rabbit be woke up by lightning. Da light so bright an' da sound so loud, at first he tink it might have struck his briar patch. He poke his head out an' look around. Da briar patch warn't burnin' anywhar, but den he saw a tree up on da hill nearby dat be burning. An', da fire spreadin' down toward da Holler.
He got out of da briar patch likkedy split, ta go warn da udder animals ta pack up an' go ta da river. But, everywhar he go, da animals don't believe him because he always pullin' jokes on everyone an' lyin' ta everyone.
Den he go ta Brer Fox's cabin. He knock on da door until his knuckles hurt.
Finally, Brer Bear shout out, "Duh, whoz dat makin' all dis racket so late at night?"
"It's Brer Rabbit. Dere's a fire comin'. Get up quick!"
Brer Bear open da door an' threw a sack over Brer Rabbit's head.
"Ya bet dere's a fire coming, an its right unner my cookin' pot!"
"What'd ya think I come ta yar door for?"
"I don't know," say Brer Bear as he carry Brer Rabbit over ta da cookin' pot.
"Ta warn ya dat a fire iz coming!" shout Brer Rabbit.
"I ain't gonna pay ya no nevermind! Ya ain't gonna get away from dis cookin' pot tanight!"
"Jist take a look, den I go climb in yar cookin' pot!"
Brer Bear kept a real tight grip on da sack, makin' shore Brer Rabbit warn't gonna escape, an' den he lean out da window.
"Dere's a fire oud dere!"
"Dat's what I be tellin' ya!"
After Brer Rabbit got out of da sack, he go around da Holler shoutin' "Fire!".
But, everybody tink he up ta one of his tricks.
Brer Bear be comin' along behind Brer Rabbit (he never kin keep up with Brer Rabbit), an' say, "Dere iz a fire out dere!"
"Now, don't ya start teasin' me too," each one say.
"He too dumb ta tease," Brer Rabbit be shoutin', but still, nobody listen.
Finally, Brer Rabbit aks about da old tar baby.
"It's out in da wood shed," say Brer Bear.
Brer Rabbit threw da tar baby in da cookin' pot.
"Duh, whatchu doin' wid my cookin' pot?"
Den he grab Brer Bear's club an' dip it in da warm tar.
"Hey! Whatchu doin' wid my club?"
Den he lit da club, hand it ta Brer Bear an' tell him ta stick it in da windows of all da houses while both of dem shout "Fire! Fire!"
Finally, everyone believe Brer Rabbit an' Brer Bear an' head for da river jist in time. Almos' ever' single person in da Holler safe, but da Holler been destroyed.
Afterward, Brer Bear an' Brer Rabbit sat around tagedder, watchin' da smoke comin' up from da blackened Holler.
"Dey don't believe me cause I'z always playin' jokes an' lying."
"Dey don't believe me 'cause I'z always tryin' ta get folks in Brer Fox's cookin' pot."
"We gotta change some things aroun' here."
No Greater Love
Sometimes good things come wrap up in terrible lookin' packages. De fire in de holler do some hurt. One little rabbit be made an orphan. Brer Rabbit decide it be time ta do some good, so he take dat orphan inta his hole.
Brer Rabbit such a bad example ta his "son", dat soon his son, Junior, be playin' tricks on him all de time. Brer Rabbit gets mad at Jr. Rabbit for playin' tricks on him. Jr. Rabbit be de only one smart enough ta trick his dad, an' he do it regularly, for fun, a couple times a week, jist like Brer Rabbit has been doin' for years ta everyone in de Holler. But, Brer Rabbit don't like bein' on de receivin' end. So, he shout, spank an' threaten his boy. Shure dat Dad don't love him no more, an' very sad, he left de Briars.
Now, Brer Fox, he jist got home from his trip ta try ta bring Sonny back. Dat don't work. An' he not very happy.
Brer Rabbit, he don't know dat Brer Fox already back. Maybe if'n he do know dat, he not let his boy go out like he done.
Brer Fox saw Junior walkin' down de road from far off, an' he kin tell he warn't watchin' for traps. Seein' his chance, Brer Fox quickly set a trap.
Brer Rabbit begin ta wonder about his boy.
Outside, it had jist rained, which made it easy ta see tracks. Brer Rabbit follow de fresh tracks, an' got out on de road jist in time ta see him disappear inta Brer Fox's sack. He shout out, "No!" dat echo throughout de holler. Brer Fox hear him shout an' ran quickly ta his cabin, lockin' all windows an' doors so Brer Rabbit kaint trick him out of his catch. Through de window, Brer Rabbit kin see his son plopped on de table, tied up, but not tryin' no way ta escape, not even thinkin' about tryin'. After tryin' every way ta get in, Brer Rabbit finally offer ta trade hisself for his son. Jr. Rabbit kaint believe his ears, dat his dad offer ta trade his life for his son.
Brer Fox don't believe it neither. Finally, Brer Rabbit convince him by tyin' hisself up on de doorstep, an' gettin' Brer Fox's word ta release Jr. after he tie up Brer Rabbit real good inside de cabin.
"An' I won't make no tricks ta escape, neither."
"What if I don't let Jr. go now?"
"Ya give yar word... and, if ya don't keep yar word, I pray it will bug ya de rest of yar miserable life!"
Brer Fox tink about it for some time, den say, "Well, I kaint eat two rabbits anyhow," an' untie Jr. As he took him ta de door, instead of jist settin' him down outside, he raise him up a little an' kick him hard, out by de wood shed, jist for meanness. Den he lock de doors.
Finally, Jr. begin thinkin', dis time about gettin' his Dad out. "I've got ta get dat front door open. Well, if I kin get Brer Fox ta come out of de door, it will be open!"
So, Jr. snuck up on de roof an' jam de brush inta de chimney. He den jump down an' ran around an' wait jist behind de front door. Smoke begin ta pour out inta de cabin below from de fire under de stewpot.
Shore enough, Brer Fox ran out de door. But, before goin' up on de roof, he look right at Brer Rabbit, "Remember, ya give yar word ya ain't gonna use none of yar tricks ta escape!"
"Yessuh," agree Brer Rabbit.
As Brer Fox rush up on de roof ta clear de chimney, Jr. rush inta de cabin an' lock de door. Den, he open de back window an' drop his dad out. He close de window behind him.
Meanwhile, Brer Fox comes down an' finds de door locked. Once he got it inta his mind ta get inta de door, he don't think about anythin' else. He threaten Brer Rabbit, he bang on de door, he shout an' scream. Finally, he grab an old dead log an' ram dat door until it tore off de hinges.
Meanwhile, out back, Brer Rabbit, true ta his word, don't try ta escape. So, Jr. put him on his back an' carry him down de hill. At de bottom of de hill, he too tired ta go no further, so he start ta drag him. It be hard on Brer Rabbit's rump, but he don't say nothing. He proud of his son.
Brer Fox, finally inside, kin see de cabin empty. He look out de back window an' follow doze fresh tracks down de hill, seein' Jr. about halfway ta de Briars draggin' his dad. He took off running.
I don't know why, but Brer Fox don't run as fast as he kin. Maybe he tired, maybe he jist gettin' old. Maybe it be somethin' about Jr. riskin' his life ta save his dad, an' his dad keepin' his word about not tryin' ta escape on his own.
Brer Fox got ta de Briars jist as Jr. pull his Dad inta de hole.
Safe inside de hole, Brer Rabbit look up at Brer Fox an' say, "I kept my word."
"Me, too," say Brer Fox. An' he go home, not quite shore why he so happy.
De Big Fish Story
Dis iz da story 'bout how Brer Fox an' Brer Bear finally stop hatin' Brer Rabbit.
Dis happen not too long after Sonny take Brer Rabbit's place in de sack an' almos' get cooked in his pappy's kettle.
Brer Rabbit remember dat Sonny say dey shouldn't hate each udder no more. An' he wonder, "Do dis mean, Brer Fox not set no mo` traps?" He don't trust Brer Fox, but still, it be real nice for dem ta be friends again, like when dey be kids.
So, Brer Rabbit start ta spy on Brer Fox an' Brer Bear, ta see if dey still makin' traps, or if dey might be thinkin` about bein' his friends.
Dat mornin' Brer Fox say Brer Bear kin come fishin' wid him. Dat make Brer Bear very happy, 'cause he don't have no udder friends, an' even Brer Fox mostly not too friendly. Well, Brer Fox come out of de cabin furst, as usual. Den Brer Bear start ta come out wid his big, big pole (ever`thin` dat Brer Bear got iz big, even if small may be better.)
Now, Brer Bear clumsy, a little... well, maybe a lot. An' he have quite a time tryin' ta get dat pole outta dat cabin. He poke hisself, he knock de table an' chairs down, he darn near strangle hisself. An' Brer Fox, knowin' dat he gotta come back ta a twisted-around house usually be mad. But dis time, it too funny, even fo` him. So, he want ta laff on de inside, but he don't want ta sho` it on de outside. Brer Rabbit kin hardly keep quiet watchin' Brer Fox pretendin' not ta be laffin'.
Den, dey on der way. Brer Bear very happy. He make a tune, kinda like wistlin' an' hummin' altogedder. Sound kinda funny, don't make too much sense, but plenty loud. It so loud, dat when de hook on his pole grab Brer Fox's britches, he don't hear de shoutin'. No, Brer Bear jist hum an' whissle all de way ta de river, an' Brer Fox jist scream like he bein' roasted alive.
At de river, when Brer Bear finally lay down his pole, Brer Fox steamin' mad.
He kick Brer Bear on one side, den de udder afor Brer Bear even know he been kicked at all. Not dat de kickin' hurt him any... pretty hard ta hurt Brer Bear, on de outside. Brer Bear try ta say he sorry, but he talk so slow, an' Brer Fox talkin' an' kickin' an' runnin' around so fast, he never hear anyway.
Finally, Brer Fox stop kickin'... not because he not mad, but because his foot too sore, an' he don't want ta shout widout kickin'. So, he start ta fish when he mad... an' dat be de start of his trouble.
He trow in his hook. But, he trow it too far... clear ta de udder side of de river, whar all de old wet logs lay under de water. So, nat'raly, his hook get stuck.
He kin fix dat by walkin' up de river ta de bridge... 'bout half mile, walk back de udder side, an' wade out ta undo his hook. But, he too mad for dat.
So, he yank, an' tug, an' yank some mo'. Brer Bear try ta help, but Brer Fox want nuthin' ta do wid dat. Brer Fox pull so hard de pole bend near clean over. Den, he step in de mud, an' de pole do some yankin' of its own.
Brer Fox zip right off de bank, inta de water. Dat not too bad, but he so angry, he get mad at de pole instead of gettin' out of de water. So, while he keep yankin' de pole some more, he keep driftin' out ta deep, fast water, whar he kaint swim, at all.
Down de river he go, faster dan Brer Bear kin run.
Finally, he yell for help.
Brer Bear, he start runnin' right now. But Brer Rabbit, he sit an' tink 'bout it for while. Finally, de memories of de good times when dey be chillen make him get outta de tree an' race ahead of Brer Bear.
Now, as Brer Rabbit race along, he 'member dat Brer Fox done stash a rope under de bush ahead, casin' he need it ta trap Brer Rabbit some day. So, Brer Rabbit grab dat rope widout hardly slowin' down at all. He kin hear de sound of de waterfall ahead, so he run all de faster.
He get ta de edge of de waterfall jist `head of Brer Fox. He trow dat rope jist as hard as he kin, but it don't go an'whar as far as need be. Den he step back from de bank, so's he kin take a run bafore he trows it.
Jist den a great big paw clamp onta Brer Rabbit's arm. He look up, skaird like, ta see Brer Bear lookin' down at 'im.
"Let me do dat," say Brer Bear, in his slow speech.
Den, when Brer Bear trow dat rope, it zing out like it hook ta a shootin' star, jist as Brer Fox reach de top of de falls. An' it right over de top of Brer Fox. Kin nobody trow a rope better dan dat! But, when Brer Bear pull dat rope in, ain't nobody on de end. Brer Bear an' Brer Rabbit look ta each udder, mighty sad.
Den, dey hear dis, good an' loud, "Help!"
"Dat, Brer Fox," say Brer Rabbit. "He musta caught onta a rock at de top of de falls."
"Dat one!" shout Brer Bear. An' quick as ya kin tink 'bout it, he trow dat rope right over top of dat rock. But, don't work. Brer Fox holdin' onta dat rock wid boff hands, don't dare take a hand off ta grab de rope.
"I gots ta take it out ta 'im," say Brer Rabbit. Den he tie de end of dat rope 'round his stomach an' run out ta de falls. Lucky for 'im de falls got rocks, here an' dere, along de top. So, hop, hop, hop, he go, twistin' dis way an' dat ta keep his balance, specially since some of dem rocks let go when he step on dem.
Finally, he reach Brer Fox, but no way kin he get 'im ta grab hold dat rope, so he grab hold of Brer Fox wid boff legs an' boff arms. Den he shout, "Pull, Brer Bear, pull!"
Soon as Brer Bear pull, de two on de end of de rope, dey come off de rock an' under de water. Dat water make de pullin' powerful hard, even for Brer Bear. All de time he pullin' he don't know whedder he pullin' one or two (he don't know iff'n Brer Rabbit kin hold onta Brer Fox 'gainst dat powerful river.)
Soon, he see dose big ears of Brer Rabbit, but no Brer Fox yet. But, soon 'nuff, outta de water come de heads of Brer Rabbit an' Brer Fox, spittin' an' sputterin'.
Once dey on de shore, dey jist stand dere for while, tryin' ta get dere breff.
Den Brer Rabbit 'member dat he very tired, an' bein' dis tired, he kaint take chances dat Brer Fox is now a friend. So, likkety split, he run off home, wonderin' all de way if he shoulda taken a chance on Brer Fox.
Brer Fox's Big Decishun
After da big fire an' da Big Fish Contest, Brer Bear an' Brer Rabbit becomes good friends.
But, even after Brer Rabbit rescue Brer Fox from de river, he still decide he'z gonna ketch Brer Rabbit once an' for all.
"Why ya wanna do dat?" aks Brer Bear.
"So Sonny kin come live here wid me."
"We ain't gonna hunt Brer Rabbit no more!" say Brer Bear loudly, standin' up ta Brer Fox for da first time in his life.
"We ain't...?" say Brer Fox, rubbin' his chin, an' tryin' ta decide what Brer Bear be up ta. "What we gonna do?"
"Go fishin'."
Brer Fox tink about dat for a while. He tink about how hard it be ta ketch Brer Rabbit. He tink about how much he want Sonny ta come live with him. "I ain't goin' fishin'!" he say finally.
"Why not?" aks Brer Bear, disappointed.
"I'z gonna get Sonny first. Den, ya an' I an' Sonny... an' Brer Rabbit... iz goin' fishin'."
"Does dat mean we ain't gonna hunt Brer Rabbit no more?"
"No more!" agree Brer Fox.
"Hallelujah!" say Brer Bear as he skip (at least, he do da best skip a bear kin do!), yes indeedy, he skip down ta da Briars ta tell Brer Rabbit da huntin' be over an' Sonny be comin' back.
Good Times
When Sonny Fox come back, Brer Fox invite Brer Rabbit ta go fishing.
Brer Rabbit don't trust Brer Fox an' stay on de udder side of de pond with Sonny. Brer Rabbit's pole bend over, almos' touchin' de water.
"Ya got a big un!" shout Sonny.
"Shore 'nuff," shout Brer Rabbit (he shout 'cause he so excited).
"Dat Grandpappy?"
"Don't tink so," pant Brer Rabbit, gettin' tired, tryin' ta haul dat big fish in.
Sonny an' Brer Rabbit don't notice Brer Fox runnin' over ta dere side of de pond.
Even with Sonny helpin', both he an' Brer Rabbit about ready ta be pulled inta de water. Den Brer Fox reach out, grab de pole, an' land de big fish (dere still no bedder fisherman dan Brer Fox).
Lookin' at Brer Fox standin' so close, Brer Rabbit gets scared, but Brer Fox don't take advantage.
Brer Rabbit Goes Flyin'
One day Brer Fox be inside his cabin when he got an idea, "I'z got it! I finally figure a way ta get dat..." But den he stop talkin' an' look around him. He ran ta de windows an' peek outside. He ran ta de front door, snuck outside an' look around de corners of de cabin. Den he race around one way, den de udder.
Brer Bear watch all dis, aksin' questions like, "Whatchu doin'?" an' "Lose somethin'?"
Brer Fox don't say a word. He climb up on de roof, an' look around de chimney an' den down inta de chimney. Finally, he comes back down. "Brer Rabbit ain't 'round here nowhar!"
"So?"
"I done discover a way ta get even wid him for all dem tricks he play on us!"
Dis worry Brer Bear. He'd grown ta like dat ol' rabbit, an' he don't want ta see Brer Fox huntin' him again. "Duh, get even or ketch?"
"Nah, I ain't out ta ketch him, jest teach him a lesson. But, I need yar help, Brer Bear!"
"Really? Ya think Ah kin do it?"
"Well, it's pretty hard.... But I think ya kin."
"Den, Ah kin! What ya need me ta do?"
"I want ya ta be quiet. Don't say one more word, no madder what Brer Rabbit say an' no matter what Brer Rabbit do. Okay?"
"Duh, Ah kin do dat!"
"Good."
Brer Fox grab lots of stuff out of his tool shed an' head up ta Old Baldy. Old Baldy be de tallest hill in de holler. Years ago all de trees burn down off'n dat hill, leavin' a round bald spot near de top whar de wind be de strongest in de holler.
Brer Fox dump all his stuff up on top of Old Baldy an' begins hammerin'. Each time he hammer, ya kin here it everywhar in de holler....
"Bang," go de hammer.
Den, "Bang," go de echo off a distant hill. Den, "Bang," off anudder hill, but not so loud. Den, "Bang... bang... bang," off some more hills, but ya kin hardly hear it.
Dat de way it be in de holler.... Anybody makin' noise... everybody hear it. I guess dat why dey call it de holler... 'Cause anytime anybody holler, everybody hear!
Brer Bear want ta aks Brer Fox what he building, but he supposed ta be quiet... an' he try his darndest... no matter how hard it be.
Pretty soon Brer Rabbit come by, 'cause he always curious. "Howdy, Brer Fox!"
"Howdy."
"Howdy, Brer Bear!"
But Brer Bear don't say nuttin.
Brer Rabbit tink it strange for Brer Bear ta be so quiet, but he don't think about it too much, 'cause he kept lookin' at dat thing Brer Fox making. "Whatcha buildin', Brer Fox?"
"Nuttin."
"Ah, come on! Ya got somethin' dere! What iz it?"
"Nuttin."
Den, Brer Rabbit got quiet for a bit, 'cause he know it warnt doin' no good ta talk ta Brer Fox. By now, what Brer Fox be buildin' look like a box... a skinny, tall box.
"Whatcha got in dat box?"
"Nuttin."
"Kin I take a look?"
"No!"
Brer Fox tie a big long string ta one side of de box. Den he unroll de rest of de string as he walk down de hill.
"Whats he makin'?" whisper Brer Rabbit ta Brer Bear.
Brer Bear almos' say, "Duh, I don't know," but he jist barely able ta keep quiet.
Brer Rabbit jist stare at Brer Bear, but he stare longer at dat box. He fold his hands behind his back an' walk around it. He look down de hill at Brer Fox.
Brer Fox jist messin' with dat ball of string, like it be tangled.
Den, Brer Rabbit start walkin' around dat box real serious, lookin' real close when he tink Brer Fox warnt lookin'. Den he hop up high in de air ta get a better look.
Brer Bear goin' ta remind Brer Rabbit he warn't supposed ta look inside, but he 'member he warn't supposed ta say nuttin'.
Brer Rabbit hop higher, but still kaint see nuttin'. He look down de hill, but Brer Fox warnt lookin' back. Den he go on de udder side of da box, whar Brer Fox kaint see him, even if'n he do look. He climb up de side of de box...
Brer Bear stands up ta shout at him not ta look inside, but he 'member he supposed ta be quiet. He wave his hand at Brer Fox ta tell him dat Brer Rabbit be lookin' inside da box, but he don't say nuttin'. He jist waved... an' waved... an' waved...
Brer Rabbit don't see nuttin' in da box, so he got down. He walk around dat box again... "Dere got ta be somethin' in dat box!" Den, his curiosity got de best of him, an' he decide ta get inside de box ta get a closer look. As he climbin' up inta da box, Brer Bear be jumpin' up an' down an' wavin'...
But, Brer Fox don't pay no attention.
As soon as Brer Rabbit got all de way in da box, Brer Fox let out a shout, "I got him!" an' begins runnin' down de hill holdin' onta dat string tied ta dat box. De box tip over. De wind caught dat box, an' dat box took off inta da air with a scared rabbit inside.
Dat strong wind lift dat box higher an' higher.
Brer Fox shout an' laugh an' shout an' laugh.
Brer Rabbit jist let out one loud "Ahhhhhhhh!" dat don't stop.
At first, Brer Bear jist stare... an' den, he understands de trap dat Brer Fox talk about. An' he start laughin' too.
Well, with Brer Fox shoutin' an' laughin'... an' Brer Rabbit goin' "Ahhhhh!" without stopping, an' Brer Bear laughin' his big bear laugh, it warnt long bafore everybody in de holler comes ta Old Baldy ta find out what all dat noise about.
Brer Bear kaint stay quiet no more, so he go around tellin' everybody jist what be happenin'. Soon, even Brer Rabbit hear all dat laughin'. Den, he stop goin' "Ahhhhhh!"
"Uh, Brer Rabbit?" aks Brer Fox, tryin' not ta laugh. "Dat ya up dere?"
After a piece of quiet, Brer Rabbit say, "Yeah!"
"Uh, Brer Rabbit... tink ya like ta come down from up dere?"
Again, after some quiet, "Yeah."
"Say 'Please'."
Now, dat be da end of dat. Warnt no way Brer Rabbit goin' ta talk anymore ta Brer Fox... he too embarrassed.
"Uh, Brer Rabbit?" call out Brer Fox. "My arms iz gettin' kinda tired. I kaint hold on no more."
But, dere warnt no sound comin' back from dat kite.
"I'll jist tie dis here rope ta da tree branch here.... Ya shore ya don't want ta get down now?"
Again, dere warnt no sound from dat kite.
Now, ya know how it iz with a kite in a strong wind... If'n ya don't pull it down, it gonna jist stay up dere. An' stay up dere it did!
It be gettin' pretty dark by now, so everybody drift on back home. Last ta go be Brer Fox. Dis be da happiest day in his life, but he do finally get tired.
Brer Rabbit mad at hisself for bein' so curious! He mad at Brer Fox for ketchin' him in dis trap! He mad at da folks in da holler for laughin' at him! He even mad at Brer Bear for not sayin' nuttin'!
Den he remember all de times he trick udder peoples. Especially da time he got both Brer Bear an' Brer Fox tied upside down in da holler meetin' place, an' everybody laugh at dem! He begin ta simmer down a little. In fact, he simmer down enough ta put his thinkin' cap on an' start workin' on a way out of dis kite.
Ya know how sometimes, when ya get so mad ya don't think? Well, Brer Rabbit decide he better not do dat no more! He start to tink for real.
"If'n I want da kite ta come down... how kin I do dat?" he tink ta hisself.
"I'd pull it down!" he decide.
"But, I ain't down dere ta pull on it! Dat end iz tied ta da tree," he tink.
"Well, why kaint I pull it down from up here?" he aks hisself. An' dat what he do... until da kite got so low dat dere warnt no more wind, an' rabbit an' kite falls da rest of da way.
Brer Rabbit still gots his thinkin' cap on... so he start thinkin' how he kin get even with Brer Fox. Den, he start gettin' an idea! He quickly got da kite flyin' again, high up in da sky. Den, he lay down under a tree an' wait.
Pretty soon, he hear some noises in da dark, but he don't say nuttin'.
Den, he hear Brer Fox call out, "Brer Rabbit! Ya okay up dere in dat kite?"
But, dere warnt no answer from dat kite.
"If'n ya want me ta let ya down now, I kin!"
Again, dere warnt no answer from dat kite.... so Brer Fox go back home.
Den, Brer Rabbit got da rest of da idea. He untie dat rope an' let dat kite go. As soon as dat kite finds out it warnt tied ta dat tree no more, it start divin' for da ground an' land with a crash.
Da next morning, Brer Fox comes back ta Old Baldy nice an' early. I guess Ol' Brer Bear be sleepin' in.
"Brer Rabbit! Did ya have a good night sleep up dere?" Brer Fox aks, laughin'.
But, when Brer Fox look up, dere warnt no kite! An' dere warnt no rope tied ta da tree! Den, Brer Fox begin ta get worried. He call out, "Brer Rabbit! Ya okay?"
But, Brer Rabbit don't say nuttin'.
Den, Ol' Brer Fox stands on top of Old Baldy, callin' an' lookin'.... callin' an' lookin'. Finally, he saw bits of dat broken old kite on a treetop about two miles away. He ran dat way as fast as he kin.
Brer Rabbit jist smile, got up real slow, an' start walkin' da same direction dat Brer Fox ran.
Brer Fox gettin' tired... an' hoarse from shoutin'... an' worried (He do love dat little trickster rabbit, especially since dey decide ta be friends.)
Den, Brer Rabbit lay down in a pile of soft leaves an' jist say, "Ohhhhh!" real quiet.
Brer Fox hear him an' comes runnin' over. "Ya okay, Brer Rabbit?"
But Brer Rabbit jist say "Ohhhhh!"
"Now, don't ya move at all! I get ya back ta a nice soft bed an' we'll get ya fix up right quick!"
An' Brer Rabbit jist say, "Ohhhh!"
Brer Fox carry Brer Rabbit an' walk back real slow an' soft, tryin' real hard not ta hurt Brer Rabbit.
By da time Brer Fox got back ta his cabin, he dead tired. "How ya feelin', Brer Rabbit?"
Brer Rabbit open one eye... den da udder eye. Den he smile, an' say, "I be okay. Jist set me down real easy."
As dat tired ol' fox set him down, Brer Rabbit tap one foot on da ground, "Yep, dat foot okay." Den, he tap da udder foot on da ground an' say, "Dat foot okay, too!" Den he hop a few hops... "Yep, hopper okay!"
By now, Brer Fox real puzzled. "Ain't ya hurtin', Brer Rabbit?"
"Nah, I'z okay."
"How'd ya get outa dat kite widout gettin' hurt all over?"
"Well, I tell ya. Dat first hop be da highest hop I ever took. An' my hopper jist took over from dere. Dat second hop be almos' as high as da first. It took me darn near 20 hops bafore I kin stop!"
Brer Fox iz beginnin' ta wonder now.
Brer Rabbit start laughin' an' hoppin' some more an' doin' summersalts in da air.
By now, Brer Fox shore he'd been tricked. He warn't shore how, but he know somethin' be fishy. "Come on now, how'd ya get outa dat kite bafore it crash.
But Brer Rabbit never answer dat question... an' Brer Fox lost lots of sleep tryin' ta answer dat question hisself... an' Brer Rabbit got da last laugh.
Brer Rabbit jist love corn. Dat his favorite meal. Every spring, while de ground still brown, he go over ta Farmer Johnson's farm (Farmer Johnson de onlyest one who not an animal in de whole holler. He be a man... but, he be a pretty good man). Dere Farmer Johnson be, out in his garden, hoein' a row an' plantin' corn seed. Brer Rabbit love corn so much, he come ta de hill by Farmer Johnson's patch, an' hide, an' watch... as Farmer Johnson plant, weed, water an' weed again.
Den, in de fall, when de corn comes ripe, Brer Rabbit sneak inta dat corn patch an' fill his arms with doze great big ears. Sometime, Farmer Johnson see him, an' shoot his shotgun at him. But, he always miss. Ya'd think by now, Farmer Johnson be a better shot!
Brer Rabbit fill up his corn shed for de winter. But, one summer, he notice dat de more corn he put in it, de less corn he gots! Den, he decide ta try a trick. He put de biggest ear of corn he gots, right on top, so he kin see it real good. Den, he go ta get some more corn. When he comes back, dat big ear of corn gone!
Den, Brer Rabbit know somethin' wrong. Dis time, he go whistlin' down de road, jist like he goin' ta get some more corn. But, soon as he gets over de hilltop, he slip inta de woods an' sneak back ta his corn shed. Shore enough, after waitin' a little while, Brer Rabbit see Roger Raccoon come out of de bushes. Roger Raccoon look ta de right, den he look ta de left. He look high, an' he look low. He don't see nobody ('cuz Brer Rabbit hidin' real good). Soon, he take a armful of corn from de corn shed.
Roger Raccoon jist a young raccoon in de neighborhood. He often comes ta Brer Rabbit's house ta listen ta him. He figure Brer Rabbit be de smartest an' bravest animal in de holler, an' when he grows up, he want ta be jist like Brer Rabbit.
Brer Rabbit hoppin' mad, but he don't say nuthin. He jist follow Roger Raccoon ta see whar he put de corn.
Roger Raccoon stackin' de corn in a cave by his home. When Roger Raccoon gets done stackin' his corn, he comes out ta find a hoppin' mad Brer Rabbit blockin' his way!
"What ya doin', stealin' my corn!?"
"Well, Brer Rabbit, I jist see ya takin' it from Farmer Johnson, so's I figure it all right ta take it from ya."
"But dat's stealin' my corn!"
"Ya're stealin' Farmer Johnson's corn."
"Well, I'm riskin' gettin' my hind end shot up with Farmer Johnson's buckshot, an' ya take no risk at all!"
"Well, Farmer Johnson works all summer for his corn. An' ya don't work at all."
Brer Rabbit kin see he not winnin' dis argument, but he not ready ta quit. He still very mad at Roger Raccoon.
"But, Brer Rabbit, I wants ta thank ya very much."
"Oh yeah? For what?" say Brer Rabbit, eyein' de raccoon suspiciously.
"For teachin' me ta be a thief."
"Teachin' ya ta be a thief?!"
"Yeah. I use ta think 'bout bein' a farmer, jist like Farmer Johnson, 'til I see ya find a better way. Heck, stealin's better than workin' anytime."
Brer Rabbit thinks about dat for a long time. He kin see dat he not doin' a good thing if he teachin' Roger Raccoon not ta work. Sometime when we do somethin' wrong, it's like dat. It don't seem so bad for us ta do, until we see someone else do it. Den, we kin see de bad.
"It ain't no good ta steal," lecture Brer Rabbit.
"Why not? Ya steal."
"Yeah, I steal, but it ain't no good."
"Why not?"
"Well, I never know a rich thief. Most of dem end up poor, 'cuz dey never learn ta work. An', few of dem's got any friends, 'cuz dey's always hurtin' folks... An'... an'..."
"Den, why do ya go thieving?"
"Well, I ain't gonna do it no more."
"No more?"
"No more."
"Ya gonna quit, jist like dat?"
"No. De Good Book say, ya got ta put back what ya stole when ya quit stealing."
"Does dat mean I gots ta put yar corn back in yar corn shed?" aks Roger Raccoon sadly. Roger Raccoon want dat corn, but, he really respec' Brer Rabbit, an' if'n Brer Rabbit say ta do it, he do it.
"No, ya don't gots ta put it back in my corn shed..." say Brer Rabbit.
"I don't!?" exclaim de raccoon hopefully.
"No, we gots ta take it all back ta Farmer Johnson."
"Farmer Johnson!? De one with de big gun?"
"Yessuh..." say Brer Rabbit, a little slower dis time, "de one with de... big gun." Brer Rabbit took a big swallow.
Brer Rabbit an' Roger Raccoon load up de wheelbarrow tagedder, but when it comes ta takin' it up ta Farmer Johnson's front door, Brer Rabbit wants ta go alone. He quietly stack de corn, too scared ta even whistle. Den, jist bafore runnin' off with de wheelbarrow, Brer Rabbit rung de doorbell.
Farmer Johnson surprised ta find all de corn on his doorstep. He don't know whar it come from, but he do know whar it going. While he in de back stackin' de corn in his cornshed, he hear his doorbell ring again. He race around de corner of de house ta find anudder stack of corn, but nobody in sight. Dis time, he quickly move de corn behind de house an' jist dump it, an' den sneak around ta de front, with his gun. He hide hisself real good.
Brer Rabbit, bafore he gets inta Farmer Johnson's yard, he look right, den he look left. He look high an' he look low, but he never seen nobody ('cuz Farmer Johnson hidin' real good). While Brer Rabbit stackin' de corn, Farmer Johnson sneak around between him an' de gate. Roger Raccoon see Farmer Johnson sneaking, but Brer Rabbit tell him not ta make a sound, so he don't know what ta do.
"What ya doin'?" shout Farmer Johnson.
Brer Rabbit almos' done jump outta his skin. "Well... well.... Farm... Farm... er.. Ja... Ja... Johnson. How... How... how... how..."
"I'm doin' fine. What ya doin' here with dat dere corn?"
"I... I... I... done... done... find it."
"Whar'd ya find dat corn?"
"I... I... I... done... find it ... in my... my... corn shed."
"How'd dat corn get inta yar corn shed?"
"I... I... I... done... stole it."
Now, Farmer Johnson done know Brer Rabbit stole dat corn. He fire his shot gun near everytime Brer Rabbit sneak inta de corn patch. What he really want ta know, iz why Brer Rabbit bringin' it back. "Why ya bringin' it back?"
"I... done decide... dat thievin' iz wrong."
"Oh! So ya're gonna bring it all back now?"
Brer Rabbit still starin' at Farmer Johnson shotgun, 'though it not point at him. "Yessuh."
"Why?"
"Well, 'cuz de Good Book say ta make rest... rest... rest..."
"Restitushun."
"Yessuh, it does!"
"Well," thinks Farmer Johnson carefully, for he really a good man. "What ya gonna do for corn dis winter?"
"I don't know," admit Brer Rabbit, 'cuz he ain't thought dat far yet. "I guess I betta get a job ta earn some money so's I kin buy some corn."
"Well, I kaint pay ya no money. But, if ya come here an' work every day, bright an' early..."
"What kinda work?" demand Brer Rabbit suspiciously.
"Weedin' 'n waterin' my garden. Shuckin' de corn. Feedin' de pigs corn on de cob. An' knockin' de kernels off de cob for de chickens ('cuz dey eat it better dat way)."
"Why should I come work for ya?"
"How much corn of mine did ya steal?"
"About a shed full."
"Kin dat last ya through de winter?"
"Yeah, about."
"Well, I'll pay ya one shed full of corn."
At first, dis surprise Brer Rabbit an' he say nothing. Den, he 'fraid he'd lose his first job if'n he don't say something. "Ya betcha! I'll work for ya!"
"Every day, 'til de snow flies."
"I'll be here every day bafore de sun gets up!"
"Don't get here bafore de sun. Dat time enough."
By now, Roger Raccoon decide dat turnin' from thief ta worker be a good way ta make it through de winter, so he comes up behind Farmer Johnson.
"Mister... Mister... Mister Johnson?" stutter de raccoon, still a little frighten of dat gun.
Dis surprise Farmer Johnson, an' he turn around ta see de little raccoon. "What ya want, Brer Raccoon?"
"I'z... I'z... I'z... wondering. Ya need anudder worker?"
"What ya willin' ta work for?"
"I... I... need a cave full of corn."
"A cave full of corn?!"
"Yessuh, an' I almos' got it, too."
"Ya did!? Whar'd ya get it from? I never seen ya around my corn patch."
"I stole it from Brer Rabbit's corn shed."
"Thievin' from de thief! My goodness."
"Well, I done see it not good ta live dat kind of life no more."
"Ya have, huh?"
"Yessuh."
Farmer Johnson quiet for a little, tinkin. "Well, kin ya fish?"
"Kin I fish!? Well, shucks, I'z de best fisherman in de holler. Even bedder dan Brer Fox."
"Oh yeah? What kinda bait ya use?"
"I don't use no bait. I go fishin' with my paw."
"Yar Paw! Well, what kinda bait does he use?"
"No, I don't mean my Pappy. I mean my paw... my right paw an' my left paw. I don't even need no pole nor line. I jist lean over de water real slow. Den, some fish comes over inta de shade from my shadow, ta get outta de hot sun. Pretty soon, anudder bigger fish comes over an' crowds dat first fish outta de way. Dis keeps happening, over an' over, until de fish gets big enough. Den, I flips it outta da water with my paw. In 'bout an hour, I kin get three, four big fish... enough ta last me for a week."
"Last for a week!? How ya keep dem from gettin' sour?"
"I smoke dem."
"Ya smoke fish?!"
"Yessuh. My Pappy taught me."
"Well, ya bring me three smoke fish a week, until da snow flies, an' I'll fill up dat cave of yars with corn. Deal?"
"Ya betcha, Mister Johnson! Dat's a deal!"
An' dat how a rabbit an' raccoon learn ta work instead of thieving.
Holler Olympics
Brer Fox be bored again (an' when Brer Fox gets bored, Brer Rabbit gets scared). When he use ta hunt Brer Rabbit, times always be exciting. When Brer Rabbit finds out dat Brer Fox iz bored, he set up de "Annual Holler Olympics".
"How kin it be annual? We ain't never done it before," say Brer Fox.
"What iz 'olympics'?" aks Brer Bear.
Brer Fox figure he'z gonna win everything. But Brer Fox iz in for a big surprise. Brer Beaver win de swimmin' race, Sonny an' Brer Rabbit tie for de footrace, an' Brer Bear win de weight lifting.
De last event be de pie eatin' contest. Brer Rabbit want Brer Fox ta win somethin'. He took Brer Bear back ta de kitchen ta "help". Brer Rabbit grab an armload of food an' start walkin' out de back with it.
"Whar ya goin' with dat?" aks Brer Bear.
"Goin' ta throw it out. I'm cleanin' up de kitchen."
"Don't do dat. I'll eat it up, an' save ya a trip."
Brer Rabbit load him up with lots of bowls of food, 'til de kitchen be likety spic clean.
At de pie eatin' contest, Brer Bear fall asleep.
Brer Fox winning, Brer Rabbit rootin' for him, but he makes too much noise an' wake up Brer Bear. With two minutes left, it look like Brer Bear be ketchin' up. But, accordin' ta de judges, Brer Fox wins by a bite.
"Let's repeat dis every year!" exclaim Brer Fox.
Brer Rabbit trick everybody in de holler so many times, dey jist get tired of it. Now, when peoples gets tired of somethings, sometimes dey do things dey don't usually. Well, in dis particular case, de holler peoples decide ta do things, an' work with peoples dey don't normally even think of workin' with.
Brer Fox begins de trick by chasin' Brer Rabbit out on de road. Brer Rabbit ran, wondering why Brer Fox be chasin' him (he thought dey was friends). He jumps inta his hole without looking, still wondering. He knocks hisself out. ('Cause Brer Bear stuff a big rock inta his hole).
Brer Rabbit wakes up settin' up on de cupboard in Brer Fox's cabin.
Brer Fox say, "Boy! Dat shore be good rabbit stew! I say dis stew be de only good thing dat Brer Rabbit ever done!"
Brer Rabbit lean back an' say, "Whatchu talkin' about? Ya may have me in yar cabin, but ya ain't got me in yar stew!"
"Yup," say Brer Bear, "it shore be a good rabbit stew! Ha, ha, ha!"
"Whatchu mean, 'stew'?! I still is! I'z right here! Iz ya blind?!" He stand up on de cupboard.
Dey don't answer, though he shout.
Brer Rabbit walk out de door, confused.
On de road he say "Howdy" ta Brer Possum. Now if dere be anyone in de holler who always say "Howdy", it be Brer Possum. But, not one word come out his mouf.
Now, Brer Rabbit start ta get desparate. He offer ta do chores for Momma Rabbit (somethin' he never think of doin' ever before). And, she never kin never turn down people's help, but, she never say a word.
Now, once a month, dey gots dis holler play. Dere never be no enemies dis night. (Don't know why. It's jist de rules)
Brer Bear say, "Shuddup!" in his normal loud voice. Den, everybody quiet. Dey 'fraid if dey don't be, dere be bear comin' after dem. Now, Brer Bear ain't so fast, but he don't give up. Dey may be runnin' all night.
Brer Rabbit gets up at dis holler meetin', sore from pinchin' hisself, an' offers ta do chores for everybody next Saturday. Now, dis be a big sacrifice for Brer Rabbit, 'cause dis be his fishin' day.
Everbody begins cheering an' laughin'.
"Ya know," say Brer Rabbit, "It almos' seem like y'all kin hear me."
"We kin!" dey all say. "An' we be glad fer ya ta do our chores!" Everbody say dis loud, but nobody louder dan Momma Rabbit.
Den Brer Rabbit, an' Brer Possum, an' Momma Rabbit explain der trick, proud as kin be.. Everbody sacrificed. Brer Bear haul dat big rock ta de Briars. Brer Possum turns down a howdy. Momma Rabbit pretends not a hear when somebody offers ta help her with chores (de furst time, dat is).
Everbody say dis is de best play of de year. An' it be de onlyest time dey kin 'member anybody pullin' such a good trick on Brer Rabbit.
He do his chores, an' he'z happy, 'cause he keep his word.
De End (fer now)
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