Number of visitors
Dey Used ta Be Friends
Peoples always aks me, "How come a bear and a fox live tagedder in de holler, an' call each udder "Brer" when dey don't eben belong ta de same fambly?" Ever'body know foxes live wid dere famblies, an' bears live tagedder, until da papa bear one day go huntin' an' forget whar his'n fambly live. "An'," peoples aks me, "how come dey hate dat smart little rabbit so much?"
Well Suh, I tell ya de story. In de early days, Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox an' Brer Bear jist younguns, an' good friends.
Brer Rabbit, he de bravest an' smartest. One day he look up at Baldy Peak. Dat de highest hill in de holler. Ta Brer Rabbit, it look huge, 'cause tings always look big when ya little. He decide he gonna be lookin' down from dat peak dat day.
So, he tell Brer Fox an' Brer Bear. Brer Fox always tink he in charge, but he not. Brer Rabbit make Brer Fox tink dat it be his idea ta climb Baldy Peak.
Brer Bear, he realize dat Brer Rabbit foolin' Brer Fox, 'cause he be pretty smart bafore de accident. But he always be makin' peace between Brer Rabbit an' Brer Fox, 'cause he proud of dis unusual friendship.
Now, Baldy Peak easy walkin' most of de trip. But, toward de end, it get steep an' dangdrous. It also be gettin' dark. "Mabbe it be time ta go eat," say Brer Fox, 'cause he not as brave as he pretend. He figure talkin' 'bout food make Brer Bear be on his side.
But Brer Rabbit show dem how fast he kin run up in no time, turn 'round an' dare dem ta foller. Now, no youngun' kin resist a dare. Been more stupidity done 'cause of a dare dan any udder word in de English language. U huh, dats de troof.
Den, here come de bad part. As a joke, jist bafore dark, Brer Rabbit skip down de steep mountainside on his fast little feet. Brer Bear try ta follow him an' fall. He fall so fast, he almos' beat Brer Rabbit down de hill. It be bedder if'n he had, 'cause den Brer Rabbit know he hurt. But he not know.
Now, Brer Bear hurt hisself real bad 'cause he bang his head on big rocks many times comin' down de hill. An' he lay dere all night full of chills
Brer Fox stay up on de steep part all night, by hisself, 'cause he 'fraid of de dark. In de morning, Brer Fox come down, an' rescue Brer Bear. Brer Bear hurt his head so bad, he not tink so good after dat, an' he speak real slow now.
Brer Fox an' Brer Bear hate Brer Rabbit after dat.
"Brer Rabbit! Brer Rabbit! Wake up!"
"Oh, howdy, Momma Rabbit..." (Everybody in de holler call her "Momma," even if deys not a rabbit an' even if'n dey not related ta her).
"Land sakes, chil'! Why ya walkin' down de road half asleep!?"
"Oh, I guess 'cause I ain't slept in couple days..."
"Why ya not sleepin'? Don't ya know dat's bad for ya?"
"I 'magine. But, I deserves it."
"How so?" She pretty concerned now, for she see dat Brer Rabbit's gots lots of worry.
"It my fault Brer Bear get hurt, an' kaint tink nor talk so fast now. I played a trick on him an' Brer Fox..."
"Do ya aks dem ta forgive ya?"
"I don't think dey gonna listen ta me..."
"Lord forbid! A fallin' out of friends! So, dey won't forgive ya?"
"No, ma'am, don't reckon so."
"Well, what ya did iz wrong."
"Yes, ma'am."
"So, ya gots ta say ya sorry..."
"I try, but dey don't listen."
"God'll listen ta ya."
Brer Rabbit decide ta try one more time ta be friendly. Brer Bear an' Brer Fox grab Brer Rabbit an' tie him up.
He tink dey iz jokin', "What game iz we playin'?"
"Ain't no game. We's gettin' ready for dinner."
"Whatcha havin' for dinner?"
"You!"
"Me!? Why would ya want ta eat me? Ya'd have ta kill me ta do dat!"
"Yep," say Brer Fox with a wicked smile.
Then Brer Rabbit understand dis iz serious, an' he quiet for a long time. He know he gots ta do some fast thinking.
Brer Rabbit say, "If ya cut me up with de rope on, ya be gettin' bits of rope in de stew an' have 'rope stew'."
So, Brer Bear take off de rope, but he still be holdin' him down.
Brer Rabbit start laughing. "Got an itchy spot on my head."
Brer Bear move his hand ta scratch Brer Rabbit on de head.
Then Brer Rabbit escape.
Brer Rabbit cry all night.
Brer Rabbit try ta meet Brer Bear in private, talk ta him, an' try ta make up for de wrong he done. At first, Brer Bear wants ta kill him. But, Brer Rabbit kin always get him ta laugh. So, dey become partial friends, 'cept when Brer Fox around.
Brer Rabbit work hard for many years ta earn back de friendship he lost one foolish night.
Greediness
Ol' Brer Rabbit be goin' hippity-hoppity down da road one day as happy as he kin be. He feelin' da sunshine, smellin' da pretty flowers of summer an' enjoyin' hisself lots. He so happy ta be alive, dat he don't notice dis circle of rope on da road 'til he hops right inta it! He jumps as quick as he kin, but somebody done yank it hard an' it pull up real tight around his legs.
"Yeow!" he cry. Try as he might, he kaint get away from dat rope.
Ol' Brer Fox be hangin' onta da other end of dat rope. He laugh an' call ta Brer Bear. "I got him! Yessuh, I got him! Look at dat ol' rabbit, Brer Bear, he's flippin' on da end of dis here rope, jist like a fish on da end of da line!"
In no time, Brer Rabbit done be tied up tight an' thrown over Brer Fox's shoulders, on da way ta Brer Fox's cookin' pot.
"We gonna have rabbit stew! Oh, boy, I kin taste it now!" laugh Brer Fox.
Brer Rabbit rack his brain ta find out some way ta get out of dis mess.
Brer Fox tie ol' Brer Rabbit ta a chair in his house, while he an' Brer Bear get da great big pot on da fire, an' start throwin' da veg'tables inta it.
"Mmmm, I kin taste dat stew now! Kaint ya, Brer Bear?"
"Duh, Yessuh!"
"Thank goodness!" say Brer Rabbit, from da corner of da room.
"Whaddyu say?" aks Brer Fox.
"I sez, thank Goodness," repeat Brer Rabbit.
"Whyddya say dat?" aks Brer Fox. "Don't ya know I'z gonna put ya in dis here pot an' eat ya?"
"Well, I say "Thank Goodness" 'cause ya don't get my Cousin Henry."
"Why ya glad I don't get yar Cousin Henry?"
"Well, 'cause I love my Cousin Henry, an' I shore don't want ya ta get him."
Meanwhile, Brer Fox scratch his chin at dis new thought.
"Besides, Ol' Cousin Henry won't fit in dat dere cookin' pot of yars."
"Whatchu talkin' about? Dis here's da biggest cookin' pot in dis holler!"
"Well, Cousin Henry iz da biggest rabbit in dis holler."
"Dare ain't no such thing as a bigger rabbit in dis holler, but what kin fit in dis pot! Not dat I seen, no way."
"Well, us rabbits around here, we never get ta eat nuttin' but veg'tables, so we'z all small. But, dat Cousin Henry, he go ta da city when he left home an' he live like a gendleman, eatin' all dat good food... an' he jist grew bigger dan all us udder rabbits!"
"I don't believe dat."
"I kin prove it ta ya."
"How?"
"I take ya whar he live, den ya kin see for yerself."
Brer Fox take off his hat an' scratch his head an' think about dis. "Whaddya think, Brer Bear?"
"Duh... I want ta eat 'im now. I'z hungry."
"We kin eat him after he sho us whar his cousin live!"
"I think we ought ta eat him right now," say Brer Bear, "Bafore he kin get away."
"He ain't gonna get away! An' iffin he does, I ketch him again, like I always done bafore."
"Ya always ketchin' him 'cause he always gettin' away."
"I kin ketch him any day of da year, 'cause I'z smarter dan he is!" say Brer Fox, gettin' angry, as he untie Brer Rabbit from da chair. "Now," say Brer Fox as he drag Brer Rabbit out of da door by da rope, "Whar yar cousin live?"
"Ooo...oww... ouch!" shout Brer Rabbit, as he bein' dragged behind Brer Fox. "Ya gonna have ta pick me up so I kin see. Let me set on Brer Bear's shoulders, den he kin hold onta da rope wid his hand."
"Okay," say Brer Fox, givin' Brer Rabbit ta Brer Bear.
Brer Bear grab Brer Rabbit by da neck an' raise his club over his head, "I gonna thunk him," say Brer Bear, "so'z he don't get away from us dis time."
"If'n ya thunk him," shout Brer Fox, grabbin' Brer Rabbit back until he done talkin', "he kaint show us whar his'z cousin lives!"
Brer Bear frown as Brer Fox lift Brer Rabbit high an' drop him on da big bear's shoulder.
"He'z over dat way," say Brer Rabbit from his perch on Brer Bear's shoulder.
Brer Fox be jumpin' around an' excited, even though he not quite shore a rabbit kin get dat big.
Brer Bear keep his eye on Brer Rabbit an' hold on tight ta da rope.
"Dat's it! Dat's it!" say Brer Rabbit, pointin' ta a large cave. "Dat's his house!"
Brer Fox size up da cave, "Dat's a mighty big hole. Ya shore yar cousin live dere?"
"He'z a mighty big rabbit!"
"Well, I go check it out," say Brer Fox.
"If'n ya go in da front way, he'z goin' out da back way!" warn Brer Rabbit.
"Jest what should I do, den?"
"Kin ya make a noise like a mighty big bear?" aks Brer Rabbit.
"Shure I kin," brag Brer Fox, givin' a big growl.
"Duh, I kin make a sound like a big bear, too," brag Brer Bear.
"But ya too big ta fit in dat cave!" say Brer Rabbit.
Brer Bear unhappy 'bout dat. He want ta try out his growl at scarin' da big rabbit.
"Lis'n, Brer Fox, ya go 'round ta da back door an' run in growlin' as loud as ya kin. Brer Bear kin stan' here an' ketch dat big ol' rabbit when he come runnin' out."
While Brer Fox around on da side, tryin' ta find da back door, Brer Bear squat in front of da hole, gettin' ready ta grab da big rabbit.
"Huh-uh," say Brer Rabbit, shakin' his head.
"Duh... what'sa madder wid ya?"
"I jist don't know if'n ya kin ketch 'im in yar arms..."
"What kin be bedder?"
"Maybe a rope..."
"Well, I ain't got no rope."
"Here, ya kin have dis one!" say Brer Rabbit, pointin' ta da rope tied around him.
"Golly, tanks!" say Brer Bear, takin' da rope off Brer Rabbit. Crouchin' beside da hole, Brer Bear form a loop with da rope, jist as he hear Brer Fox's growlin' an' hear somebody fallin' an' rollin' as he run through da dark cave.
Jist den, somebody come barrelin' out of da cave, an' run inta da loop Brer Bear holdin'. He pull da rope as tight as he kin.
"Yeow!" scream Brer Fox.
"Brer Fox! Whaddya doin' in da rope?"
"Why don't ya grab da rabbit?"
"No rabbit dun come out. Only you."
"Well, we mist 'im. At least we still got Brer Rabbit for our stew."
Brer Bear help Brer Fox take da rope off, then keep lookin' around an' scratchin' his head, "Whar dat rabbit go?"
"Whaddya mean!? Ya jist had da rope on him."
"No, I jist had da rope on ya."
"Whardya get da rope from?"
"Brer Rabbit give it ta me."
"Ya dum bear! Now, we got no rabbit at all!"
"Dya want me ta help ya ketch 'im again?"
Brer Fox then lose his temper an' hit Brer Bear with da rope all da way back ta his shack, whar he an' Brer Bear have thin veg'table soup for dinner.
De moral of dis story is, greed leads ta thin soup an' an empty stomach.
Da Thinkin' Rock
One day Brer Rabbit look out of his briar patch an' see Brer Fox up on da hill, sittin' on da thinkin' rock. Brer Fox be holdin' his chin an' starin' at da briar patch.
"Uh...ummm! Brer Fox thinking. Dat bad news!"
Brer Rabbit continue, with a worried look on his face, watchin' Brer Fox. Brer Fox's eyes suddenly lit up, an' his mouth spread inta a grin.
"Da bad news jist got worst!" groan Brer Rabbit, as he watch Brer Fox runnin' off ta get something, leavin' a dust cloud behind him.
Soon, Brer Fox back at da briar patch choppin' down da briars with an ax.
"Dis iz a mighty big briar patch, Brer Fox!" joke Brer Rabbit, but Brer Fox keep workin widout sayin' nuthin.
"Dis briar patch iz an important part of de hollers," lecture Brer Rabbit, gettin' worried. "It's... it's... like history. Once ya take out da briars, de hollers won't be da same no more!"
But Brer Fox jist keep workin'.
Brer Rabbit crawl out one of da back doors of da briar patch, an' go up ta da thinkin' rock above da briars. Da wind always fresh up dere, even on da hottest day. An' somehow, ya kin get above yar problems an' yar worries, an' do some serious thinkin' up dere.
Brer Bear comes by ta see what happenin'. He not been seein' Brer Fox hangin' around his usual places.
Day after day dis go on... Brer Fox choppin' down briars in da hot sun, Brer Rabbit puzzlin' on da thinkin' rock, an' Brer Bear sittin' in da cool shade, silently watchin' both of dem.
Suddenly Brer Rabbit's eyes lit up, an' his mouth spread inta a smile. "I'z got it!" he shout so loudly dat even Brer Bear hear him. But not Brer Fox. He too busy.
Da sun go down, an' Brer Fox go home, tired, dirty an' sweaty, but still, shore he beat ol' Brer Rabbit dis time. "When dere's no briar patch for dat Rabbit ta hide in, I kin ketch him for good!"
Brer Bear know somethin' goin ta happen now, so he stay on his shady rock watching. After dark he kin see Brer Rabbit come back whar Brer Fox been chopping. Brer Rabbit gots a stick with him an' he diggin' holes. Brer Bear kaint figure none of dis out.
Da next day, Brer Bear move up on da thinkin' rock, an' watch Brer Fox labor all day in da hot sun, choppin' briars. Sometimes he kin hear Brer Fox laughin' ta hisself thinkin''bout his victory over Brer Rabbit. Brer Bear kin see Brer Rabbit sittin' in da shade of da briars, chucklin' ta hisself... but not so loud dat Brer Fox kin hear him.
Brer Bear scratch his chin. "Dis iz mistarious!"
After da sun go down, Brer Fox go home hot an' tired, an' Brer Rabbit comes out singin' ta hisself an' diggin' holes. In da holes he puts da chopped up bits of briars. Den, Brer Rabbit disappear! Later, Brer Bear saw da rabbit back again, waterin' da sticks in da ground!
Dis same thing go on for several days, when suddenly Brer Bear's eyes widen an' he stands up laughin' with da biggest bear laugh da holler ever hear! Even Brer Fox look up from his chopping.
"Whachu laughin' at, Brer Bear?" demand Brer Fox.
"At chu!" laugh Brer Bear.
Brer Fox tore up dat hill faster dan da wind, grabbin' Brer Bear by da collar. "How come ya got da nerve ta laugh at me?" demand Brer Fox.
"Jist look down dere!" laugh Brer Bear.
"I iz lookin! More dan half da briars iz gone! It won't be long now!"
"Look harder!"
As Brer Fox let his anger quiet down, he do begin ta look. And, ta his surprise, da old briar patch be only half its size, but a new briar patch iz growin' up dat be four times bigger dan ever bafore. Da briars dat he been cuttin' down, Brer Rabbit been planting, spreadin' out da briar patch much more dan ever bafore.
Brer Fox go home early dat day, very sad, very tired, an' put his choppin' ax away.
Da moral of dis story iz dat everybody needs a thinkin' rock... a place ta get above yar problems an' do some thinkin'. Hope ya got one!
Brer Rabbit finds Grandma Rabbit cryin' one day because ten young rabbits go ta a birthday party an' been caught by Brer Fox. Brer Rabbit go ta rescue dem, but da door an' windows of Brer Fox's cabin iz locked tight.
He saw da baby rabbits huddlin' in da corner in fear. From da outside of da cabin, he got up real close ta a crack between da logs whar he kin see da baby rabbits. He whisper ta dem, "Say, tell me who iz da bravest rabbit."
One of da rabbits know Brer Rabbit's voice right away an' answer, "Henry is, Brer Rabbit."
"Henry, go up an' climb inta Brer Bear's lap."
"Why ya want me ta do dat?" aks Henry.
"Ya don't aks no questions. Ya jist do like I tellz ya."
Young Henry Rabbit slowly climb up inta Brer Bear's lap, very scared, an' quietly sat down. Brer Bear jist look at Henry, very curious. Brer Fox be too busy gettin' da fire goin' under da stew pot ta notice.
"Now whoz da bravest?" aks Brer Rabbit.
"Susie."
"Susie, go tickle Brer Bear under da chin."
Susie obey Brer Rabbit. An' so it go...
"Carrie, go climb on Brer Bear's foot an' start hoppin', like ya wuz on a horsie."
"John, go muss up Brer Bear's hair, an' play hide an' seek around his head with Billie."
Soon, Brer Bear be laughin' an' cuddlin' da little bunnies like dey iz his own grandchillen (which he don't have none of).
Finally, Brer Fox gots da kettle ready. "Okay, Brer Bear, let's skin dose rabbits an' have some tender rabbit stew."
"Skin dese precious rabbits?! Whatchu talkin' 'bout?"
Soon an argument be goin' dat ya kin hear all over da holler. Den, over by da door, John stands on Henry, Susie stands on John an' Carrie stands on Susie. Carrie den tall enough ta unlock da door an' Brer Rabbit scoop all ten of dem up in his arms an' rush dem back ta their mothers.
Moral: Ya kin find good in almos' anybody.
"But, I don't understand," say one of de kids lisnin' ta dis story. "If Brer Bear was a friend ta da bunnies, why do dey have ta run away?"
"Well, chil', we should always try ta find good in everybody, even a mean ol' bear. But, we need ta remember too, dat da bear may not be so good when he gets hungrier."
Da Mighty Mouse
Brer Rabbit got dis bright idea one day ta tunnel under Brer Fox's cabin. He figure dat he need a little "extra" if he gonna keep escapin' from Brer Fox.
He dig quietly, an' later, when Brer Fox an' Brer Bear iz out, he sneek in da cabin an' put a trap door in da wood box, right above his tunnel. Den, every day, 'bout da time dat Brer Fox makin' his plans for how ta make his traps, Brer Rabbit would crawl inta his tunnel an' lay below his trap door, lis'nin'.
Well, dis work fine for a while, until Brer Rabbit falls asleep an' don't hear 'bout da latest trap. When he wake up, he go out for some fresh air. He saw a mouse trapped by a big cat. Da cat jist playin' with da mouse, frightenin' him for a bit bafore takin' him ta dinner. Da cat remind him of Brer Fox an' da mouse... of hisself. So he take pity on da mouse an' scare da cat away.
Da mouse very grateful an' promise ta return da favor. Brer Rabbit jist laugh because he kin see no way dat mouse kin ever help him. Da mouse begged ta be taken along with him, so dat he kin help his "new friend". Finally, Brer Rabbit agree an' tuck da mouse inta his shirt pocket.
As Brer Rabbit hippity-hop down da road, da mouse keep movin' around in his pocket, tryin' ta hold on an' tryin' ta get comfortable. Maybe it be da mouse movin' around an' ticklin' him so much, or maybe it be because he falls asleep an' don't hear 'bout da latest trap... But suddenly, Brer Rabbit be hangin' upside down under a tree with a rope pull tight around his legs. Da mouse keep scootin' around, tryin' ta keep from fallin' out of his pocket.
Brer Fox be mighty careful dis time. Maybe it be because he hadn't even got near ta catchin' Brer Rabbit for weeks (ever since Brer Rabbit build his tunnel). No matter what Brer Rabbit say or how he try ta trick Brer Fox, Brer Fox pay no attention.
Soon, Brer Rabbit be wrapped head ta foot in rope an' tied ta a chair in Brer Fox's cabin. Da stew pot already boilin' in da fireplace... an' Brer Rabbit worry.
"Brer Bear, lez go get some more wood, ta make shore we haz enough fire ta cook da whole stew," Brer Fox say as he look at Brer Rabbit with a wicked smile.
Brer Rabbit iz worried speechless, but as soon as da door shut behind Brer Fox an' Brer Bear, da mouse scamper out of Brer Rabbit's pocket.
"Whatchu doin', little mouse?"
"I'z gonna free ya," he squeek.
Brer Rabbit smile as he tink of dat mouse tryin' ta untie da big knots in da ropes around him. He figure da mouse iz wastin' his time.
Suddenly, Brer Rabbit free from da chair! "How'd ya do dat?!" aks Brer Rabbit.
Da mouse point proudly at his two big front teeth, which he use ta chew through da rope. But, he don't have time ta chew through da ropes around Brer Rabbit, an' dey kin hear Brer Fox jist outside da door.
So, Brer Rabbit stands up with da ropes still around him from head ta foot, an' hop over ta da wood box. He able ta lift da lid with his hip an' fall in jist as Brer Fox comes in da door with an armful of firewood.
"Wherz dat rabbit?!" shout Brer Fox.
"Duh... he ain't unner dis chair," say Brer Bear, bent in half, lookin' very closely under each chair.
"I know he ain't unner dat chair! I want ta know whar he is! Now, start lookin' ever'whar!"
Meanwhile, in da woodbox, da little mouse iz workin' as hard as he kin ta chew apart da rest of da ropes. Soon, Brer Rabbit iz free, an' he slip out da trap door, droppin' inta his tunnel.
Brer Bear hear da trap door slam shut as Brer Rabbit drop through. But, when he open da wood box, all he see iz da empty box.
Well, sir, Brer Rabbit love dat little mouse after dat, an' tell him he kin come live in da briars, if he want. But, dat little mouse decide not ta live with Brer Rabbit, he go ta live in Brer Fox's cabin!
"Dat way, if'n ya get caught again, maybe I kin help out agin!"
Well, dat only made Brer Rabbit love dat little mouse all da more.
Da little mouse always keep a clean house an' doorstep tucked within da wall of Brer Fox's cabin, so Brer Fox never finds out he gots company. Brer Rabbit come by regularly ta drop a few kernels of corn at his back door, so he an' his family always gots plenty of food ta eat. And, from den on, Brer Fox gots a even harder time of keepin' Brer Rabbit, whenever he do ketch him.
Da moral of dis story is, everybody iz important.
Prayer
One day, Brer Rabbit hippity-hoppin' down da road, admirin' da sunshine. It shore a hot day, but Brer Rabbit love da clear blue skies an' gettin' high in da air so he kin look around an' see how things be. Maybe if he not been lookin' so much around him, he'd have seen a hat in da bushes up ahead. It look like Brer Bear's hat, an' wharever Brer Bear's hat is, dere be trouble.
Bafore Brer Rabbit know what happenin', he gets grabbed around da legs by Brer Bear an' around da neck by Brer Fox. And, bafore he kin get out da first line of his devious plan ta escape, Brer Fox stuffed a rag in his mouth an' tie another rag around his neck so he kaint spit da rag out. He kaint say a word!
Brer fox movin' fast. He tie Brer Rabbit's hands an' feet together behind his back with strong leather straps, so he kaint even hop or roll away.
"Ya always tryin' ta talk yar way out of my cookin' pot," laugh Brer Fox, "Well, dis time, ya ain't gonna talk yar way out, 'cause ya ain't gonna talk!"
For da first time in his life, Brer Rabbit iz really scared. I mean, always when hez caught, hez a little scared... but dat okay, 'cause it make him think harder. But, dis time, he much more dan a little scared.
"We gonna have a bar-b-q," chuckle Brer Fox, "right out here in da open! Ain't dat right, Brer Bear?"
"Yessuh, we is!"
In no time, Brer Fox an' Brer Bear gots a hot fire goin'.
Brer Rabbit made some mumblin' noises, like he tryin' ta talk. Really, he jist tryin' ta get Brer Fox or Brer Bear curious enough ta take da rag out an' hear what he gots ta say. But Brer Fox say, "I ain't interested in yar mumblin', Brer Rabbit, so ya best be quiet."
After a while, Brer Rabbit do be quiet. Brer Rabbit tink back ta when he'z a little bitty rabbit, sittin' on his momma's knee. She tell him, "Dere iz a God. An' He love ya, Brer Rabbit! An' iffin ya pray ta Him, He help ya! Uh-huh, ya bedder believe it!"
So, Brer Rabbit done decide ta believe it right den. "Dear God," Brer Rabbit think in his head. "I don't know much 'bout You, iffin You save mean old rabbits gettin' ready ta be roasted. But, iffin You do, I'll pray ta You every night as long as I live. I promise."
"Lissen ta dat wonderful quiet!" shout Brer Fox. "Ain't dat great? Dis iz de quietest meal we ever fix togeder with Brer Rabbit. I wish I'd done dis bafore!"
Then, Brer Fox put a pole under da leather straps around Brer Rabbit, so he kin roast him over da fire, clothes an' all.
Dat fire shore iz hot. It burn Brer Rabbit's whiskers, an' parts of his fur, an' his clothes begin ta smoke. It hot, it smoky, an' it hurt. But, Brer Rabbit jist keep right on prayin', with his eyes shut.
Pretty soon, Brer Rabbit felt somethin' funny. It felt like a bit of water on his ear. "What'z dat?" think Brer Rabbit ta hisself, as he twist around ta see whar da water comes from.
"Dere are clouds up dere!" tink Brer Rabbit. "An' deys rain clouds." Shore enough, pretty soon, da rain be pourin' so hard, it darn near put out da fire.
Well, Brer Fox an' Brer Bear don't plan on havin' enough wood ta roast Brer Rabbit in da rain, so dey gots ta go get some more.
While dey be gettin' da wood, da rain begin ta wet da leather tied around Brer Rabbit. An' I'll tell ya somethin'. Wet leather stretches. So, pretty soon, one of da ties around Brer Rabbit's hand got a little loose. He wiggle one hand free. In a little bit, he got da other hand free. But, Brer Fox an' Brer Bear be back with da extra wood now. Brer Rabbit be tryin' awful hard ta get his legs free, when Brer Bear cry out, "Hey, Rabbit, whatchu doin'?"
Brer Rabbit barely got one leg free when Brer Bear reach out ta grab him. Brer Rabbit jump down on da one free leg, an' hobble along, with da other leg still tie ta dat pole. Both Brer Fox an' Brer Bear iz runnin' jist behind him as he hobble an' jump, with a funny kind of jump, down da road toward da briar patch.
Jist as Brer Fox reach out ta grab him, Brer Rabbit jump inta da briar patch, but da pole got stuck on one of da briars.
"Hurry, Brer Bear, we gots ta get dat pole bafore Brer Rabbit gets his leg free from it!"
So, Brer Fox an' Brer Bear wade inta da briar patch, oohin' an' ouchin' as dey go. Finally, Brer Fox stands up on Brer Bear's shoulders so's he kin reach out over da briars an' grab dat pole.
But, what Brer Fox don't know iz dat Brer Rabbit don't no longer be tied ta dat pole. He crawl under da briars an' sneek up behind Brer Bear an' shout, "Ya-Hooo!"
Dis scare old Brer Bear so much, he jump up in de air, an' land on his back in de briars. An' Brer Fox, who be on his shoulders, sail out over da briars, an' land smack dab in de middle of dat whole briar patch.
Brer Bear got so many briars in his hide, he gots ta lay for three hours while Mama Bear pull each one out.
An' Brer Fox took de whole rest of da day, oohin' an' ouchin' his way out of dat briar patch.
Neither of dem think no more 'bout rabbit stew for two weeks, dey be so sore.
Wellsuh, Brer Rabbit remember dat rainy cloud in de middle of a long dry summer, an' pray ever night bafore he go ta bed. Yessuh, ever night, bafore he go ta bed....
"Same as ever!"
"Still gettin' caught once a week by dat sneaky fox?"
"Yeah, but, as ya kin see, I ain't got caught by da stew pot yet!"
"But, how long kin dat go on?"
"My wits will protect me!"
"Dere been some close calls?"
Brer Rabbit stop smilin' for a little as he remember da times he almos' don't get free.
"Well, it's time for us ta turn da tables on doze two hunters... whatdya call dem... Brer Fox an' Brer Bear?"
Cousin Rabbit an' Brer Rabbit huddle tagether ta plan how ta capture Brer Fox an' Brer Bear. Brer Rabbit bring a knife along with him next time he go out, so, in case he be caught, he kin cut up da rope.
Well, shore enough, it not hard for him ta get caught. But dis time, he cut dat rope up in ten pieces bafore Brer Fox an' Brer Bear get dere.
Brer Fox plenty mad 'bout losin' his best rope, so he tore after Brer Rabbit, runnin' as fast as he kin. Brer Rabbit stay jist ahead of him, an' Brer Bear warnt too far behind, gaspin' for air.
As soon as Brer Rabbit got a little tired, he trade places with Cousin Rabbit, who look jist like him. An' Brer Fox an' Brer Bear chase a different rabbit, without knowin' it. It go like dis all day, until Brer Fox an' Brer Bear warn't really runnin' no more, dey be so tired. Then, Brer Rabbit lead dem ta da traps!
Soon, both Brer Fox an' Brer Bear fall inta a big hole in da ground (dey kaint see it ahead of time, 'cause Brer Rabbit an' Cousin Rabbit done cover it with bushes ta hide it).
It took a long time for dem ta get out of dat hole. An' dey don't go two steps bafore a big ol' log falls on dem (from another trap de rabbit cousins done set). Now, dey warnt jist tired... too tired ta be mad... dey also bruised up. But, dey keep on chasin' Brer Rabbit (and Cousin Rabbit).
Soon, da two rabbits lead dem ta da holler meetin' place, in da center of da holler, whar all da big meetin's be held. As tired ol' Brer Fox an' too tired Brer Bear stumble inta da meetin' place, dey flip upside down an' be yanked up inta a tree! Dey done got caught in 'nother trap!
Dis time, dey be too tired ta get free in spite of everyone in da holler laughin' at dem. So, dey spend da night dere upside down, though it be hard for Brer Fox ta sleep with Brer Bear's snorin'.
In da mornin', dey gots jist enough energy ta free demselfs, but never again do dey chase Brer Rabbit in da open country.
Buildin' Bridges with a Shovel
Brer Rabbit play a trick on Brer Bear, tyin' his string of fish ta a bush. Now, dis be de best string of fish Brer Bear done ever caught, an' he be right proud of dem.. When he start ta go, Brer Bear notice de string of fish wouldn't come along. Bein' Brer Bear, he don't stop ta think why dey not moving, he jist start tugging. An' tugging, an' tugging. Finally, de string broke an' dat string of fish go flying, all of dem back inta de pond. Brer Rabbit start laughin', but Brer Bear be very mad an' tell him, "Jist ya wait! I'll get even wid ya tomorrow."
Brer Rabbit know Brer Bear be mad, an' decide he better do some investigatin' de next day. De night bafore, however, Brer Bear snuck out an' walk all de way ta de badlands, settin' a trap with one of de holes dat be all over down dere.
De next morning, when Brer Bear wake up, he cook his super best breakfast (bacon an' eggs), which ya kin smell anywhar in de holler. De smell wake Brer Rabbit up. He rush over, jist in time ta see Brer Bear leavin' de cabin. Brer Bear look his ordinary stupid self, but he bein' clever, really, for once. He look out de corner of his eye, through a hole in his hat, until he spot Brer Rabbit watchin' him from de bushes, an' he smile. But, he don't let Brer Rabbit know dat he know he bein' follered. Then, he go ta de badlands, an' lead Brer Rabbit ta his trap. Brer Bear took big steps, an' walk right over de trap. Brer Rabbit, with his little steps, step right on it. But, bein' light, he don't break clear through. He struggle ta get out. Brer Bear comes runnin' ta grab him. Jist as Brer Bear got dere, Brer Rabbit got out. In his excitement, Brer Bear forgot 'bout de trap, an' step on it. He falls flat down, his legs danglin' in de trap, an' his wind knocked out. Now, if he didn't have his wind knocked out, he could of jist clumb out of dat trap. But, he not thinkin' of gettin' out, he thinkin' 'bout gettin' his breath. An' since his bottom iz heavier than his top, he jist slid right inta dat hole.
Brer Rabbit laugh at him from above an' make jokes bafore goin' home. For de next three days, Brer Rabbit aks Brer Fox whar Brer Bear be.
"He probably got lost in de woods an' spent de night dere," Brer Fox figure.
Brer Rabbit begin ta wonder if he never got out of de trap. He stop by, bringin' some of his bestest briarpatch jam (he know whar de best berries were, whar de briars were sharpest an' no one else go. An' his jam be de bestest ever.
"Now, put yar hands over yar head so dis jar don't bang ya on de head. Here it goes, I'm droppin' it now."
Brer Bear thank him for his jam.
Brer Rabbit comes back de next day with a shovel an' drop it ta Brer Bear (tellin' him ta put his hands over his head again).
"What do I do with dis? I don't want a bigger hole. I want ta get out of dis one!"
"Dig in dirt from de side an' fill up de hole."
Brer Bear don't understand, so Brer Rabbit go slow.
It took him two days gettin' out, but Brer Bear finally made it. He got in real late dat night, dirty an' smelly, carryin' de shovel.
Brer Rabbit comes over de next morning. "Ya in dere, Brer Bear?"
He keep shouting, tryin' ta rouse him. But, really, Brer Bear already awake, an' down at de stream cleanin' up.
Brer Rabbit keep shoutin' so loud, he don't hear Brer Bear come up behind him. And, he don't smell him, 'cause de bear jist take his bath.
"I got somethin' for ya," say de bear. He put one of his big hands on Brer Rabbit's skinny little arms, an' dere be no way Brer Rabbit kin get out.
He dragged him inside, an' Brer Rabbit be thinkin' hard how he goin' ta get out of dis one. But, instead of cookin' him, Brer Bear give him back his shovel an' let him go.
Brer Fox jist happen ta come back ta de cabin as Brer Rabbit be runnin' down de hill with his shovel.
"Warn't dat Brer Rabbit?"
"Yessuh."
"Warn't he carryin' dat shovel ya come in wid last night?"
"Yessuh."
"How'd he get away from ya?"
But, Brer Bear don't say nothing, he jist smile.
And Brer Fox jist puzzle over dis thing for a long time.
De Fish Story
One day Brer Rabbit enjoyin' a walk around da fish pond when he hear a very deep sigh... so loud, it kin only come from a bear... a very sad bear.
"Whatsa matta, Brer Bear?" aks Brer Rabbit. Now, normally Brer Rabbit an' Brer Bear be enemies. But, Brer Rabbit always gots a soft spot for a sad story.
"Duh, I don't know," say Brer Bear, in a very sad an' slow way.
"Come on," say Brer Rabbit, as he hop up on da branch over Brer Bear's head. "Ya kin tell me."
"Ah... it jist dat ol' Brer Fox always calls me stupid... or foolish... if dere be any difference. An' sometimes I wonder if he really isn't right! I jist kaint seem ta do much right."
"Well, ol' Brer Fox thinks he da smartest animal in da holler. He thinks everyone else iz stupid."
"But, he calls me stupid more dan any udder animal."
"Dat only 'cause ya around him more."
But, Brer Bear don't act like he believe Brer Rabbit, so Brer Rabbit put on his thinkin' cap an' da two squatted together by da side of da pond... Brer Rabbit on da tree branch, an' Brer Bear below him on da shore.
"I got it!" shout Brer Rabbit, bouncin' up, an' almos' gettin' his head caught in da overhead tree branches. "We'll show dat ol' fox he ain't so smart!"
"Duh... how we gonna do dat?"
"Wid a fishin' contest!"
"No, dat ain't gonna work. He da best fisherman in da holler."
"Nope. He ain't gonna win dis contest!"
"Duh, how ya know dat?"
"I'z gonna fix it. Now, ya go on now, an' dare dat ol' fox ta have a fishin' contest wid ya."
Brer Bear already strugglin' ta get up an' lumberin' off on his way, so Brer Rabbit shouts after him, "An' tell him da one ta ketch da biggest fish iz da winner!"
Da truth be dat Brer Fox finds fishin' so easy, he bored with it. But, da thought of beatin' Brer Bear again be enough ta get him excited about da contest. Dey both threw their baited hooks inta da water. It warn't long bafore Brer Bear land a fish... a pretty good sized one, too.
Brer Bear jist held up da fish an' smile at Brer Fox... a silly kind of smile, with two teeth missin', an' crooked at da corners... but Brer Bear very proud of dat fish.
However, dat smile go away as Brer Fox yank on his pole, an' out in da middle of da pond a big fish jump. It be Grandpappy! At least, dat what dey call dat smart old fish. He been hooked maybe five times in da last ten years, but he always got away. He gots rusty old hooks an' bits of line hangin' from his mouth... an' he wore dem like medals. But dis time... maybe da old fish be gettin' too old ta fight... an' maybe Brer Fox jist be da best fisherman in da holler.... Anyway, Brer Fox got Grandpappy up on da bank with a lot of gruntin' an' groanin'... an' a big ear ta ear smile when he done. Never.... Never nobody got ol' Grandpappy on da bank bafore!
Poor Brer Bear want ta throw his fish back inta da water... but he don't. He jist toss it over in da bushes an' go back ta feelin' sorry for hisself an' sighin' as only a sad bear kin. He threw his hook back inta da water, but he don't even put any bait on it. Then, out of da corner of his eye, he saw Brer Rabbit wink at him. He almos' forgot dat Brer Rabbit promised he goin' ta win dis contest... but he kaint figure out how dat rabbit kin work it out.
Quietly, Brer Rabbit sneak over inta da bush behind Brer Fox... right by ol' Grandpappy, who look kind of sad an' lost out of da water. Da way Grandpappy keep movin' his mouth, gaspin' for air, it look like he talkin'.
"Well... ya caught me," say Brer Rabbit, tryin' his best ta sound like an old fish.
"Huh!? Who say dat?" aks Brer Fox, turnin' around an' lookin'.
"I do! Ol' Grandpappy... ya know, da fish ya jist caught."
"I didn't know ya kin talk!"
"Ya don't know a lot of things!"
Brer Fox usually would yell an' scream for half an hour if anyone say dat ta him, but he too confused by dis talkin' fish ta yell right now.
"Boy, what will my Grandpa say when he finds out I've been caught!"
"Yar Grandpa!?"
"Yeah... ya know, da really big fish down dere."
"Really big fish!? Ya mean, ya ain't da biggest fish in dis here pond?"
"No sir. I ain't."
"How big iz dis Grandpa of yars?"
By now, Brer Bear havin' trouble keepin' from laughin' at da sight of Brer Fox talkin' ta a fish (really, he jist talkin' with Brer Rabbit in da bushes).
"Oh... Grandpa iz about two... three times bigger than me."
"Two or three times bigger!? How come I never saw him around here?"
"Oh, he don't eat no bait. He don't get hooked by any ol' fisherman's hooks. He jist lays down at da bottom mostly an' rests. An' he only eats what ain't got no hooks in it."
Brer Fox scratchin' his chin now (a shore sign dat he be thinkin' hard). "Do ya think I kin ketch yar ol' Grandpa?"
"Nah. Ya kaint ketch him! Even if'n ya got him on yar line, he break yar pole, yar line an' yar arm bafore ya kin get him near da shore."
"If'n I let ya go... would ya give me a try at yar grandpa?"
"Ya mean, put da hook in his mouth?"
"Yeah, I guess ya kin say dat. Jist ta see how big an' strong he really is. I mean, after all, I don't believe dere any fish in dat dere swimmin' hole dat I kaint bring up on da shore!"
"Well, ya don't know my Grandpa!"
"Is it a deal then? I'll let ya go if ya give me one try ta land yar grandpa once ya put da hook in his mouth. Okay?"
"Well... Okay. Ya jist lost yarself a pole an' line, an' got yarself a broken arm!"
So, Brer Fox carefully scoot Grandpappy over near da water, bein' very careful not ta hurt him, or do anythin' dat would louse up da bargain he gots with da fish. Brer Bear havin' a dickens of a time not laughin' out loud. He cover his mouth... he stuff his hat between his teeth... he turn around an' beat da tree with his fist... But, if ya ever seen a bear laugh, ya'd know dere's no way ta hide it.
Brer Fox noticed Brer Bear laughin', but he jist give him a dirty look as he about ta push Grandpappy back in da water. Then, at da last minute, he stop, 'cause he 'member da hook. "Here, Grandpappy," he say, as he gently put da hook between Grandpappy's lips, bein' careful not ta stick him with it, "Now, go slip dis in yar Grandpa's mouth, an' we'll see who da best!"
Jist as Brer Fox push Grandpappy back inta da water, Brer Bear burst out laughin'... I mean.... really laughin' (he warn't even tryin' ta hold it back now).
"Duh... What's up, Brer Fox? Ya been talkin' wid a talkin' fish?"
Brer Fox jist give him another dirty look as he held on tight ta his fishin' pole, expectin' a big jerk from a big fish any minute now.
"Duh... Brer Fox... umm... dat fish ya been talkin' with.... Do his voice sound familiar?"
Brer Fox still try ta ignore Brer Bear, which iz pretty hard ta do, an' hold on tight ta his fishin' pole.
"Duh... I tink dat fish talk a whole lot like Brer Rabbit, don't ya think?"
Now, Brer Fox, once he got an idea in his head, iz pretty hard ta turn. But, da more he tink about it... da lighter his pole seem... an' da more like Brer Rabbit dat fish sound. Finally, he yank his pole out of da water ta find only an empty hook. An' he as mad as he ever been.
After dat, whenever Brer Fox call Brer Bear "stupid!", Brer Bear would say, "At least, I never threw ol' Grandpappy back in da pond!" Pretty soon, Brer Fox stop callin' Brer Bear names, 'cause he don't want ta hear about Grandpappy no more. Brer Bear an' ol' Brer Rabbit becomes a little friendlier after dat.
Moral: Ya never know when a little kindness ya done will come back ta ya.
SONNY FOX
Sonny Fox be Brer Fox's son. He been livin' with his grampa ever since his mom'z killed by a hunter. And, 'cause Sonny Fox been raised by his gramp, Brer Fox don't really know how ta be a father.
Now, one day Brer Fox decide he want his boy ta come see him for da summer. Grampa Fox raise Sonny ta love all da creatures, so he don't kill rabbits for rabbit stew, but Brer Fox don't know dis.
Ya kin understand how scared Brer Rabbit be when he first notice another fox in da holler. But, da closer he got ta dat fox, da friendlier Sonny Fox seem ta him. Soon, da two of dem were da best of friends. In fact, Brer Rabbit even invite Sonny Fox ta come inta his home in da Briars (No fox ever been invited inta a rabbit home bafore!)
It be very dark down in Brer Rabbit's tunnel maze. It would have been very easy for Sonny Fox ta take da wrong turn an' end up in one of da traps... but Brer Rabbit whisper ta him in da dark, guidin' him each step an' each turn. Soon, both of dem were up on top da ground, in da sun filter through da overhead briars. Dere dey talk a long time, an' Brer Rabbit learn about Sonny... an' his grandpa.
Jist as Sonny comin' out of Brer Rabbit's home, he turn around an' grab Brer Rabbit by da neck , "Now, I got ya, ya tricky rabbit!" Brer Rabbit be heartbroken... he had trusted Sonny. Suddenly, Sonny let him go, down inta his hole. Then, Brer Rabbit hear Brer Fox jist above his hole, "Ya almos' got him! My, what a good huntin' fox ya gonna be!" Then , Brer Rabbit understands dat Sonny only pretend ta ketch him, 'cause Brer Fox be watchin'.
Hippity Slip, Slippity Hop
Sonny learn of one of Brer Fox's new traps. Brer Fox sent him ta de tool shed ta get de rope. While dere, he grease it up. He carry it ta de tree along de road, so Brer Fox don't notice how slippery it be. He want ta do it all hisself, but Brer Fox say he don't have 'nuff experience. Brer Fox climb de tree, an' Sonny carefully hand him de rope so he don't touch de greasy part.
Brer Fox caught Brer Rabbit around de feet with de rope. But, when he pull him up, de rope slip off, droppin' Brer Rabbit on his head. Brer Rabbit head hurting, so he forget ta run. By de time he got up, de rope be around his chest an' arms.
'Cause it so greasy, de rope slip off again, spreadin' grease over his chest, neck an' head. Brer Rabbit try ta hop away, but slip on grease. Brer Bear tackle him (Brer Bear be heavy. If ya been tackled by a bear, especially one as heavy as Brer Bear, ya know ya kaint do nothing with dat bear on top... an' Brer Rabbit do nothin'). But, when Brer Bear hit de gound on top of Brer Rabbit, Brer Rabbit shoots out like a bullet an' knock down Brer Fox, who grabs ahold anyway.
By now, Brer Rabbit iz beginnin' ta enjoy dis. Brer Bear an' Brer Fox chase him all over de country. He don't even bother ta hop away... he jist let dem shoot him around. About sunset, dere be one tired fox, one too tired bear... an' one gigglin' rabbit. Seein' Brer Bear an' Brer Fox be too tired ta "play" any more, Brer Rabbit decide ta hippity hop home. But, his feet be so greasy, he go slippity hop, hippity slip all de way ta de Briars, laughin' all de time.
Sonny's Got ta Go
Brer Rabbit be hippy hoppin` down de road one day, singin' ta hisself. Down de road he kin see a big patch of fur stickin` out from behind a tree. It be Brer Bear. Brer Bear not very good at hidin`. He kin usually hide de top half of hisself well enough, but he always forgot 'bout de rest of 'im.
Wharver Brer Bear hidin`, Brer Fox must be hidin` nearby, an' plannin` some dirty work. If'n Brer Rabbit be usin` his brains, he would haf stop right den, an' head on his way by a different way. But, maybe Brer Rabbit tired of goin` outta his way... maybe he tired of runnin`... or jist gettin` too cocky in his old age... but, he kept headin` down de road toward de tree whar Brer Bear be partly hidin`.
Shore enough, as soon as he got dere, de trap springs. Brer Bear comes up behind Brer Rabbit, an' Brer Fox jump in front. Brer Bear lean over an' spread out his large, long arms. He warnt too fast, but it would be hard ta get around 'im... he block de whole road 'tween de fence an' de tree. Brer Fox blockin` de udder side. Brer Fox warnt as big as Brer Bear, but he faster, so it would be jist 'bout as hard for Brer Rabbit ta escape dat way, too. But, dat don't matter, 'cause Brer Rabbit don't try ta get around eider of dem. He jist stand dere smilin`.
Brer Fox be a little supprised 'bout dat, but he don't let dat get in de way of his plans. Brer Fox shout, "Now!" Brer Bear jump for Brer Rabbits legs an' grab 'hold. Brer Fox grab for de top of dat rabbit an' squeeze hard.
When de dust settle, a dusty Brer Fox be layin` atop a confused Brer Bear, boff wid dere arms empty an' Brer Rabbit iz shootin' straight up in de air.
Brer Fox look up wid his mouff wide open. Den he feel his hands, an' dey feel greasy. Den he understand what happen. Brer Rabbit done grease hisself up, tinkin' dat way he never get caught. Well, dat Brer Fox ain't too dumb. In fact, while Brer Rabbit be gettin' careless in his old age, Brer Fox always tryin' harder ta outsmart dat rabbit.
Brer Fox whisper in Brer Bear`s ear. Brer Rabbit try hard ta hear what dey iz whisperin'. Warnt dat he worry 'bout dere plans, jist dat he curious. But, don't do no good... he still kaint hear.
Den, Brer Fox disappear behind de tree. Dis time, when Brer Fox say "Now!", only Brer Bear jump at de feet of Brer Rabbit. Jist like de last time, Brer Rabbit slip right outta his arms an' shoot up in de air. Den, ever'thin' get dark for Brer Rabbit.
What Brer Rabbit don't see, 'cause he not bein' too careful, dat when Brer Bear jump at his feet, Brer Fox hold a sack over his head. When he shoot up outta Brer Bear`s arms, he shoot right inta dat sack. Den Brer Fox quickly tie it shut an' trow it over his back.
Soon dey in Brer Fox's cabin, an' de fire be lit an' de kettle gettin' hot. Brer Fox set dat sack down by de table, so's he kin watch 'im real careful.
"I'z gonna open dat sack an' take a look at 'im," say Brer Bear.
"No, ya ain't!" shout Brer Fox. "Ya ain't gonna give 'im no chance a gettin' outta dis one. We`z gonna cook 'im in de sack, so`s he don't get out."
Suddenly Brer Rabbit decide he better get careful, 'cause he start ta get scared.
'Bout dis time, Sonny come in de cabin. Sonny jist home from school. Right away, he see dat Brer Rabbit be in a fix, but he don't let on 'bout dat. "Watcha doin', Pappy?" he aks.
"Gonna have rabbit stew tonight," say Brer Fox. He forgot dat his son an` Brer Rabbit be friends.
"I see," say Sonny. Dat be all he say, `cause he don't want ta lie ta his Pappy. Sonny, he see dat he kint do what he hafta, wid Brer Bear watchin'. So, he go over ta Brer Bear, an' he say, quiet like, so his Pappy kint hear, "Brer Bear, ya must be de strongist animal in de whole world!"
Now, dis make Brer Bear blush... dat is, feel embarrassed, 'cause ya kint really see a bear blush, wid all dat fur dey have. But, ya kin tell he blushin'. "Duh, yeah, I reckon."
Brer Bear don't have much ta brag 'bout. He not too hansome, an' he shore not bright. But, one thin'... he strong. An' not hardly anybody ever tell 'im dat, so he very proud.
"I bet ya kin heft de most humongous pile of firewood ever," say Sonny.
Brer Bear done bin set up. Dere warnt no way he wouldn't go get da biggest heap of firewood ever carried in de county.
Now, Sonny be alone in de cabin wid his Pappy an` de sack of Brer Rabbit.
Furst, he quietly move de sack over ta de side of his chair.
Brer Fox, he don't notice. He too busy whistlin' hisself a happy tune an' stokin' de fire.
Den Sonny, he open de sack, jist a touch, an' he whisper inta de sack, "Ya got ta promise me dat ya run home, jist as fast as ya kin."
"Yessuh," promise Brer Rabbit,jist as quiet, "I run lickedy split."
Den, Sonny open de sack, lift out Brer Rabbit,an' trow 'im out de window.
Brer Rabbit, he start ta run home lickedy split, but den he start ta wonder ta hisself why Sonny make 'im promise. Now, Brer Rabbit kin lie ta Brer Fox... dat okay wid his conscience. But, if`n he give his word ta such a good friend as Sonny... well, he hafta run home for shore. But, what Sonny plannin'? He puzzle 'bout dat much, an' de more he puzzle, de faster he run.
Meantime, back at de cabin, Sonny open de sack an' climb in. Den he tie shut de sack from de inside.
Now de cookin' pot done got boilin` hot. Brer Fox turn around ta tell ever'body what he gonna do next, but dere nobody dere, 'ceptin' dat sack of dinner. So he humpf ta hisself an' pick up de sack.
Now he tink 'bout all dem years dat dis rabbit done made a fool outta 'im, wid all his tricks, an' excapin' ever'time he done been caught, an' Brer Fox, he get real mad. So he decide dat dis cookin' iz gonna be a little slower dan usual. He lower dat sack inta de water real slow like.
Sonny,when he furst feel dat hot water on his feet, he not say nuthin'.
Brer Fox, he wonder dat dere warnt no "ouch" come outta de sack, but don't want ta open de sack an' check. He 'fraid it be some trick. If'n he haf ta, he kin check de sack when de meal iz all done.
Jist den, Brer Rabbit, lookin' in tru da window, say, "Take dat sack outta de water!"
Brer Fox tink, "Well, 'bout time ya start hollerin'!"
Den, Brer Rabbit start thumpin' de side of de cabin wid a big stick, an' say, "Dat's not me in dat sack! I`z out here!".
When Brer Fox see Brer Rabbit outside da window, he yank dat sack outta da kettle ta see who in der.
Dere be Sonny, wid very sore feet. Brer Fox, he don't know what ta say. An' Brer Rabbit, lookin' in tru da window, decide he better get wid in talkin' distance.
'Bout dis time, Brer Bear come in de cabin wid de most stupendous load of firewood ever seen in de entire history of de Holler. Still holdin' de wood, he start ta puzzle 'bout dis shoutin' goin' on, an' why Brer Rabbit jist now run inta de cabin an' why Brer Fox don't grab 'im.
"How ya get in dere?!" shout Brer Fox.
"Yeah," shout Brer Rabbit, inside de cabin now, standin' next ta Brer Fox, "Whyfor ya do dat?"
"Ya know good an' well, why he in dere," shout Brer Fox, grabbin' Brer Rabbit by de ears. "'Cause ya trick 'im."
"I don't trick 'im," complain Brer Rabbit, suddenly realizin' dat he been caught again. "He let me go."
"But, what ya doin' here?" shout Sonny at Brer Rabbit.
"Well, I'z here tryin' ta keep ya from bein' cooked."
"But, I told ya ta run home! Ya give yar word!"
'Bout dis time, Brer Fox decide ta take some action. He always figure, when he confused, it be time ta do somethin'. So, he shake Brer Rabbit by de ears. "Do ya break yar word?"
"No, I don't break my word," say Brer Rabbit, lookin` furst ta Sonny, den ta Brer Fox. "I run home. I puzzle a little 'bout what ya plannin', Sonny, den I run back."
Brer Fox, still tryin' ta make some sense of dis all, tro Brer Rabbit off in da corner an' say ta Sonny, "Dat don't matter. What do matter is... How ya get in dere?"
"I put myself in dere."
"Why?" aks Brer Fox, his mouff wide open, from puzzlement.
"I`z hopin', if'n ya see dat yur hatred of Brer Rabbit done killed me, ya might stop hatin'."
Brer Fox look back an' forff `tween Sonny an' Brer Rabbit, still sittin' in da corner whar Brer Fox toss 'im.
Suddenly, Brer Rabbit realize dat he still in danger, an' he pick hisself up an' run outta de cabin.
An' Brer Fox don't do nuthin', he puzzlin' so hard 'bout what his boy jist say.
A tear comes down Brer Fox's face (he never cry bafore).
Brer Bear aks him why he cryin', but he deny it.
Brer Fox look hard at Sonny Fox. "We got some tough talkin' ta do. I ain't gonna stop tryin' ta ketch Brer Rabbit, an' I know ya gonna keep tryin' ta protect him. An', one of dese days, ya gonna get hurt.. like almos' happen taday. I love ya too much ta allow dat." (Even though he a bad father, he still love his son). "So, ya gotta go back ta Grampa."
A tear begin ta run down Brer Bear's face. He don't wipe it off, 'cause he don't care what people tink.
"Dad, are ya shore?"
"Dat da way it has ta be. I love ya too much ta risk hurtin' ya."
Sonny pack his belongins inta a hankerchief an' ty it ta a pole.
He stop by da Briars bafore he left, ta say goodbye ta Brer Rabbit.
"Why don't ya come live with me?" aks Brer Rabbit.
"I kaint stay here an' fight my dad. I got ta go."
As Sonny Fox slowly walk out of da holler dat day, dere warnt many dry eyes around.
(Continued)
Return to Children's Books
Return to Main Menu