Br'er Rabbit's Fishing
: BRER RABBIT and HIS NEIGHBORS: Boys And Girls Bookshelf
One day, Br'er Rabbit, and Br'er Fox, and Br'er Bear, and Br'er Coon,
and all the rest of them were clearing up a new piece of ground to plant
some corn.
The sun got sort of hot, and Br'er Rabbit he got tired; but he didn't
say so, 'cause he 'fraid the others'd call him lazy, so he kept on
clearing away the rubbish and piling it up, till by-and-by he holler out
that he got a thorn in his hand. Then he too
hunted for a cool place to rest in.
After a while Br'er Rabbit he see a well, with a bucket hanging in it.
"That looks cool," says Br'er Rabbit, says he, "and cool I 'spects it
is. I'll just about get in there and take a nap," says he. And with that
in he jumped.
No sooner was Br'er Rabbit in, than the bucket began to go down, and
there was no wusser scared beast since the world began than this here
Br'er Rabbit was then. He fairly shook with fright. He know where he
come from, but he dunno where he going. Presently he feel the bucket hit
the water, and there it sat. Br'er Rabbit he keep mighty still, 'cause
he dunno what be going to happen next. He just lay there, and shook and
shivered.
Now, Br'er Fox he always kep' one eye on Br'er Rabbit and, when Br'er
Rabbit slipped off the new ground, Br'er Fox he sneaked after him. He
knew Br'er Rabbit was after something or other, and he took and crept
off to watch him. Br'er Fox see Br'er Rabbit come to the well and stop,
and then he see him jump into the bucket, and then, lo and behold, he
see him go down out of sight.
Br'er Fox was the most astonished fox that ever you set eyes on. He sat
off there in the bushes, and he think and think, but he make no heads or
tails of this kind of business. Then he says to himself, says he:
"Well, if this don't beat my times," says he, "then Joe's dead and Sal's
a widder," says he. "Right down there in that well Br'er Rabbit keeps
his money hid, and if it ain't that, then he's been and gone and
discovered a gold mine; and if it ain't that, then I'm a-going to see
what is there," says he.
Br'er Fox crept up a little nigher, he did, and he listen, but he hear
nothing, and he kept on getting nigher, and yet he hear nothing.
By-and-by he get up close. He peep down; he see nothing, and he hear
nothing.
All this while Br'er Rabbit was nearly scared out of his skin, and he
'fraid to move, 'cause the bucket might keel over and spill him out into
the water.
Then old Br'er Fox holler out:
"Hallo, Br'er Rabbit! Who you visiting down there?" says he.
"Who? Me? Oh, I'm just a-fishing, Br'er Fox," says Br'er Rabbit, says
he. "I just said to myself that I'd sort of surprise you all with a lot
of fishes for dinner; and so here I is, and here's the fishes. I'm
fishing, Br'er Fox," says Br'er Rabbit, says he.
"Is there many of 'em down there, Br'er Rabbit?" says Br'er Fox.
"Lots of 'em, Br'er Fox. Scores and scores of 'em. The water is just
alive with 'em. Come down, and help me haul 'em up, Br'er Fox," says old
Br'er Rabbit, says he.
"How 'm I going to get down, Br'er Rabbit?"
"Jump into the other bucket, Br'er Fox. It'll fetch you down all safe
and sound."
Br'er Rabbit he talk so happy and talk so sweet, that Br'er Fox he jump
into the bucket, he did, and as he went down, of course his weight
pulled Br'er Rabbit up. When they passed one another half-way down,
Br'er Rabbit he sing out:
"Good-by, Br'er Fox, take care of your clothes,
For this is the way the world goes;
Some goes up, and some goes down,
You'll get to the bottom all safe and soun'."
When Br'er Rabbit get out, he gallop off and tell the folks what the
well belong to that Br'er Fox was down in there muddying up the drinking
water, and then he gallop back to the well and holler down to Br'er Fox:
"Here comes a man with a great big gun;
When he hauls you up, you cut and run."
But in about half an hour both of them were back in the new ground,
working as if they never heard of no well, 'cept that every now and then
Br'er Rabbit burst out and laugh, and old Br'er Fox he'd get a spell of
the dry grins.
[P] From "More Funny Stories About Br'er Rabbit," published by
Stead's Publishing House, London, England, and used with their
permission.
More
-
Bellasis
[Communicated by Mr. Longstaffe.] Johnny tuth' Bellas daft was thy poll, When thou changed Bellas for Henknoll. This saying, as given by Surtees, is still remembered near Bellasis, and is preferable to Hutchinson's version of it fro... Belling The Cat
The mice who lived in the old house met one day to discuss the means to be used to get rid of a large, fierce black cat that had taken up her abode there, and made her living by hunting and eating them up one by one, so that their numbers were gre... Beth Gellert
Prince Llewelyn had a favourite greyhound named Gellert that had been given to him by his father-in-law, King John. He was as gentle as a lamb at home but a lion in the chase. One day Llewelyn went to the chase and blew his horn in front of his ca... Betsy Ross And The Flag
BY HARRY PRINGLE FORD (ADAPTED) On the 14th day of June, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the following resolution: "RESOLVED, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes alternate red and white; that the Union be thirtee... Bill Brown's Test
BY CLEVELAND MOFFETT All firemen have courage, but it cannot be known until the test how many have this particular kind,--Bill Brown's kind. What happened was this: Engine 29, pumping and pounding her prettiest, stood at the northwest corner of... Billy Boy
Oh, where have you been, Billy Boy, Billy Boy, Oh, where have you been, charming Billy? "I have been to seek a wife, She's the joy of my life, She's a young thing and cannot leave her mother." What work can she ... Billy My Son
The following lines are very common in the English nursery, and resemble the popular German ditty of Grandmother Addercook, inserted in the of Northern Antiquities. The ballad of the Crowden Doo, Chambers, p. 205, bears, however, a far greater simi... Bird-boxes
<div> <img src="/images/i207.png" alt="Bird-boxes" title="Bird-boxes" height="400" width="253" /> Bird-boxes </div> <p>You can win honours in Woodcraft if you make a successful bird-box. That is one made by yourself, and used by some bird to raise its... Bird-nesting In Winter
<div> <img src="/images/i192.png" alt="Nests of Kingbird, Oriole, Vireo, Robin, Goldfinch, Phoebe (1/4 life size)" title="Nests of Kingbird, Oriole, Vireo, Robin, Goldfinch, Phoebe (1/4 life size)" height="400" width="294" /> Nests of Kingbird, Oriole, V... Birth And Infancy Of Ourson
Three months after the appearance of the toad and the cruel sentence of the fairy Furious, Agnella gave birth to a boy whom she named Ourson, as the fairy Drolette had commanded. Neither Agnella nor Passerose could decide if he was ugly or handsom... Bisclaveret
(From one of Marie's Lays.) Once upon a time there lived in Brittany a baron who was handsome, wise, courteous, and brave. Although admired and beloved by his neighbors, he remained single until late in life, when he fell desperately in love wi... Black Agnace Of Dunbar
"Some sing o' lords, and some o' knichts, An' some o' michty men o' war, But I sing o' a leddy bricht, The Black Agnace o' Dunnebar." It was in the year 1338, when Bruce's son was but a bairn, and Scotland was guided by a R... Blackskin
In an Indian town on the North Pacific Ocean there lived a chief, whose ambition it was to be stronger than other men and be able to kill the sea-lions down the coast. On the coldest mornings in winter he might be seen running down very early to b... Blazes
<p>All hunters and Indians have signs to let their people know the way. Some of these signs are on trees, and are called "Blazes." One of those much used is a little piece of bark chipped off to show the white wood; it means: "This is ... Blind Jack Again
Would you like to hear some more of Blind Jack? This story tells how he joined the army of the Duke of Cumberland, which was sent to fight Prince Charlie and the Highlanders in 1745. There was great excitement in York when the news came that the... Blind Jack Of Knaresborough
This is the story of a blind man who did more, without any eyes at all, than many people can do with two. For numbers of children need really to be taught to use their eyes, or they will never see things that are right under their noses; or else t... Blockhead-hans
Far away in the country lay an old manor-house where lived an old squire who had two sons. They thought themselves so clever, that if they had known only half of what they did know, it would have been quite enough. They both wanted to marry the Ki... Blondina Or The Turkey-queen
A certain king had two daughters, one of them lovely and accomplished, and the other an ugly, cross-tempered personage, who early in life took to meddling with the black arts, and learned a great deal more of magic than she did of any thing els... Blondine
There was once a king called Benin. He was good and all the world loved him; he was just and the wicked feared him. His wife, the Queen Doucette, was also good, and much beloved. This happy pair had a daughter called the Princess Blondine, becau... Blondine Lost
Blondine grew to be seven years old and Brunette three. The king had given Blondine a charming little carriage drawn by ostriches, and a little coachman ten years of age, who was the nephew of her nurse. The little page, who was called Gourma... Blondine's Awakening Beau-minon
Blondine slept calmly all night; no ferocious beast came to trouble her slumbers. She did not suffer from the cold and awakened at a late hour in the morning. She rubbed her eyes, much surprised to see herself surrounded by trees, in place of bein... Blondine's Second Awakening
Blondine slept profoundly, and on awaking she found herself entirely changed. Indeed, it seemed to her she could not be the same person. She was much taller, her intellect was developed, her knowledge enlarged. She remembered a number of books she... Blow Wind Blow!
Blow, wind, blow! and go, mill, go! That the miller may grind his corn; That the baker may take it, And into rolls make it, And send us some hot in the morn. ... Blue Beard
There was a man who had fine houses, both in town and country, a deal of silver and gold plate, embroidered furniture, and coaches gilded all over with gold. But this man was so unlucky as to have a blue beard, which made him so frightfully ugly ... Blue-eyes The Snow Child Or The Story Of Hepatica
<p>HAVE you ever seen El Sol, the Chief of the Wonder-workers, brother to Mother Carey? Yes, you have, though probably you did not know it; at least you could not look him in the face. Well, I am going to tell you about him, and tell of a sad thing t... Bo-peep
The children's game of bo-peep is as old as the hills, hiding from each other, and saying,-- Bo-Peep, Little Bo-Peep: Now's the time for hide and seek. But in ancient times the amusement appears to have been even of a simpler chara... Bobby Shaftoe
Bobby Shaftoe's gone to sea, Silver buckles on his knee; He'll come back and marry me, Pretty Bobby Shaftoe. Bobby Shaftoe's fat and fair, Combing down his yellow hair, He's my love for evermair, Pre... Bobino
Once on a time there was a rich merchant, who had an only son called Bobino. Now, as the boy was clever, and had a great desire for knowledge, his father sent him to be under a master, from whom he thought he would learn to speak all sorts of fo... Bonne-biche
Beau-Minon had entered by a little passage, which seemed made expressly for him and had probably given notice to some one at the castle, as the gate opened without Blondine having called. She entered the court-yard but saw no one. The door of... Bonnie Prince Charlie
Prince Charlie was the grandson of King James II, who was driven away from the throne of England because he was a selfish man and a bad ruler. The young prince tried to win the crown back again. He came over to Scotland from France, with only seve... Bonny Lass
Bonny lass, bonny lass, wilt thou be mine? Thou shalt not wash dishes, nor yet serve the swine: Thou shalt sit on a cushion, and sew a fine seam, And thou shalt eat strawberries, sugar, and cream! ... Boots And His Brothers
Once upon a time there was a King who had seven sons. One day he said to the six older ones: "You must go forth into the world, each one, and seek a bride. But Boots is too young to go, so he shall stay at home. And when you have found brides for ... Boxer
"The poor dog, in life the firmest friend-- The first to welcome, foremost to defend-- Whose honest heart is still his master's own, Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone." BYRON.... Boy's Bailiff
An old custom, formerly in vogue at Wenlock, in Shropshire, thus described by Mr. Collins: "I am old enough to remember an old custom, and the last time it took place was about sixty years ago; it was called the 'boy's bailiff,' and was held in the ... Br'er Fox Tackles Old Br'er Tarrypin
One day Br'er Fox struck up with Br'er Tarrypin right in the middle of the big road. Br'er Tarrypin he heard Br'er Fox coming, and he say to hisself that he'd sort of better keep one eye open; but Br'er Fox was monstrous polite, and he begin, he d... Br'er Possum Loves Peace
One night Br'er Possum called for Br'er Coon, and they rambled forth to see how the others were getting along. Br'er Possum he ate his fill of fruit, and Br'er Coon he scooped up a lot of frogs and tadpoles. They ambled along, just as sociable as ... Br'er Rabbit's Fishing
One day, Br'er Rabbit, and Br'er Fox, and Br'er Bear, and Br'er Coon, and all the rest of them were clearing up a new piece of ground to plant some corn. The sun got sort of hot, and Br'er Rabbit he got tired; but he didn't say so, 'cause he 'f... Brewery Of Eggshells
In Treneglwys there is a certain shepherd's cot known by the name of Twt y Cymrws because of the strange strife that occurred there. There once lived there a man and his wife, and they had twins whom the woman nursed tenderly. One day she was c... Briar Rose
A king and queen once upon a time reigned in a country a great way off, where there were in those days fairies. Now this king and queen had plenty of money, and plenty of fine clothes to wear, and plenty of good things to eat and drink, and a coach ... Brockley-hill
No heart can think, nor tongue can tell, What lies between Brockley-hill and Penny-well. Brockley-hill lies near Elstree, in Hertfordshire, and Penny-well is the name of a parcel of closes in the neighbourhood. See Stukeley's Itin. Cu... Broken Images
Once there lived two brothers who were princes in the land. The elder brother was a hunter. He loved the deep woods and the chase. He went from dawn to dark with his bow and his arrows. Swiftly he could run; he was strong and bright-eyed. The yo... Brook Brownie Or How The Song Sparrow Got His Streaks
<div> His Mother was the Brook and his sisters were the Reeds,<br /> They, every one, applauded when he sang about his deeds.<br /> His vest was white, his mantle brown, as clear as they could be,<br /> And his songs were fairly bubbling o'er wi... Brother And Sister
A brother took his sister by the hand and said, Since our mother is dead we have no more happy hours: our stepmother beats us every day, and whenever we come near her she kicks us away. She gives us hard crusts and nasty scraps to eat, and the dog... Brother And Sister
BROTHER took sister by the hand and said: `Look here; we haven't had one single happy hour since our mother died. That stepmother of ours beats us regularly every day, and if we dare go near her she kicks us away. We never get anything but hard dry... Brother Fox's Tar Baby
TRANSLATED BY JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS Once upon a time Brother Fox and Brother Rabbit lived near each other in the woods. But they had to go a long way each morning to get water from a spring. One day Brother Fox said to Brother Rabbit: "What's ... Bruce And The Spider
Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, sad and weary, lay upon the floor of a lonely cave among the hills. His mind was full of anxious thoughts, for he was hiding from the English soldiers, who sought to take him--alive or dead--to their king. The brave... Buckee Bene
Buckee, Buckee, biddy Bene, Is the way now fair and clean? Is the goose ygone to nest, And the fox ygone to rest? Shall I come away? These curious lines are said by Devonshire children when they go through any pass... Buckland
Buckland and Laverton, Stanway and Staunton, Childswickham, Wickamford, Badsey and Aston. These are places in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Somersetshire. Staunton is pronounced Stawn, and Aston is commonly called ... Buckle My Shoe
One, Two--buckle my shoe; Three, Four--open the door; Five, Six--pick up sticks; Seven, Eight--lay them straight; Nine, Ten--a good fat hen; Eleven, Twelve--I hope you're well; Thirteen, Fourteen--draw the curta... Buckwheat
IF YOU should chance, after a tempest, to cross a field where buckwheat is growing, you may observe that it looks black and singed, as if a flame of fire had passed over it. And should you ask the reason, a farmer will tell you, "The lightning did... Bulgaria
The national religion of the Bulgarian people is that of the Orthodox Greek Church, and consequently the laws of that church on the subject of marriage and divorce is part of the organic law of Bulgaria. Upon the political independence of the co... Bulka
I had a small bulldog. He was called Bulka. He was black; only the tips of his front feet were white. All bulldogs have their lower jaws longer than the upper, and the upper teeth come down behind the nether teeth, but Bulka's lower jaw protruded ... Bulka And The Wild Boar
Once we went into the Caucasus to hunt the wild boar, and Bulka went with me. The moment the hounds started, Bulka rushed after them, following their sound, and disappeared in the forest. That was in the month of November; the boars and sows are t... Bulka And The Wolf
When I left the Caucasus, they were still fighting there, and in the night it was dangerous to travel without a guard. I wanted to leave as early as possible, and so did not lie down to sleep. My friend came to see me off, and we sat the whol... Bulka's And Milton's End
Bulka and Milton died at the same time. The old Cossack did not know how to get along with Milton. Instead of taking him out only for birds, he went with him to hunt wild boars. And that same fall a tusky boar ripped him open. Nobody knew how to s... Burg Hill's On Fire
A CELTIC FAIRY TALE BY ELIZABETH W. GRIERSON (ADAPTED) Once upon a time there was a rich farmer who had a thrifty wife. She used to go out and gather all the little bits of wool which she could find on the hillsides, and bring them home. Then... Bushy Bride
THERE was once on a time a widower who had a son and a daughter by his first wife. They were both good children, and loved each other with all their hearts. After some time had gone by the man married again, and he chose a widow with one daughter w... Butterflies And Moths
<p>Do you remember the dear old fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast? How Beauty had to marry the Beast to save her father's life? But as soon as she had bravely agreed to sacrifice herself—as soon as she gave the fateful "Yes" the Beast... By Abbie Farwell Brown
It was a little, little page, Was brought from far away, To bear the great queen's velvet train Upon her bridal day. His yellow curls were long and bright, His page's suit was blue, With golden clasps at neck... By Anna Hempstead Branch
There was a lad named Piping Will With tattered coat and poor; He had no home to bide him in, But roamed from door to door. This lad had naught except a pipe On which he used to play; Yet never lad did... Bye Baby Bunting
Bye, Baby bunting, Father's gone a-hunting, Mother's gone a-milking, Sister's gone a-silking, And Brother's gone to buy a skin, To wrap the Baby bunting in. ... Cannetella
There was once upon a time a king who reigned over a country called ‘Bello Puojo.' He was very rich and powerful, and had everything in the world he could desire except a child. But at last, after he had been married for many years, and was qu... Canonbie Dick And Thomas Of Ercildoune
It chanced, long years ago, that a certain horse-dealer lived in the South of Scotland, near the Border, not very far from Longtown. He was known as Canonbie Dick; and as he went up and down the country, he almost always had a long string of horse... Canute
There was once a king of England, named Canute, who was a brave and clever man. But he had many lords in his court who were very foolish. They feared their master, and wished to please him, and because they knew that he was somewhat vain of his st... Cap O' Rushes
Well, there was once a very rich gentleman who had three daughters, and he thought he'd see how fond they were of him. So he says to the first: "How much do you love me, my dear?" "Why," says she, "as I love my life." "That's good," says he... Cap'n Joe And Cap'n Bill
The rooms Zog had given his prisoners were as handsome as all other parts of this strange enchanted castle. Gold was used plentifully in the decorations, and in the Rose Chamber occupied by the mermaids and Trot golden roses formed a border around... Caporushes
Once upon a time, a long, long while ago, when all the world was young and all sorts of strange things happened, there lived a very rich gentleman whose wife had died leaving him three lovely daughters. They were as the apple of his eye, and he ... Care-sunday
Care Sunday, care away, Palm Sunday and Easter-day. Care-Sunday is the Sabbath next before Palm Sunday, and the second before Easter. Etymologists differ respecting the origin of the term. It is also called Carling-Sunday, and hence t... Cat And Mouse In Partnership
A certain cat had made the acquaintance of a mouse, and had said so much to her about the great love and friendship she felt for her, that at length the mouse agreed that they should live and keep house together. 'But we must make a provision for wi... Cat-skin
There was once a king, whose queen had hair of the purest gold, and was so beautiful that her match was not to be met with on the whole face of the earth. But this beautiful queen fell ill, and when she felt that her end drew near she called the kin... Catch Him Crow
Catch him, crow! Carry him, kite! Take him away till the apples are ripe; When they are ripe and ready to fall, Home comes [Johnny], apples and all. ... Catherine And Her Destiny
Sicilianische Mahrchen von Laura Gonzenbach. Leipzig, Engelmann, 1870. Long ago there lived a rich merchant who, besides possessing more treasures than any king in the world, had in his great hall three chairs, one of silver, one of gold, and on...