Brother Fox's Tar Baby
: BRER RABBIT and HIS NEIGHBORS: Boys And Girls Bookshelf
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 the use of taking a
long walk every morning. Let us dig a well of our own."
"I shall no longer go to the spring," said Broth
time on I shall drink the dew from the grass and the flowers. Why should
I work to dig a well?"
Brother Rabbit knew by the way Brother Fox talked that he was going to
dig the well anyway.
"Just as you please," said Brother Fox. "Then I will dig the well
myself. And I will drink the water all by myself."
The next morning Brother Fox began to dig a well by a big tree. He
worked, and worked, and worked. Brother Rabbit was hiding in a bush near
by and watching Brother Fox.
"Ha, ha, ha!" he said to himself. "How foolish Brother Fox is! I guess I
shall soon have all the water I want. Ha, ha, ha!"
That night, while Brother Fox was asleep, Brother Rabbit stole quietly
down to the well by the big tree, and drank and laughed, and drank and
laughed.
"I guess I can have all the water I want," said Brother Rabbit. "Brother
Fox was foolish to do all the work."
The next day, when Brother Fox went to get some water, he saw rabbit
tracks in the mud.
"Ah, ha! Brother Rabbit," said Brother Fox to himself, "so that's the
way you drink the dew from the grass and the flowers! Well, well, I
think I can catch you at your trick!"
Brother Fox ran home as fast as he could and made a great big doll of
wood, as big as a baby. He covered the wooden doll with black, sticky
tar. Then he put a little cap on its head. At sunset, he put the tar
baby out beside the well.
"I think I shall get Brother Rabbit this time," he said, as he went home
laughing to himself all the way.
Soon Brother Rabbit came hopping through the bushes. He looked first
this way, then that. The least noise frightened him. When he saw the tar
baby, he sat up straight and peeped at it through the leaves.
"Hullo, there! Who are you?" he said at last.
The tar baby said nothing.
"Who are you, I say?" he asked in a louder tone.
The tar baby said nothing.
Then Brother Rabbit went right up close to the tar baby.
"Why don't you answer me?" he shouted.
The tar baby said nothing.
"See here!" he shouted. "Have you no tongue? Speak, or I'll hit you!"
The tar baby said nothing.
Brother Rabbit raised his right hand and--biff! his hand stuck fast.
"Here! What's this?" he cried. "Let me go, or I'll hit you again."
The tar baby said nothing.
At that--blip! he hit the tar baby with the other hand. That stuck fast,
too.
"Listen to me, you rascal!" cried Brother Rabbit. "If you don't let me
go, I'll kick you!"
The tar baby said nothing.
Bim! Brother Rabbit's right foot stuck fast.
"See here, you imp!" he shrieked. "If I kick you with my left foot,
you'll think the world has come to an end!"
The tar baby said nothing.
Bom! the left foot stuck fast.
"Look out, now!" Brother Rabbit screamed. "Let me loose, or I'll butt
you into the well with my head! Let me go, I say!"
The tar baby said nothing.
Buff! Brother Rabbit's head stuck fast.
And there was Brother Rabbit with both hands, and both feet, and his
head stuck fast.
The next morning Brother Fox came out to see how the tar baby was
getting along. He saw Brother Rabbit, and he laughed to himself until
his sides ached.
"Hey, Brother Rabbit!" he called. "What are you doing? How do you like
my tar baby? I thought you drank dew from the grass and the flowers! I
have you now, Brother Rabbit, I have you now."
"Let me go, Brother Fox!" cried Brother Rabbit. "Let me go! I am your
friend. Don't hurt me!"
"Friend? You are a thief," said Brother Fox. "Who wants a thief for a
friend?" Then he ran quickly to his home in the woods and built a big
fire.
Soon Brother Fox tore Brother Rabbit loose from the tar baby, threw him
over his shoulder, and started for the fire.
"Roast rabbit is good," said Brother Fox.
"Roast me! Burn me! Anything!" said Brother Rabbit, "Only don't throw me
into the brier patch."
"I've a mind to throw you into the well," said Brother Fox, as he turned
and looked back.
"Drown me! Kill me! Anything! Only don't throw me into the brier patch,"
said Brother Rabbit. "The briers will tear my flesh and scratch my eyes
out. Throw me into the fire! Throw me into the well!"
"Ah, ha, Brother Rabbit!" said Brother Fox. "So you don't like briers?
Then here you go!" and he threw Brother Rabbit away over into the brier
patch.
As soon as Brother Rabbit touched the ground, he sat up and laughed, and
laughed, and laughed.
"Ha, ha, ha! Brother Fox!" said Brother Rabbit. "Thank you, dear Brother
Fox, thank you! I was born and reared in a brier patch."
Then Brother Rabbit ran off in great glee, chuckling over the trick he
had played on Brother Fox.
[O] From "Evening Tales," by Frederic Ortoli; used by
permission of the publishers, Charles Scribner's Sons.
More
-
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... Catherning
Catharine and Clement, be here, be here, Some of your apples, and some of your beer: Some for Peter, and some for Paul, And some for Him that made us all: Clement was a good man, For his sake give us some, ... Catskin
Once upon a time there lived a gentleman who owned fine lands and houses, and he very much wanted to have a son to be heir to them. So when his wife brought him a daughter, though she was bonny as bonny could be, he cared nought for her, and said:... Charcoal Nils And The Troll-woman
In the old days there lived on a headland that juts out into the northwestern corner of Lake Rasval, in the neighborhood of the Linde mining-district, a charcoal-burner named Nils, generally known as Charcoal Nils. He let a farm-hand attend to his... Charm-rhymes
The subject of rural charms, many of which are lineal descendants from those used by our Anglo-Saxon ancestors, is one of great interest and curiosity; and it were much to be wished that a complete collection of them were formed. The following one i... Child Health Alphabet
BY MRS. FREDERICK PETERSON A is for Apples and also for Air; Children need both and we have them to spare. B is for Butter spread thick on Brown Bread, Also for Baths before Breakfast or Bed. ... Childe Rowland
Childe Rowland and his brothers twain Were playing at the ball. Their sister, Burd Helen, she played In the midst among them all. For Burd Helen loved her brothers, and they loved her exceedingly. At play she was ever their companion a... Chin-chin Kobakama
Once there was a little girl who was very pretty, but also very lazy. Her parents were rich, and had a great many servants; and these servants were very fond of the little girl, and did everything for her which she ought to have been able to do fo... Christmas
Ha wish ye a merry Chresamas, An a happy new year, A pantry full a' good rost beef, An a barril full a' beer. To these lines we may add the following north-country nursery song: Now Christmas is come, and now ...