Week 7 Story: Lesson Learned

Lesson Learned

(Image Information: Image by Ray Bilcliff)

Brer Rabbit's children were sweet and helpful. Finn, Annie, and Basil were their parents' pride and joy. All three children resembled their father with his thick brown fur. While Annie, the oldest sibling, knew of wicked people, her brothers were naive to the ways of the world and never knew hardships or pain. 

However, the children's father had many enemies. One of his most threatening adversaries was the sly fox named Brer Fox. He was sophisticated and cunning. He hated Brer Rabbit with all his being and almost rid himself of trickers rabbit. It was too bad, Brer Rabbit always managed to escape.

Brer Fox longed to sink his teeth into Brer Rabbit's fur. He was given the perfect opportunity when came by Brer Rabbit's burrow and found Annie, Finn, and Basil playing in their mother's garden. Brer Rabbit and the dull rabbit's wife were nowhere in sight, and he knew how innocent Brer Rabbit's children were. So, he took this as a chance to outsmart his greatest foe. 

With a friendly smile and his wooden cane, Brer Fox approached the sweet little children. "Good morning children of my dearest and oldest friend. How are doin' today?"

In a high-pitched voice, all the little bunnies answered in unison, "Fine Brer Fox."

After the pleasantries, Brer Fox asked, "Are you willing to help a poor neighbor out and borrow one of your mama's big pots for my dinner tonight?"

Unsure of the fox's motives, Annie adjusted her pink dress and kept a close eye on him, while her brothers dashed inside and brought him the pot.

Brer Fox thanked them and turned to leave but stopped in his tracks. He complained about the soreness in his leg and begged them to fetch him clean water for boiling and firewood to cook over.

Annie's whiskers shook, and she folded her arms over her chest. "You cain't make us do anything more for you."

However, her brothers, Finn and Basil, didn't listen to their wiser sister and instead admired Brer Fox. They spoke about the countless stories their father told them of the villainous Brer Fox. The brothers laughed as they thought those tales were simply tales, which is exactly Brer Fox wanted to hear.

So, when Brer Fox feigned ignorance and helplessness Finn and Basil were eager to assist their father's friend and dashed into the wood with Annie all the while shouting at them from close behind.

Soon the boys returned with the firewood and the clean water, however, their sister hadn't returned. Brer Fox knew he needed to make his plan work a little faster. Before Brer Fox could ask for them to prepare the fire, Finn and Basil were already fanned the flames. When they finished the boys were wondering what their famous fox friend was going to eat.

Bending over, Brer Fox licked his lips and said, "Why my dear boys. I've been craving rabbit stew."

Within a matter of seconds, Brer Fox snatched up the boys and threw them into the pot. Then he proceeded to hack them with his crane until they were nearly unconscious.

Unfortunately, Brer Fox heard voices and looked up to find a red face Brer Rabbit with his small daughter by his side.

The jig was up. 

Oh well. It was fun while it lasted.

Brer Fox bowed to his foe and said, "Next time, old friend." Then he rushed home before Brer Rabbit had a chance to catch up.

That was the day two little bunnies learned some stories hold truth.

Author's Notes:

The original story was my favorite out of the ones I read, but I didn't think there was a real threat or high stakes. Also, I didn't like that the little bunnies didn't have much of a personality. I tried to a least give one of the bunnies some character.

In the original, there is a little bird teaching the children how to fetch clean water or start a fire. Personally, I didn't think it connected much to the story, and it was best to cut it out.

Bibliography:

A Story about the Little Rabbits by Joel Chandler Harris(1881).