Reading Notes: Brer Rabbit, Part B

Mr. Rabbit Meets His Match Again

Summary:

Mr. Buzzard and Mr. Rabbit were working together to make a profit from the crops, but this year the crops were no good for Mr. Buzzard. Mr. Rabbit also pretended his were no good until Mr. Buzzard decided to lie and tell Mr. Rabbit that he had gold mine across the river. Mr. Rabbit climbed on his back and they started flying across the river. Mr. Buzzard knew Rabbit was lying about his crops, so he took him to the highest tree in the middle of the lake and perched there until Rabbit confessed. Mr. Buzzard acted like he was going to make Mr. Rabbit fall off, thus was his revenge for the lying. 

• I enjoyed that the story felt different than the other ones in the series. There was not as much dialogue (which can be good or bad) but more narration. 
• I liked the idea that Mr. Rabbit didn't always win against the other animals in the world, but that he sometimes got what was coming to him. 
• I think I can use the idea of a main character who is like Mr. Rabbit in my future stories. He usually wins, but when he doesn't it is sweet satisfaction.

Mr. Rabbit and Mr. Buzzard Contemplating their Losses

(image found here)

A Story about Little Rabbits

Summary:

One day both Mr. and Mrs. Rabbit were out and only the little rabbits were left at home. Brer Fox took this opportunity to drop in and try to find an excuse to eat the children. First he tried to get them to break a piece of sugar cane for him, then he asked them to gather water for him with a sifter, then he asked them to carry a giant piece of log that was too heavy. During all their tasks, a little bird was helping them complete them so brer fox didn't get mad. They completed the tasks just in time for Mr. Rabbit to come home and cause brer fox to leave. 

• There is not a ton of dialogue in this story
• I like the idea of having the small stanzas of almost-poems in my future stories
• "Sifter hold water same as a tray,
  If you fill it with moss and dob it with clay;
  The Fox get madder the longer you stay—
  Fill it with moss and dob it with clay."
  
• The way the fox loses once again is what connects the stories, and I would like to try to do something like that for mine

Bibliography:

A Story about Little Rabbits

Mr. Rabbit Meets His Match Again

Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings, Joel Chandler Harris (1881)