The stories that show the shrewdness of Brer Rabbit, might be taken as a small cycle which has Brer Rabbit as a hero.
The following are examples:
- The Wonderful Tar Baby Story.
- Old Mr. Rabbit, He’s a good Fisherman.
- Brer Rabbit and de’ skeeters.
- Brer Fox Says Grace.
- Brer Rabbit Has Fun at the Ferry.
- Why Brer Wolf didn’t eat the little Rabbits.
- Brer Fox “Smells Smoke.”
- Brer Rabbit Frightens Brer Tiger.
- Brer Rabbit Conquers Mr. Lion.
- Heyo House.
- Sis Cow Falls a Victim to Mr. Rabbit.
- How Mr. Rabbit Saved his Meat.
- The Sad Fate of Mr. Fox.
- Brer Rabbit Nibbles up de Butter.
The third group of stories that were told to the little boy for their ethical value, presents quite a modern idea of the purpose of a good story; namely, that in order to teach, a moral must be tacked on. When Uncle Remus found the little boy in mischief, he straightway told him a story with a homely moral. As for example the story of “Brother Bear and the Honey Orchard.” Uncle Remus caught the little boy eating a great piece of cake, while his little brother stood by, crying for some. ’Tis then that he relates of the selfishment of Brer B’ar with his own conclusion, that “to his membrence stingy folks nevah come to no good ’een.”
The following stories were told with this idea in mind:
- Brother Bear and the Honey Orchard.
- The Man and the Wild Cattle.
- Brer Rabbit’s Money Mint.
- Brother Billy Goat’s Dinner.
- The King that talked Biggity.
- According to how the Drap Falls.
Under the fourth heading I have grouped such stories as:
- The Story of the Deluge and how it came about.
- Where the Hurricane Comes from.
- The Creation.
- Why the Negro is Black.
No one can doubt but that these simple stories were first told when the human race was very young. The things that are at present accomplished by science were then met by magic. Whether or not we believe that the child in his development passes through much the same experience as the race has in its development, there are certain things that are evident: the child makes human and holds conversation with everything in his backyard world. The same voices speak to him that spoke to his cave dwelling ancestors. To him the wind is a person of might and power, that moans when in anguish and sighs when weary.
(To be concluded in next issue)