Br'er Rabbit - African American

Well now, hello there! The sun is warm on my whiskers, and the clover is sweet. My name is Br'er Rabbit, and this briar patch right here is my favorite place in the whole wide world. It’s safe and sound, which is important when you’re as quick and clever as I am, because bigger critters like Br’er Fox are always trying to catch me. But they haven't yet! Folks have been telling stories about my adventures for a long, long time, and one of the most famous is the tale of the Tar Baby.

One day, that sneaky Br'er Fox got tired of being tricked. So, he mixed up some sticky tar and made a doll that looked like a little person. He sat this 'Tar Baby' right by the side of the road, knowing I'd come hopping by. Soon enough, I came along, lippity-clippity. 'Mornin'!' I said to the Tar Baby, but the doll didn't say a word. I thought it was being mighty rude, so I warned it, 'If you don't say howdy, I'm gonna teach you some manners!'. Still, the Tar Baby said nothing. So I drew back my fist and—BAM!—my hand got stuck fast in the tar. I tried my other hand, then my feet, and soon I was stuck all over, unable to move a whisker.

Just then, Br'er Fox strolled out from behind a bush, laughing. 'I've got you now, Br'er Rabbit!' he cheered. Br'er Fox wondered aloud what to do with me. That's when my quick mind started whirring. 'Oh, please, Br'er Fox!' I cried. 'Roast me, hang me, do whatever you want... but please, oh please, don't throw me in that briar patch!'. Br'er Fox thought hurting me in the briar patch must be the worst thing of all. So, with a mighty heave, he threw me right into the middle of the thorny bushes. I landed softly, shook myself off, and called out from the safety of the thorns, 'I was born and bred in a briar patch, Br'er Fox!'. And with a flick of my tail, I was gone.

That's how I got away! These stories weren't just for fun, you see. Long ago, enslaved African Americans first told my tales. They shared them in the evenings to teach their children and to give each other hope. The stories showed that even if you're not the biggest or the strongest, you can use your wits to overcome hardship. Today, my stories are still told in books and movies, reminding everyone that a clever mind is the most powerful tool you can have. They help us imagine a world where the little guy can win, and that's a story worth sharing forever.