UNCLE REMUS _and_ BRER RABBIT

THE CREETURS GO TO THE BARBECUE


[Illustration]

"Once 'pon a time," said Uncle Remus to the little boy--"But when was
once upon a time?" the child interrupted to ask. The old man smiled. "I
speck 'twuz one time er two times, er maybe a time an' a half. You know
when Johnny Ashcake 'gun ter bake? Well, 'twuz 'long in dem days. Once
'pon a time," he resumed, "Mr. Man had a gyarden so fine dat all de
neighbors come ter see it. Some 'ud look at it over de fence, some 'ud
peep thoo de cracks, an' some 'ud come an' look at it by de light er de
stars. An' one un um wuz ol' Brer Rabbit; starlight, moonlight,
cloudlight, de nightlight wuz de light fer him. When de turn er de
mornin' come, he 'uz allers up an' about, an' a-feelin' purty well I
thank you, suh!

[Illustration]

"Now, den, you done hear what I say. Dar wuz Mr. Man, yander wuz de
gyarden, an' here wuz ol' Brer Rabbit." Uncle Remus made a map of this
part of the story by marking in the sand with his walking-cane. "Well,
dis bein' de case, what you speck gwineter happen? Nothin' in de roun'
worl' but what been happenin' sence greens an' sparrer-grass wuz planted
in de groun'. Dey look fine an' dey tas'e fine, an' long to'rds de shank
er de mornin', Brer Rabbit 'ud creep thoo de crack er de fence an'
nibble at um. He'd take de greens, but leave his tracks, mo' speshually
right atter a rain. Takin' an' leavin'--it's de way er de worl'.