Brer Rabbit: Mr. Fox and the Deceitful Frogs

This story picks up with the story of Brer Fox and Brer Terrapin (Brer Turtle). Although Fox had caught hold of Turtle's tail, Turtle tricked Fox into letting go of his tail, and so he was able to escape into the water. This story begins with the "Terrapin talk" as Turtle mocks Brer Fox from down in the water. Brer Fox is about to get tricked... again!

[Notes by LKG]

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This story is part of the Brer Rabbit unit. Story source: Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings by Joel Chandler Harris (1881).

Mr. Fox and the Deceitful Frogs

[LIBRIVOX AUDIO]

I-doom-er-ker-kum-mer-ker!
I-doom-er-ker-kum-mer-ker! 
I-doom-er-ker-kum mer-ker!

That's Terrapin talk, that is. That what he said — I-doom-er-ker-kum-mer-ker!  Brer Terrapin was at the bottom of the pond, and he talk back, he did, in bubbles— I-doom-er-ker-kum-mer-ker! 

Brer Fox, he ain't saying nothing.

(image source)

But Brer Bull-Frog, sitting on the bank, he hear Brer Terrapin, he did, and he holler back:
Jug-er-rum-kum-dum! 
Jug-er-rum-kum-dum!

Then Brer Frog holler out:
Knee-deep! 
Knee-deep!

Then old Brer Bull-Frog, he holler back:
Don't-you-ber-lieve-'im! 
Don't-you-ber-lieve-'im!

(image source)

Then the bubbles come up from Brer Terrapin:
I-doom-er-ker-kum- mer-ker!

Then Brer Frog sing out:
Wade in! 
Wade in!

Then old Brer Bull-Frog talk through his hoarseness:
There-you'll-find-your-brother!
There-you'll-find-your-brother!

Sure enough, Brer Fox look over the bank, he did, and there was another Fox looking at him out of the water.

(image source)

Then he reached out for to shake hands, and in he went, heels over head, and Brer Terrapin bubble out:
I-doom-er-ker-kum-mer-ker!

Brer Fox weren't exactly drownded; he did manage for to scramble out, but a little more and the Mud Turtle would've got him, and then he'd've been made ash and world without end.

(image source)

Next: Old Mr. Rabbit, He's a Good Fisherman

(400 words)