One of dem days, Brer Donkey wuz kiken in de wu'ds w'en he saw ther' wuz a fence. He never'd sen de fence befo', en he saw der wuz de preetius' flowr's en gress to et o'er it.
Dat fence wuz nuttin' but sticks en yern, en Brer Donkey rekn'd he might be eble to kik it dern. He kik'd it one time. He kik'd it two times. Nuttin hapn'd.
Right 'bout den, ole Brer Rabbit hop'd up. "Howdy, Brer Donkey! Watch'a try'na do der?"
Brer Donkey wuz puzzl'd en say, sezee: "I wan'a et de preety gress o'er yond'r dat fence, but I dunner how ter kik it dern." Brer Rabbit tho't en tho't, en as Brer Donkey wuz a fren en n'er hed tri'd te et Brer Rabbit, he tho't he might help 'im out.
Brer Rabbit say, "Brer Donkey, do yer see dem yern's ti'en up dem posts? Dem ones wit der ends frey'd," sezee.
"I do, I well 'nuf do Brer Rabbit. What say yer help'n out a fren en knaw'n off a lil' bit of dat for me," said Brer Donkey, sezee.
Brer Rabit tho't that shur'ly the yern wud hurt hims teeth, but tho't it may be worth the eff'rt for a fren. "I will sheur 'nuf if only you breng me back to my home after yer dun. We heve a deal, Brer Donkey?"
"Shur' 'nuf, Brer Rabbit," says Brer Donkey, sezee. Brer Rabbit got right on dem yern clipp'ns, en soon 'nuf dey wuz on de ground. Brer Donkey brey'd, "Thenk ya, kindl'y Brer Rabbit. Yer a wonderful fren." Brer Donkey kik'd de lest of de fence down to de ground, prenced o'er en et and et 'til he wernt gonna et no mo. Den bimeby, he took Brer Rabbit as promis'd back to de Brer Rabbit Hol'.
The little boy asked sleepily, "Is that how the story ends, Uncle Remus? No sneaky ideas from Brer Rabbit? Brer Donkey just took him home?"
Uncle Remus said, "Wel' lil' boy, don'chu 'no? Re'l frens don bre'k a deal wid a nudder re'l fren."
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Bibliography: Brer Rabbit I by Joel Chandler Harris
Picture Caption: Brer Donkey Dream'n uv Dem Flowr's
Author's Note: This story is loosely based upon the collection of stories in the Brer Rabbit I unit by Joel Chandler Harris. His stories feature the dialect of the African/African Americans of the south in North America. The words embody a way in which to hear the words even though they are written and not spoken. Also, many of the characters in the stories are mischievous, and can rarely get along. I felt like this story could be one in which Brer Donkey and Brer Donkey could get along. They are not out to eat each other. Brer Donkey was just hungry for "gress" and Brer Rabbit merely asked for a ride home for his troubles.
Hi Carli! This story was really good. I have not read any of the Brer Rabbit Stories yet, but I really want to. You did a really great job retelling this in your own way. At first the wording was confusing me, but after reading the author's note I understand. Great job and I cannot wait to read more stories!
ReplyDeleteP.S. The picture of the donkey is so cute. I could literally picture him talking with a cute little bunny the whole time.
DeleteHi Carli! That donkey picture is so cute! I liked how you used the same dialect as in the Brer Rabbit stories because its something very unique and helps set the tone for the story. Making Brer Rabbit and Brer Donkey friends instead of enemies was also a nice change from the original story. Great story! Can't wait to read more of them!
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