Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 20. December, 1877Various
Science
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 20. December, 1877
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals
Another version makes the competitors Buh Deer and Buh Cooter (the negro
name for terrapin or land-tortoise), in which Buh Cooter wins the day by
collusion with some of his closely-resembling kin. Substantially the same
story is to be heard from the natives of each of the four continents, but
whether the African gained his idea of it from Europe or Asia, or whether
the European or Asian gained it from Africa, is perhaps past determining.
The writer can testify that the story as above narrated, or rather the
substance of it, was told him in childhood by negroes supposed to have
obtained it direct from Africa.
Some of these stories are mere laudations of Buh Rabbit's shrewdness and
common sense. Buh Wolf has long had a watering of the mouth for
rabbit-flesh, but has never been able to gratify it. He finally hits upon
the following expedient: He causes a report to be spread that he has
suddenly died, and all his neighbors, especially Buh Rabbit, are invited to
his funeral. He has no doubt that his plump, short-tailed neighbor, being
once enclosed within the walls of his house, will fall an easy prey to
himself and his attending cousins. Buh Rabbit, however, is not to be easily
ensnared. He goes demurely to the house of mourning, but does not enter. He
seats himself on the steps by the side of Buh Cat, who is enjoying the
sunshine in the doorway.
"Is Buh Wolf dead, for true and true?" he inquires.
"I suppose so. Eberybody say he dead," answers Buh Cat.
"How did he die, and when?" he continues to inquire.
Buh Cat gives the particulars as reported to him, and Buh Rabbit pretends
to receive them with all faith, expressing great sorrow for the loss
experienced by the neighborhood. But after a little musing he seems to be
struck with a new idea, and turning to Buh Cat he inquires in hopeful tone,
"But did he _grin_ or _whistle_ before he died? People who die _must_ do
one or t'other; and some, who die hard, do both. I'm a doctor, you know."
This is said in the doorway, near the stiff-looking corpse, and in a
whisper loud enough to be heard all through the room. Very soon Buh Wolf is
heard to whistle, and then his lips settle into a grin so broad as to show
his teeth.
"Buh Cat," says Buh Rabbit, putting his hand on his stomach and screwing up
his face as if seized with mortal sickness, "I mus' hurry home and take
some yarb tea, or mebbe I'll have to grin and whistle like our poor
neighbor. Good-bye, Buh Cat. Come to me, please, after Buh Wolf done berry
and tell me all about it. Good-bye."
To the surprise of all who are not in the secret, the corpse gives a loud
sneeze, then leaps from the table, throws off his "berryin' clothes," and
joins his friends in eating heartily of his own funeral dinner.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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