Rabbit and Wolf Courting Man's Daughter

Man had a beautiful daughter. Both Wolf and Rabbit were courting her, and she favored Wolf. 
That made Rabbit jealous.
"Hey, Wolf," said Rabbit. "I'll teach you a song for the party tonight. When I sing out 'I wonder who stole all Man's hogs,' you sing back 'Nobody but me-oh!'"
Then Wolf and Rabbit went to the party. Rabbit sang, then Wolf sang, and then Man got his gun and shot Wolf.
Man's daughter started weeping and wailing over the poor dead Wolf.
She ignored Rabbit.
Ignored him completely.
So Rabbit had killed his partner and lost the gal too.



Inspired by: South Carolina Folk Tales. Bulletin of University of South Carolina (a WPA project).
Notes: This story is "Buddah Ringo Hog." The book provides detailed comparative notes. I really like the twist at the end where things don't turn out as Rabbit expected. Wolf doesn't win, but Rabbit doesn't win either! In the original story, Wolf had the prettiest gal and Rabbit had to settle for another gal (who also grieved over the dead Wolf), but I shortened it up by making it the same gal.

 

1 comment:

  1. What was wrong with the girl, ignoring the clever Rabbit and mourning the death of the loser Wolf!

    ReplyDelete