Rabbit, Frog, and Squirrel up in the Tree

Squirrel raided Rabbit's cornfield. When Rabbit came, Squirrel climbed a tree. Rabbit couldn't climb, so he went to fetch his gun, leaving Frog to stand guard. 
Up in the tree, Squirrel made loud chewing noises.
"What's that you're eating?" asked Frog.
"Peanuts!" answered Squirrel. 
"Throw me some!" said Frog.
Squirrel threw dirt into Frog's eyes.
Frog screamed, rubbing his eyes, and Squirrel got away.
Rabbit returned. "You've got pop-eyes!" he said. 
Frog told Rabbit what happened. "But Squirrel's still up there, I'm sure!"
"I'm sure he's not!" said Rabbit, whacking Frog with his gun.
Frog has pop-eyes to this day.


Inspired by: South Carolina Folk Tales. Bulletin of University of South Carolina (a WPA project).
Notes: This story is "Buddah Frog, Buddah Squel, and Buddah Rabbit." The book provides detailed comparative notes. In the original, which is full of marvelous details, Squirrel throws salt and red pepper and black pepper in Frog's eyes (the narrator notes: "Buddah Squel all time tote dat tuh fool people with!"), but I opted for dirt, as in other folktales of this type.
 

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