Rabbit in the Cage

Man caught Rabbit and put him in a cage. "You're too skinny to kill! I'll feed you to fatten you up, then I'll kill you."

Later, Rabbit heard Fox walk by. "Hey Fox!" Rabbit yelled. "I've got so much food. Come join me!"

Fox opened the door of the cage.

"You go on and eat," said Rabbit. "I'm thirsty, so I'm going to go get me a drink."

Rabbit then ran out of the cage and locked the door behind him.

Man was surprised to find Fox in the cage when he came back.

"Rabbit tricked us both!" he said.

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Inspired by: South Carolina Folk Tales. Bulletin of University of South Carolina (a WPA project).
Notes: This story is "Duh Rabbit, Fox, and Goose." The book provides detailed comparative notes for the different motifs combined in this story: False Message, Take My Place, and Bag of Troubles. You can read how Rabbit got caught in the garden here: Rabbit in the Garden.