Brer Rabbit, you's De Cutes' of 'Em All
The narrative unfolds in a gathering of various animals in the wilderness, convened to determine who among them is the greatest. The animals include Brer Rabbit, Brer 'Possum, Brer Wolf, Brer Fox, King Lion, Mister Terrapin, and Mister B'ar. They appoint Jedge Owl to make the decision. After careful consideration, Jedge Owl concludes that while Brer Wolf is cunning, Brer Fox is sly, and the others have their own traits, Brer Rabbit is deemed the cutest of them all. This declaration ignites a fierce debate among the animals, each claiming the title for themselves. The argument escalates into chaos, with animals growling and roaring, creating a tumultuous scene. Amidst the confusion, Brer Rabbit remains on the sidelines, subtly encouraging the discord. As the animals exhaust themselves in their bickering, Brer Rabbit seizes the opportunity to claim the prize for himself and swiftly escapes. The story highlights themes of cunning, competition, and the cleverness of Brer Rabbit, who uses the chaos to his advantage. It showcases the dynamics of the animal kingdom, where each character embodies distinct traits that contribute to the overall narrative. The cleverness of Brer Rabbit stands out, illustrating the idea that wit can triumph over brute strength and that appearances can be deceiving. The tale serves as a moral lesson about the value of intelligence and strategy in overcoming challenges.
By James Weldon Johnson · First published 1935 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Folklore · 323 words
First lines
Once der was a meetin' in de wilderness, All de critters of creation dey was dar;
Brer Rabbit, Brer 'Possum, Brer Wolf, Brer Fox, King Lion, Mister Terrapin, Mister B'ar.
What this Textopian page supports
Brer Rabbit, you's De Cutes' of 'Em All is listed on Textopian as a poem by James Weldon Johnson, dated 1935 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: James Weldon Johnson
- Date: 1935 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Folklore, Humor, Adventure
- Length: 323 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Brer Rabbit, you's De Cutes' of 'Em All by James Weldon Johnson
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Terrible Olli The Story Of An Honest Finn And A Wicked Troll by Parker Fillmore
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- The Poor Turkey Girl by Frank Hamilton Cushing
Genres
- Fable — The story features anthropomorphized animals and conveys a moral lesson, characteristic of fables.
- Children's Literature — The playful language and themes make it suitable for a young audience.
- Folklore — The narrative draws on traditional storytelling elements and cultural heritage.
- Humor — The interactions and cleverness of Brer Rabbit provide comedic elements throughout the story.
Tags
Folklore · Children's Literature · African American Culture · Animal Stories · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Racial Stereotypes · Southern Folk Tales · Brer Rabbit · Trickster Figure · Morality Tales