Читать книгу The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A–Z of Fantastic Beings from Myth and Magic - John Matthews - Страница 272

Brer or Brother Rabbit is one of the heroes of a cycle of tales told by African Americans. Like Anansi and Coyote, Brer Rabbit is a clever trickster who always comes out on top. These stories were a means by which slaves could empower themselves by cheering on the downfall of Brer Rabbit’s enemies and opponents, and laughing at the clever antics of the trickster. The Brer Rabbit tales were retold by Joel Chandler Harris in his Nights with Uncle Remus.

A South Carolina story tells how Brer Rabbit and Brer Wolf both courted the same girl. Brer Rabbit told the girl that Brer Wolf couldn’t go out with her because Brer Wolf was his riding horse. Brer Wolf was incensed and demanded that Brer Rabbit immediately tell the girl the truth. Feigning sickness, Brer Rabbit inveigled Brer Wolf into carrying him to the girl on his back, and saying that Wolf must wear a saddle. This convinced the girl that Brer Rabbit was telling the truth. Throwing dust in Brer Wolf’s eyes, Brer Rabbit rode him home again.