Br'er Rabbit sorter snoozin’ in de Big Bresh Pile, Years laid back an’ pink eyes shet up tight, Snow a-layin’ deep an’ gittin’ deeper all de while — Br'er Rabbit glad dat he is outer sight.
Pretty soon he hear a noise — dat's Br'er Fox, he know, Gropin’ th'ough de quiet woods, out in de cold an’ snow; “Is dat you, Br'er Rab?” he say — but Br'er Rab lay low An’ never let on dat he heerd him right.
“Come out an’ take a little stroll,” seys Br'er Fox, seys he, Sniffin’ at de bresh pile an’ walkin’ all aroun’; “Much obleeged,” seys Br'er Rab; “but dis will do fer me — Hate ter walk when snow is on de groun’.”
“Woods is lookin’ pretty,” says Br'er Fox; “de sun Is shinin’ jest like diamon's — come on, and have some fun!” “Hafter thank you kindly, but my diamon’ days is done,” Seys Br'er Rab, “dey huhts my eyes, I foun’.”
Br'er Fox, he lick he chops, an’ set down where he at ( Gotter git some plan to bring him out ); Den he say, “Dere's lettuce here — make you nice an’ fat!” But Br'er Rab lay back he haid an’ shout:
“Oh, Br'er Fox, you surely is a liar — dat you is; De lettuce days is done gone by — an’ all de leaves is friz; You'll hafter try anudder way — mah name is Leery Liz!” ( Ol’ Br'er Rabbit slangy, widdout doubt! )
“Dar comes a man!” seys Br'er Fox; “he gotter dog an’ gun! Br'er Rab, you better come wid me!” “Ef dat is true,” seys Br'er Rab, “you orter jump an’ run — He gwine t’ shoot when youah red haid he see!”
“I got a better house dan dis,” seys Br'er Fox; “come on And live wid me — I treat you well — de man and dog is gone!” “An’ s'ply you wid fresh meat? Oh, no, I has n't jest bin bawn,” Seys Br'er Rab; “you make me laff,” seys he.
Den Br'er Fox, he slink away, and bahk like he was sad, An’ Br'er Rab, he shake he sides wid laffin’ — ai n't he bad? He small, but still, he gotter mind — an’ jest fer dat he glad — Ol’ Br'er Rabbit, in de Big Bresh Pile!
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