There had been a long and severe famine in the land where Anansi lived. He had been quite unable to obtain food for his poor wife and family. One day, gazing desperately out to sea, he saw rising from the midst of the water, a tiny island with a tall palm-tree upon it. He determined to reach this tree — if any means proved possible — and climb it, in the hope of finding a few nuts to reward him.
How to get there was the difficulty. This, however, solved itself when he reached the beach, for there lay the means to his hand, in the shape of an old broken boat. It certainly did not look very strong, but Anansi decided to try it.
His first six attempts were unsuccessful — a great wave dashed him back on the beach each time he tried to put off. He was persevering, however, and at the seventh trial was successful in getting away. He steered the battered old boat as best he could, and at length reached the palm-tree of his desire.
Having tied the boat to the trunk of the tree — which grew almost straight out of the water — he climbed toward the nuts. Plucking all he could reach, he dropped them, one by one, down to the boat. To his dismay, every one missed the boat and fell, instead, into the water until only the last one remained. This he aimed even more carefully than the others, but it also fell into the water and disappeared from his hungry eyes. He had not tasted even one and now all were gone.
He could not bear the thought of going home empty-handed, so, in his despair, he threw himself into the water, too. To his complete astonishment, instead of being drowned, he found himself standing on the sea-bottom in front of a pretty little cottage. From the latter came an old man, who asked Anansi what he wanted so badly that he had come to Thunder's cottage to seek it. Anansi told his tale of woe, and Thunder showed himself most sympathetic.
He went into the cottage and fetched a fine cooking-pot, which he presented to Anansi — telling him that he need never be hungry again. The pot would always supply enough food for himself and his family. Anansi was most grateful, and left Thunder with many thanks.
Being anxious to test the pot at once, Anansi only waited till he was again seated in the old boat to say, "Pot, pot, what you used to do for your master do now for me." Immediately good food of all sorts appeared. Anansi ate a hearty meal, which he very much enjoyed.
On reaching land again, his first thought was to run home and give all his family a good meal from his wonderful pot. A selfish, greedy fear prevented him. "What if I should use up all the magic of the pot on them, and have nothing more left for myself! Better keep the pot a secret — then I can enjoy a meal when I want one." So, his mind full of this thought, he hid the pot.
He reached home, pretending to be utterly worn out with fatigue and hunger. There was not a grain of food to be had anywhere. His wife and poor children were weak with want of it, but selfish Anansi took no notice of that. He congratulated himself at the thought of his magic pot, now safely hidden in his room. There he retired from time to time when he felt hungry, and enjoyed a good meal.
Anansi's family got thinner and thinner, but he grew plumper and plumper. They began to suspect some secret, and determined to find it out. His eldest son, Kweku Tsin, had the power of changing himself into any shape he chose; so he took the form of a tiny fly, and accompanied his father everywhere. At last, Anansi, feeling hungry, entered his room and closed the door. Next he took the pot, and had a fine meal. Having replaced the pot in its hiding-place, he went out, on the pretence of looking for food.
As soon as he was safely out of sight, Kweku Tsin fetched out the pot and called all his hungry family to come at once. They had as good a meal as their father had had.
When they had finished, Mrs. Anansi — to punish her husband — said she would take the pot down to the village and give everybody a meal. This she did — but alas! in working to prepare so much food at one time, the pot grew too hot and melted away. What was to be done now? Anansi would be so angry! His wife forbade every one to mention the pot.
Anansi returned, ready for his supper, and, as usual, went into his room, carefully shutting the door. He went to the hiding-place — it was empty. He looked around in consternation. No pot was to be seen anywhere. Some one must have discovered it. His family must be the culprits; he would find a means to punish them.
Saying nothing to any one about the matter, he waited till morning. As soon as it was light he started off towards the shore, where the old boat lay. Getting into the boat, it started of its own accord and glided swiftly over the water — straight for the palm-tree.
Arrived there, Anansi attached the boat as before and climbed the tree. This time, unlike the last, the nuts almost fell into his hands. When he aimed them at the boat they fell easily into it — not one, as before, dropping into the water. He deliberately took them and threw them over-board, immediately jumping after them.
As before, he found himself in front of Thunder's cottage, with Thunder waiting to hear his tale. This he told, the old man showing the same sympathy as he had previously done.
This time, however, he presented Anansi with a fine stick and bade him good-bye. Anansi could scarcely wait till he got into the boat so anxious was he to try the magic properties of his new gift. "Stick, stick," he said, "what you used to do for your master do for me also."
The stick began to beat him so severely that, in a few minutes, he was obliged to jump into the water and swim ashore, leaving boat and stick to drift away where they pleased. Then he returned sorrowfully homeward, bemoaning his many bruises and wishing he had acted more wisely from the beginning.

Story Title:  4. Thunder and Anansi
Book Title: West African Folktales
Authors: William H. Barker and Cecilia Sinclair
Illustrations: Cecilia Sinclair
Published: 1917
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: Light editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

Near Anansi's miserable little hut there was a fine palace where lived a very rich man called Nothing. Nothing and Anansi proposed, one day, to go to the neighboring town to get some wives. Accordingly, they set off together.
Nothing, being a rich man, wore a very fine velvet cloth, while Anansi had a ragged cotton one. While they were on their way Anansi persuaded Nothing to change clothes for a little while, promising to give back the fine velvet before they reached the town. He delayed doing this, however, first on one pretext, then on another — till they arrived at their destination.
Anansi, being dressed in such a fine garment, found no difficulty in getting as many wives as he wished. Poor Nothing, with his ragged and miserable cloth, was treated with great contempt. At first he could not get even one wife. At last, however, a woman took pity on him and gave him her daughter. The poor girl was laughed at very heartily by Anansi's wives for choosing such a beggar as Nothing appeared to be. She wisely took no notice of their scorn.
The party set off for home. When they reached the crossroads leading to their respective houses the women were astonished. The road leading to Anansi's house was only half cleared. The one which led to Nothing's palace was, of course, wide and well made. Not only so, but his servants had strewn it with beautiful skins and carpets, in preparation for his return. Servants were there, awaiting him, with fine clothes for himself and his wife. No one was waiting for Anansi.
Nothing's wife was queen over the whole district and had everything her heart could desire. Anansi's wives could not even get proper food; they had to live on unripe bananas with peppers.
The wife of Nothing heard of her friends' miserable state and invited them to a great feast in her palace. They came, and were so pleased with all they saw that they agreed to stay there. Accordingly, they refused to come back to Anansi's hut.
He was very angry, and tried in many ways to kill Nothing, but without success. Finally, however, he persuaded some rat friends to dig a deep tunnel in front of Nothing's door. When the hole was finished Anansi lined it with knives and broken bottles. He then smeared the steps of the palace with okro to make them very slippery, and withdrew to a little distance.
When he thought Nothing's household was safely in bed and asleep, he called to Nothing to come out to the courtyard and see something. Nothing's wife, however, dissuaded him from going. Anansi tried again and again, and each time she bade her husband not to listen.
At last Nothing determined to go and see this thing. As he placed his foot on the first step, of course he slipped, and down he fell into the hole. The noise alarmed the household. Lights were fetched and Nothing was found in the ditch, so much wounded by the knives that he soon died.
His wife was terribly grieved at his untimely death. She boiled many yams, mashed them, and took a great dishful of them round the district. To every child she met she gave some, so that the child might help her to cry for her husband.
This is why, if you find a child crying and ask the cause, you will often be told he is "crying for nothing."

Story Title: 3. Anansi and Nothing
Book Title: West African Folktales
Authors: William H. Barker and Cecilia Sinclair
Illustrations: Cecilia Sinclair
Published: 1917
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: Light editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

There once lived, in Fanti-land, a man named Father Anansi. He possessed all the wisdom in the world. People came to him daily for advice and help.
One day the men of the country were unfortunate enough to offend Father Anansi, who immediately resolved to punish them. After much thought he decided that the severest penalty he could inflict would be to hide all his wisdom from them. He set to work at once to gather again all that he had already given. When he had succeeded, as he thought, in collecting it, he placed all in one great pot. This he carefully sealed, and determined to put it in a spot where no human being could reach it.
Now, Father Anansi had a son, whose name was Kweku Tsin. This boy began to suspect his father of some secret design, so he made up his mind to watch carefully. Next day he saw his father quietly slip out of the house, with his precious pot hung round his neck. Kweku Tsin followed.
Father Anansi went through the forest till he had left the village far behind. Then, selecting the highest and most inaccessible-looking tree, he began to climb. The heavy pot, hanging in front of him, made his ascent almost impossible. Again and again he tried to reach the top of the tree, where he intended to hang the pot. There, he thought, Wisdom would indeed be beyond the reach of every one but himself. He was unable, however, to carry out his desire. At each trial the pot swung in his way.
For some time Kweku Tsin watched his father's vain attempts. At last, unable to contain himself any longer, he cried out, "Father, why do you not hang the pot on your back? Then you could easily climb the tree."
Father Anansi turned and said, "I thought I had all the world's wisdom in this pot. But I find you possess more than I do. All my wisdom was insufficient to show me what to do, yet you have been able to tell me."
In his anger he threw the pot down. It struck on a great rock and broke. The wisdom contained in it escaped and spread throughout the world.

Story Title: 2. How Wisdom Became the Property of the Human Race
Book Title: West African Folktales
Authors: William H. Barker and Cecilia Sinclair
Illustrations: Cecilia Sinclair
Published: 1917
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: Light editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

In the olden days all the stories which men told were stories of Nyankupon, the chief of the gods. Spider, who was very conceited, wanted the stories to be told about him.
Accordingly, one day he went to Nyankupon and asked that, in future, all tales told by men might be Anansi stories, instead of Nyankupon stories. Nyankupon agreed, on one condition. He told Spider (or Anansi) that he must bring him three things: the first was a jar full of live bees, the second was a boa-constrictor, and the third a tiger. Spider gave his promise.
He took an earthen vessel and set out for a place where he knew were numbers of bees. When he came in sight of the bees he began saying to himself, "They will not be able to fill this jar" — "Yes, they will be able" — "No, they will not be able," until the bees came up to him and said, "What are you talking about, Mr. Anansi?"
He thereupon explained to them that Nyankupon and he had had a great dispute. Nyankupon had said the bees could not fly into the jar — Anansi had said they could. The bees immediately declared that of course they could fly into the jar — which they at once did. As soon as they were safely inside, Anansi sealed up the jar and sent it off to Nyankupon.
Next day he took a long stick and set out in search of a boa-constrictor. When he arrived at the place where one lived he began speaking to himself again. "He will just be as long as this stick" — "No, he will not be so long as this" — "Yes, he will be as long as this." These words he repeated several times, till the boa came out and asked him what was the matter.
"Oh, we have been having a dispute in Nyankupon's town about you. Nyankupon's people say you are not as long as this stick. I say you are. Please let me measure you by it."
The boa innocently laid himself out straight, and Spider lost no time in tying him on to the stick from end to end. He then sent him to Nyankupon.
The third day he took a needle and thread and sewed up his eye. He then set out for a den where he knew a tiger lived. As he approached the place he began to shout and sing so loudly that the tiger came out to see what was the matter. "Can you not see?" said Spider. "My eye is sewn up and now I can see such wonderful things that I must sing about them."
"Sew up my eyes," said the tiger, "then I too can see these surprising sights."
Spider immediately did so. Having thus made the tiger helpless, he led him straight to Nyankupon's house.
Nyankupon was amazed at Spider's cleverness in fulfilling the three conditions. He immediately gave him permission for the future to call all the old tales Anansi tales.

Story Title: 1. How We Got the Name 'Spider Tales'
Book Title: West African Folktales
Authors: William H. Barker and Cecilia Sinclair
Illustrations: Cecilia Sinclair
Published: 1917
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: Light editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

Buh Rabbit and Buh Wolf gone along the river bank for hunt Cooter egg. Them Cooter plan come out of the water when the tide high, and dig hole in the sand, and lay them egg, and cover them over so crow and thing can't find him. Buh Rabbit and Buh Wolf come top of enough of Cooter nest, and them gather the egg and share him equal. Them put him in bag, and as them been going home, the egg so fresh and sweet, Buh Rabbit slip he hand in he bag and unbeknownst to Buh Wolf he suck all the egg what been fall to him share before them reach the fork of the road where them gonna part company.
Buh Wolf tote all him egg home, and give him to him wife.
He ain't been in he house very long when up come Buh Rabbit do puff and do blow. Soon as he catch he breath he say, "Buh Wolf, what you been do along them Cooter egg? Ain't you find out say them spoil? Me been give some of mine to me wife, and he give him cramp colic right off. Me run all the way for tell you, so you can save you family from sick."
Buh Wolf never suspicion say Buh Rabbit been a-tell him lie, and he thank him very much, and he gone get the Cooter egg and throw him away. Buh Rabbit notice where Buh Wolf been throw the egg; and soon as Buh Wolf gone back in him house, Buh Rabbit gather them up and tote him off in the bush, and sit down and beginning for eat them just as satisfy as can be.
He so happen say Buh Wolf come upon top of Buh Rabbit do eat them Cooter egg, and he see right off how Buh Rabbit done fool him. He get real mad, and he make he jump for grab Buh Rabbit, but Buh Rabbit too quick for him, and he take to he heel. Buh Wolf push him so tight he make him quit the ground and take to one persimmon tree. Buh Rabbit so light he gone out on one little limb where Buh Wolf couldn't follow him nor reach him.
When Buh Wolf find out he couldn't put he hand upon top of Buh Rabbit for lick him, he call to Buh Possum, what been have house close by, and he ask him for run there and watch Buh Rabbit till him could a-get him ax for cut down the tree and catch Buh Rabbit.
Buh Possum come, and he sit down under the tree do guard Buh Rabbit while Buh Wolf gone for him ax.
After a while Buh Rabbit say, "Buh Possum, them here persimmon very sweet. Ain't you want some?"
Buh Possum, him make answer, "Yes, me Brother, me very love persimmon, and me will glad for get some."
Then Buh Rabbit tell him for step to him house and fetch he fanner for catch the persimmon as he pick him and drop him. Buh Possum so anxious for taste the persimmon he clean forget what Buh Wolf been left him for do, and so he gone to him house for get he fanner.
Soon as he back turn, Buh Rabbit slip down the tree and lean for home.
When Buh Wolf come with he ax, he find Buh Rabbit and Buh Possum all two gone. He that vexed he don't know what for do. In a little while here come Buh Possum do tote he fanner. Buh Wolf question him, and when he find out how Buh Rabbit done fool him and get way, he turn in and cuss Buh Possum and beat him.
He take a smart somebody for head Buh Rabbit.

Story Title: Buh Rabbit, Buh Wolf, and Buh Possum
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

Buh Rabbit greedy for have more sense than all the the other animal. He ain't love for work, and he try heap of scheme for get he living out of other people by fool him.
One time he gone to one wise Conjure Man for learn him him way, and for get him knowledge, so him can astonish the other people and make them believe say him been wise more nor everybody. The Conjure Man learn him heap of curious thing.
At last Buh Rabbit ask him for give him he full knowledge.
The Conjure Man say, "Buh Rabbit, you have sense enough aready."
Buh Rabbit keep on beg him, and then the Conjure Man make answer, "If you can catch one big rattlesnake and fetch him to me live, me gonna do what you ask me for do."
Buh Rabbit get heself one long stick and he gone the wood. He hunt till he find one whaling of a rattlesnake do curl up on one log. He pass the time of day very polite with him, and afterwards he bet the snake say him ain't been as long as the stick what him have in him hand.
Buh Rattlesnake laugh at him, and he make answer that he know he is long more than the stick.
For settle the bet Buh Rattlesnake stretch heself out to he very length on the log, and Buh Rabbit put the pole alongside of him for measure him. Man sir! Before Buh Rattlesnake find out, Buh Rabbit slip one noose round he neck and fasten him tight to the end of the pole.
Buh Rattlesnake twist heself, and wrap heself round and round the pole, and try for get he head loose, but all he twist and turn ain't do him no good. And so Buh Rabbit catch him, and carry him to the Conjure Man.
The Conjure Man real surprise, and he say, "Buh Rabbit, me always been hear say you been have heap of sense, but now me know that you got him. If you can fool Rattlesnake, you have all the sense you want."
When Buh Rabbit keep on beg the Conjure Man for give him more sense, the Conjure Man answer, "You go fetch me a swarm of yellowjacket, and when you bring him to me, me promise you to give you all the sense you want."
Everybody know say yellowjacket worse than wasp, and bee, and hornet. He sting so bad, and he very love for drop top of every thing what come close he nest, and without give him any warning. So what Buh Rabbit do? He gone and he get one big calabash, and he scraped him out clean, and he cut one hole in him, and he put honey in him, and he tie him on the end of one long pole. Then he hunt till he find a yellowjacket nest, and he set the calabash close by him without worry the yellowjacket, and he left him there, and he stand off and watch him.
By and by the yellowjacket scent the honey, and them come out the nest and gone in the calabash for eat the honey. When the calabash full of yellowjacket, Buh Rabbit slip up and stop the hole, and carry him to the Conjure Man.
The Conjure Man make a great admiration over what Buh Rabbit been done, and he say, "Buh Rabbit, you is certainly the smartest of all the animal, and your sense shall get more and more every day. More than that, me gonna put white spot on your forehead, so everybody can see you have the best sense in you head."
And that the way Buh Rabbit come for have a little tut of white hair between he ears.

Story Title: Buh Rabbit and the Conjure Man
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

After Buh Rabbit been fool Buh Wolf about them Cooter egg and slip away from Buh Possum, he afraid for meet Buh Wolf, and he walk very skittish every time he left he house. Buh Wolf been on the keen look-out for him.
One day them meet. Buh Wolf, him say, "Haw! Brother, me got you now. You dodge me long time. every man for hisself." With that he take after Buh Rabbit.
Buh Rabbit, him been acquaintance with all the hollow tree in the wood, and when Buh Wolf push him close, he jump in one of them.
Buh Wolf run up and he say, "Me got you now. Come out and take you lick, or me gonna burn you up in this tree." He no been know say another hollow been on the other side of the tree, and that Buh Rabbit done run clean through and gone.
When he couldn't hear nothing from Buh Rabbit, Buh Wolf gather fat pine stick, and he poke him in the hollow and he put fire to him. The fire roll, and Buh Wolf feed him till the tree burn down. He satisfy say Buh Rabbit done burn up, and he gone home, and he make he brag to him family say him been destroy Buh Rabbit.
He ain't been three day after that when lo and behold! Buh Wolf meet Buh Rabbit do sit down in the big road, just as content as if nothing been happen, do lick hisself. Buh Wolf hail him and he say, "Buh Rabbit, that do you? Ain't me been burn you up the other day? What you do do, do lick youself so happy and content?"
Buh Rabbit, him make answer, "Brother, that hollow, where you been try for burn me in, gone to the top of the tree, and he been full of honey. The fire melt the honey, and he run down and cover me all over. Me ain't done get him all off of me till now. You come taste me and see how sweet me is."
Buh Wolf so love honey he forget he spite against Buh Rabbit, and he come up and he taste him, and he find out say honey been all over Buh Rabbit. Then he ask Buh Rabbit for show him one hollow where him can get some honey.
Buh Rabbit agree for do so if Buh Wolf would make friend with him. Them shake hand, and then Buh Rabbit tell Buh Wolf for follow him. He take him to one tree what have hollow on one side, but what shut up on the other side, and he tell Buh Wolf say that tree full of honey, and he must get in and crawl up nigh the top as he could go.
Buh Wolf trust Buh Rabbit, and he gone in the hollow. Soon as he get in, Buh Rabbit take one lightwood knot and he chink up the hole so Buh Wolf couldn't come out. Then he gather some fat pine, and he make fire and he burn Buh Wolf up in the hollow.
While he do bun, Buh Wolf beg and pray Buh Rabbit for let him come out, but Buh Rabbit wouldn't hear him.
Buh Rabbit little for true and he ain't strong, but he very schemy and he have a bad heart.

Story Title: Buh Rabbit, Buh Wolf, and the Hollow Tree
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

Buh Rabbit is a soon man. You have to get up before day for head him. Wherever you find him, he ears cock up for hear every thing what do going on. He nose do twist from side to side for catch all the scent do float in the element, and when he walk about he hop so light you think there spirit. He love for live close big road and settlement, where him can acquaintance with all what happen, and pick he chance for make he living easy.
One time a old Man have a fish trap what make with board. He have a gate. When the tide do come in the creek, the gate open and let the fish in; and when the tide do going back the river, the gate shut and stop all the fish what there in the creek. Every low tide the old Man take he little wagon and visit he trap, and collect the fish and put him in he wagon and carry him home for him and he family for eat.
Buh Rabbit watch the old Man as he pass day after day along the big road, and he hanker after the fish, but he ain't know rightly how for get some. After a while he fix this plan. The next time he see the old Man do coming along the road with he wagon and fish, he laid down just on the edge of the road, and he pant same like he been going for dead.
As the old man been a-pass along he notice him, and he stop, and he gone to him and he ask him what ail him.
Buh Rabbit make answer in a voice so little you scarcely can hear him, and tell him say he very sick; that he been going home when he back and he leg give out, and he couldn't travel no further. Then he beg the old Man for take him up in he wagon and carry him along the big road till he come to the place where him for turn off for going to him house. The old Man agree for do so, and he lift Buh Rabbit up, and he put him in he wagon alongside the pile of fish.
Buh Rabbit lay down like he dead. The old Man back turn to Buh Rabbit. In a little while Buh Rabbit beginning for slip fish out of the wagon, and throw him, unbeknownst to the old Man, in the bush what been a-grow alongside of the road.
When them most get to the place where the old Man gonna turn out the big road, Buh Rabbit hop out of the wagon without the old Man see, and run back and gather all the fish what him been thief.
As the old Man reach he big gate, he look behind for see how Buh Rabbit do make out; and the first thing he know Buh Rabbit ain't there in the wagon, and heap of him fish done missing. Then the old Man find out say Buh Rabbit been fool him and thief he fish. The old Man very vexed, and he drive home and tell he wife about the thing.
After Buh Rabbit done gather the fish what he been thief out of the old Man wagon, he put him on string, and he start for tote him to him house. Buh Fox meet him, and he inquire where he get all them fish. Buh Rabbit up and tell him. Buh Fox say him want get some too. Then Buh Rabbit make him sensible when the old Man gonna come long the road, and he show him good place for him for work he plan for do just as him been do.
The next day Buh Fox take he stand side of the big road and wait for the old Man and he wagon. Before long here he come. Buh Fox throw hisself on the ground, and roll over, and moan very pitiful.
The old Man see, and he light off of he wagon and run up to him with he big whip in he hand. Buh Fox been think say the old Man gonna pity him, and take him in he wagon same like he done Buh Rabbit. Instead of that, and before he find out, the old Man knock him in the head with the butt of he whip and stunned him. Then he beat him to death, and he take him up and he throw him in he wagon, and he drive home. When he get there he call he wife and he show him the thief what been take he fish. The old Man ain't been know the difference between Buh Rabbit and Buh Fox. He think all two been the same animal.
Buh Rabbit, him no care so he save hisself. Him been know say Buh Fox gonna catch the Devil when the old Man come upon top of him.

Story Title: Buh Rabbit, Buh Fox, and the Fisherman
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

(this was a temporary page to be removed)

(this was a temporary page; to be removed)

Ever since that time when Buh Wolf catch Buh Rabbit do thief water out of him spring, and he been tie him to the sparkleberry bush and lick him, Buh Rabbit hate Buh Wolf and make plan for get even with him.
Them all two love fish. Buh Rabbit and Buh Porpoise been good friend, and many a time Buh Porpoise plan give Buh Rabbit some of the fish what him catch. One day, Buh Porpoise, him been very lucky in he fishing, and he fetch for Buh Rabbit more than two quart of gannet mullet, and blow him on the bank where Buh Rabbit can get him without wet he foot. Buh Rabbit, him tell him heap of thanky, and he carry him to him house. Before he part company with Buh Porpoise, he tell him how Buh Wolf been catch him and tie him and lick him, how he vexed along Buh Wolf, and how he want Buh Porpoise for help him for punish Buh Wolf.
Then them make plan like this: Buh Porpoise been for come back to the same place next day and let Buh Rabbit tie grapevine round him, so Buh Wolf can pull him out of the water for eat him. When Buh Wolf take he hold for pull Buh Porpoise out of the water, then Buh Porpoise was to make he flirt and jerk Buh Wolf in the river and drown him. So they agree, and Buh Rabbit gone home along he fish.
When he get to he house he send one of him gal to Buh Wolf house for tell him him have some nice fish, and to invite Buh Wolf and him family for take breakfast along him next morning. Buh Wolf, him well pleased, and he say him and he family gonna come with pleasure.
Them did come. The fish sweet. Buh Wolf, him and he wife and he chillun enjoy him very much. Buh Wolf ask Buh Rabbit where he get the fish, and Buh Rabbit tell him say him friend, Buh Porpoise, plan catch him for him, and that him have a appointment that very day with Buh Porpoise. Buh Wolf beg Buh Rabbit for let him go along too, and see if him couldn't make arrangement with Buh Porpoise for find him fish. Buh Rabbit say him willing; so them finish breakfast and gone for meet Buh Porpoise.
As them do doing Buh Rabbit tell Buh Wolf say Porpoise meat very nice, and he think maybe them can catch Buh Porpoise and eat him.
Buh Wolf inquire, "How you gonna do him?"
Then Buh Rabbit, him make answer, "Me tell you how we gonna work this thing. Me good friend to Buh Porpoise, and when we get to the river bank me gonna tell Buh Porpoise let we have a game, and see who can pull the strongest. Then we will take a grapevine and tie him round Buh Porpoise head, and you and me will take the other end, and we surely can drag Buh Porpoise out of the river; and when we get him out he gonna dead, and we will have heap of vittle for eat."
Buh Wolf, him no been know the plan what Buh Rabbit already done fix with Buh Porpoise, and so he agree to all what Buh Rabbit been say.
When them get to the river bank, there was Buh Porpoise do wait for Buh Rabbit. Buh Rabbit make him acquaintance with Buh Wolf, and after a while Buh Wolf ask Buh Porpoise for find him fish same like he find Buh Rabbit, and Buh Porpoise agree for do so.
Then Buh Rabbit, him say, "Let we have some fun, and see who can pull the strongest, Buh Porpoise against me and Buh Wolf."
Buh Porpoise say him willing.
With that, Buh Rabbit get one long grapevine, and he tie one end round Buh Porpoise head, and the the other end he tie first round Buh Wolf body, and then round him own; but he left the end loose so him can slip out.
Then he give the word for pull.
As he done that he slip out of the vine, and left Buh Wolf alone for pull against Buh Porpoise. At the first, when Buh Porpoise ease hisself off in the river, he pull sort of light, and then he give way, and Buh Wolf, him thought him gonna outpull him.
But in a little while Buh Porpoise sort of hump he back and flirt he tail, and here Buh Wolf come for the water. He dig he paw in the sand, and he holler to Buh Rabbit for turn him loose; but Buh Rabbit wouldn't touch him, and so Buh Porpoise drag him, do scuffle and do holler, clean in the river and under the water, and drown Buh Wolf.
After that Buh Porpoise swim back to the bank and Buh Rabbit take off the grapevine from round he neck, and them left Buh Wolf in the water for shark and alligator for eat.
Buh Rabbit and Buh Porpoise done Buh Wolf a mean trick.

Story Title: Buh Rabbit, Buh Wolf, and the Porpoise
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

You ever notice say Buh Elephant ears all the time do hang down, and he can't cock him up like the the other critter? He hinge to he ears look like he broke. You know what make so? If you ain't know, lemme tell you.
Buh Rabbit and Buh Elephant, them plan ramble through the same wood. Buh Rabbit, him live off of the young grass, and Buh Elephant, him eat the tree limb. Them been acquaintance with one another; and, whenever them meet, them used for pass the time of day. Buh Rabbit, him too little for Buh Elephant for keep company along.
In the spring of the year Buh Rabbit been make he nest under one bush, and he line him and he cover him over complete along soft dry grass. He have three little chillun in that nest.
One day Buh Elephant been a-hunt he vittle, and he gone miss and mash top of Buh Rabbit nest, and kill he chillun.
Buh Rabbit no been there at the time, and when he get back he find he nest done broke up, and all three he chillun squash flat. He see by the track say Buh Elephant been do that.
He gone right off and he tackle Buh Elephant about him. Buh Elephant make answer and say him ain't do him; him ain't know nothing about him. When Buh Rabbit find he can't get no satisfaction out of Buh Elephant, he cut down, and he very vexed, and he make plan for get even with Buh Elephant for the big damage what him been done to him and he family.
He acquaintance with the place where Buh Elephant plan lay down for take he rest; so he watch him, and when he done gone the bed, Buh Rabbit, him slip back and he call he wife, and them gather dry leaf and dead grass, and them tote him to the spot where Buh Elephant do sleep, and them full all two Buh Elephant ears along the leaf and grass. Then them strike fire and clap him to the dry grass and leaf what them been put in Buh Elephant ears. He blaze up.
Buh Elephant wake. He couldn't make out what happen. The thing begin for burn him bad. He holler for somebody for help him. He roll over and try for out the fire in he ears. He take he trunk and try for lick him out, but before the fire done out, he burn the hinge of all two he ears, so he couldn't lift him up no more.
That the way Buh Rabbit take he revenge on Buh Elephant 'cause he mash he chillun, and that the reason how come Buh Elephant have flop ears till today.

Story Title: Buh Rabbit and Buh Elephant
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

After Buh Wolf been lick Buh Rabbit and throw him in the brier patch 'cause he catch him do thief water out of him spring, Buh Rabbit afraid for meet Buh Wolf, and him left and gone build heself new house in Buh Bear settlement.
Buh Bear, him have well, and instead of Buh Rabbit find him own water, he plan slip to Buh Bear well and thief water out of him. Buh Bear find this out, but Buh Rabbit so schemy Buh Bear couldn't put he hand top of him for catch him. So he get one big crawfish and he put him in the well, and he tell him for guard the well, and fasten everybody what come there for thief water.
The next time Buh Rabbit gone the well along him calabash for get some water, the first thing he know the crawfish grab him by he tail. Buh Rabbit holler, and he pull where he left he tail in the crawfish claw. And that the way Buh Rabbit come for lose he tail. He tail stumpy till this day.

Story Title: Buh Rabbit and the Crawfish
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

Another way Buh Rabbit have for make he living without work been this. He have in he pocket a pretty, smooth rock, about the size of of Turkey egg. With them people what no acquaintance with him he pass heself off for a first-class cook, and he tell him say he have one rock what make purpose for give soup the best taste; and that the soup what make along that rock sweeter than all other soup.
He gone to Buh Bear house, and Buh Bear hearky to him, and engage him for make some soup along he rock. Buh Rabbit put on the pot, and he boil water in him along the stone. Then he call for meat, and vegetable, and all kind of seasoning, and he stir him and he cook him all together, and he did make a nice soup. He fool Buh Bear, and he make him believe say he been the rock what give such a rich flavor to the soup, when the fact been say the rock ain't have nothing for do along him, but that the other thing what gone in the pot, them do* the thing what make the soup. Buh Rabbit get big dinner at Buh Bear house that day.
Another time, when he been very hungry, he gone to Buh Cooter house, and he fool him same fashion, and he get a heavy dinner there too.
He do this way for some time, going from house to house.
At length he miss and gone to Buh Fox house, and tell him about he rock-soup. Buh Fox, him no fool. Him a smart man, and he see through the thing right off. But he ain't let Buh Rabbit see that he suspicion anything, and he tell him for go head and make he soup. He hand out whatever Buh Rabbit call for, and he wait top of him till the soup done. Then he taste him, and when he find he taste same like any other soup make along the thing what he hand Buh Rabbit for put in the pot, he take Buh Rabbit rock, and he throw him down the well, and he cuss Buh Rabbit for a swindler, and make him ashamed before all he family, and make him leave.
Buh Rabbit and Buh Fox, both of them very cunning, but this time Buh Fox him cunning more than Buh Rabbit.

Story Title: Buh Rabbit and the Rock Soup
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

There never been a man what can equal Buh Rabbit for make plan for live off of the other people without work hisself. Ground-Mole been very thick. On every side them been a-root up the tater patch, and destroy peanuts. Nobody know how for catch him, 'cause he work under the ground, and when you go for find him he ain't there-there.
Buh Rabbit, him see he chance, and he tell everybody him know how for destroy him. The thing come to Buh Wolf ears, and he send for Buh Rabbit. Buh Rabbit gone to Buh Wolf, and he tell him yes, him have plan for clear the field of Ground-Mole, and that him won't charge Buh Wolf nothing but him board and lodgment while him do catch and kill the Ground-Mole.
Buh Wolf, him say Buh Rabbit very kind, and he agree for find him. Then Buh Wolf have one nice bed make up for Buh Rabbit, and he tell he wife for feed him well.
Buh Wolf have some business what call him away from home, and he expect for gone about one week. He left Buh Rabbit for clean the Ground-Mole out of he field, and then he gone. Buh Rabbit, him well satisfy. Every morning, after breakfast, he move off like he been going to Buh Wolf field, and nobody see him till dinner time. After he done eat a heavy dinner, he gone again till supper time, when he come back and eat a heavy supper, and then he lay down the bed.
Nobody can see any Ground-Mole what
Buh Rabbit catch, but he tell Buh Wolf wife that he been a-kill heap of them every day, and that he gonna soon clear the field. The thing gone on this way till Buh Wolf turn home. When he reach he house he inquire about Buh Rabbit, and he wife tell him what Buh Rabbit been a-say and a-do, and that Buh Rabbit gone the field just after breakfast. Buh Wolf say him gonna see for heself what Buh Rabbit do do, and what plan he fix for catch the Ground-Mole.
When he get the field he look up and down, and he ain't see no sign of Buh Rabbit. He notice he crop, and the Ground-Mole do eat him worse then never. He search for Buh Rabbit track, and he can't see no way. Buh Wolf make up he mind that Buh Rabbit ain't do the first thing in the field. The sun hot. Buh Wolf gone in the edge of the wood, and there he come upon top of Buh Rabbit stretched out in a bed what he been make out of pine straw under one tree, fast to sleep. He ain't been study about Buh Wolf, or the Ground-Mole what been a-bother the field.
Buh Wolf slip up, and he grab him tight. Buh Rabbit so scared he forget for lie, and Buh Wolf make him confess he ain't know how for catch Ground-Mole, that he never did kill none, and that he been live off of Buh Wolf vittle ever since he left.
Buh Wolf, him so vex he get grapevine and he tie Buh Rabbit hand and foot, and he lick him till he tired. All this time Buh Rabbit been a-holler and a-beg. At length Buh Wolf loose him, and run him off of the place.
He ain't often Buh Rabbit catch at him trick, but he meet he match this time.

Story Title: Buh Rabbit and the Ground-Mole
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

You never been see a finer bird than Buh Chanticleer. He feather he glisten same like silver in the sun. He step so high, and he ain't afraid nothing. When he crow you could hear him all through the settlement. The hen all love him, and run to him whenever him call. He can lick all them the other rooster; and just as soon as he make motion at them, them run.
Before he been find him out for true, there been a big yellow Rooster in the gang what try for dispute Buh Chanticleer, and make he brag say he can lick him. Them fight. The big yellow Rooster couldn't stand up before Buh Chanticleer. He grab him, he pick him in he back, he knock him over, and he run him out the yard.
After that, the yellow Rooster afraid for come nigh Buh Chanticleer. He run every time he see Buh Chanticleer do walk towards him, but he have a way for devil Buh Chanticleer. He go way off, and every time he hear Buh Chanticleer flap he wing and crow, him do the same. Soon a-morning when Buh Chanticleer crow for day, the big yellow Rooster, him crow too. The thing bother Buh Chanticleer, and he want for kill him. He try hard for find out where he roost.
One day one of the hen what belongs to Buh Chanticleer family make him sensible just where the yellow Rooster plan roost. Then Buh Chanticleer, him send for Buh Fox. He come, and Buh Chanticleer ask him say, "You want one fat Rooster for eat?"
Buh Fox, him answer, "Yes, me very glad for get him, and heap of thanky to you too."
Then Buh Chanticleer tell him for come the first moon-shiny night, and him will show him where he can get a good supper. Buh Fox happy, and he promise for come.
He did come the first moon-shiny night, and Buh Chanticleer gone along him and point out the big yellow Rooster do sleep in one low cedar tree. Buh Fox creep up easy, and grab him and eat him. When he done eat him, and he do lick he mouth.
Buh Chanticleer ask him, "How you like him?"
Buh Fox make answer, "Me like him very well. He been fat. He meat sweet. Me like him so much me want more."
With that, and before Buh Chanticleer can make out what he intend for do, he jump upon top of Buh Chanticleer, and mash him to death, and eat him up.
When you want somebody for do you service, call upon you friend, but don't trust you enemy for done him.

Story Title: Chanticleer and the Barnyard Rooster
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

The Eagle, him do a wise bird. He make he nest on one tall pine tree close the river, or the sea, where nothing can get at him. He satisfy with two chillun. He take good care of him. Every hour he fetch him snake and fish, and he guard him from wind and rain and Fowl-Hawk, and make him grow fast. When he wing cover with feather and he strong enough for fly, what Buh Eagle do? He won't leave them chillun in the nest for lazy and live upon top of he father and he mother, but he take him on he wing, and he sail over the sea, and he tell he chillun, "The time come for you for make your own living. Me feed you long enough. Now you have to look out for yourself." With that, he fly from under them, and the young bird, when he find out he mother ain't gonna carry him no further, and that them have to shift for themself, them try he wing and sail off in the element do hunt vittle.
People ought to take notice of Buh Eagle and do just as him do. When you chillun get big enough for work, make him work. Don't let him sit about the house do do nothing, and do exspect he father and he mother for find vittle and clothes for him. If you does, your chillun gonna make you shame, and he will turn out very trifling. He will keep you dead poor, too.
Do same like Buh Eagle. Mind your chillun well when them little; and soon them big enough for work, make him work.

Story Title: The Eagle and he Chillun
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

Buh Wolf, him hire Buh Rabbit for help him work he crop. He crop, he there in the grass, and Buh Wolf afraid he gonna lose him. Before them start the field, Buh Rabbit notice say Buh Wolf have in him house a nice pan of fresh butter. He mouth water for get some, but he ashamed for beg Buh Wolf. Buh Rabbit, him very love for thief, and he make he plan for get some of that butter.
Buh Wolf and Buh Rabbit done gone the field and turn in for work. The sun hot, and before long Buh Rabbit beginning for drop behind. Then all of of sudden he throw down he hoe, and he look way off, and he cock up he ears, and he holler out, "Me hear you. Me do coming."
Buh Wolf, him turn round, and he say, "Buh Rabbit, what you do do? You must be do turn fool. Nobody do call you."
Buh Rabbit, him make answer, "Somebody is been a-call me, and me know who them is, and what for them do call me. Ain't you save me do preacher? Well, me promise for baptize a chile this very hour, and me must go for keep me appointment."
"Very well," answer Buh Wolf, "don't you lose no time, for this crop want work very bad."
Buh Rabbit hop off like he been going in another direction from that what lead to Buh Wolf house. When he get in the wood, he slip round unbeknownst to Buh Wolf, and gone in him house and eat heavy out of the pan of butter. He wipe he mouth, and he scuttle back till he get to the place in the field where*he been left he hoe. He seem very merry, and when Buh Wolf ask him if he done baptize the chile, he say yes. Then Buh Wolf ask him what them been name the chile, and Buh Rabbit tell him say them been call him First Beginning.
Buh Wolf and Buh Rabbit work on. Them been a-hoe tater. The butter sweeten Buh Rabbit. Him couldn't stop from think top of him. He beginning for want more. The more he study about him the slower he work. Buh Wolf call to him and tell him for hurry. Buh Rabbit make answer and say he is do hurry.
Bless you soul! In a little while Buh Rabbit, him drop he hoe and he holler out, "You right; me been most forget; me coming right off."
Buh Wolf, him astonished, and he say, "Buh Rabbit, you must be loss you sense; who you do holler to? Nobody done call you."
Buh Rabbit make answer, "Somebody is been a-call me. Ain't you hear him?"
Buh Wolf say, "No, me no hear."
Then Buh Rabbit up and tell him say he have engagement for baptize another chile at this very hour, and he most been forget about him tell he mother and he father holler to him out of the wood and remember him. Buh Wolf make objection against Buh Rabbit going, but when Buh Rabbit tell him the chile gonna lose if he no get baptize, Buh Wolf let him go.
Buh Rabbit do just as he been done before. He gone in Buh Wolf house, he take down the pan again, and he eat more than half the butter. When he catch the field, Buh Wolf ask him if he done baptize the other chile, and he answer he is. Buh Wolf say, "What him a gal or boy?"
Buh Rabbit make answer say, "Him do gal."
"What he name?" question Buh Wolf.
"Half-Way." answer Buh Rabbit.
Them work on till the sun beginning for lean in the west. Buh Rabbit still do* study about that butter. He ain't willing for go to he home and left any behind. So in the three hour he put he hand up to he ears and he listen. Then he holler out the third time, and he say, "Go on, me do coming."
Buh Wolf ask him, "Where you do* going now? Ain't you done baptize chillun?"
Buh Rabbit tell him he have one more for baptize before sun down, but he won't take him long because he live close by. Then Buh Rabbit slip round to Buh Wolf house and clean up the last of the butter. He ain't left one grain in the pan.
When he get back Buh Wolf say, "You baptize that chillun in a hurry; what he name?"
Buh Rabbit up and tell him say he name Scraping-of-the-Bottom. Buh Wolf, him never been suspicion what Buh Rabbit been up to.
The time come for knock off work, and when Buh Wolf want for dock Buh Rabbit for the time he loss when he been gone for baptize them three chillun, Buh Rabbit plead so hard case him been preacher, that Buh Wolf, him forgive him and pay him he full wager. Then he invite Buh Rabbit for come along him and take supper with him. But Buh Rabbit excuse heself, and light out for him house, and left Buh Wolf in the field. Buh Rabbit very schemy. He know say if he did been gone home with Buh Wolf he would a-see he track, and find out who eat he butter, and that he would've lick him.

Story Title: Buh Wolf, Buh Rabbit, and the Butter
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

All the animal conjunct together for build house and gather them winter provision. Buh Rabbit promise for help, but when them call upon him for help tote the pole and the brush, him make excuse, say him wife very sick and him obliged for stay home and nurse him. All this been a lie. Buh Rabbit, him schemy and lazy. He always ready for make big brag about what him gonna do, but he never does come up to he word. He hate for work, and he love for live off of the other people labor.
When the house done build, the animal, them fetch every man he own provision, and pack him away in he own place where he can get him when frost fall, and the grass done dead, and the tree done drop he leaf and he fruit. The Possum, him bring and pile up persimmon.. The Squirrel fetch he hickory nut and he acorn. The Deer, the Elephant, the Cow, them gather and pack away grass and leaf. The Lion and the Tiger and the Wolf and all them animal what live off of meat, them catch them meat and dry him, and bring him and put him away in the house. The bird, them bring them seed and them worm. The Cooter, him have him corner too, and he full him along him vittle. When everybody done gather he provision, them shut the door and gone to them house for tend to them business and wait till winter come, when them gonna live off of what them been put way. Buh Rabbit, him been a dodge about where nobody can see, do notice what gonna on, and been a-make he plan.
Soon as the house full, and the door shut, and everybody left, he slip in the house and put he eye on every thing, and make up he mind for live top of what all them people been gather. He fix one bed for heself. He gather water in piggin and calabash for last him, and then he get two uncommon big horn, and he gone inside and fasten up the door, and make heself satisfy. He live there, he eat, he sleep, he pleasure heself, and he find he vittle right to he hand. This what Buh Rabbit love. Nothing make him so merry as to live off of the other people.
Frost fall, and the animal beginning for think about them provision what them been lay up in the house. First come the Deer, and he try for open the door for get to him pile of grass. The door fastened. Buh Deer couldn't make out how that. He knock to the door. He knock. He knock. By and by Buh Rabbit — what been a-hear him all the time — take he horn, and he talk through him for make he voice big, and he say , "What do that?"
Buh Deer, him sort of skittish, and he afraid for trust heself, and the big voice kind of scared him, but he make out for answer, "That me, Buh Deer."
Then Buh Rabbit talk through he horn, "What you want here, anyhow?"
Buh Deer answer, "Me want for come in for get me vittle what me been put away for me for eat the winter."
Buh Rabbit answer loud through he horn, "You can't come in."
Buh Deer inquire, "Who you there inside?"
Then Buh Rabbit take he biggest horn, and he holler through him so loud he make the house shake, "Better man than ever been here before."
The voice so severe Buh Deer scared, and he left, and he gone tell all them the other animal say big Spirit gone take the house where them provision done gather. The animal astonished, and them all conclude for go in gang to the house and find out what the thing is.
When them all gather, them tell the Lion — what been the king beast — for inquire about who there inside. Buh Lion, him gone to the door. All the beasties stand round for hear what gonna happen. Buh Lion knock. No answer. He knock again. No answer. Then he say, "Who do that there in here?"
Buh Rabbit grab he big horn, and he answer back through him with all he strength, "Better man then ever been here before."
The voice sound so outlandish, and he come with such a big noise, the beasties all conclude what Buh Deer been tell them been so, and that the Spirit, him been take possession of the house. Them afraid for bust in the door, and them all agree for leave. Them did leave, and them ain't find out till this day that he been Buh Rabbit what fool him, and that no Spirit been there, none at all.

Story Title: Buh Rabbit and the Other Beasties
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

The Cat and the Rat, them find one big piece of cheese in a closet. Them carry him where for share him. Them can't agree how he for divide, and them call in the Fox for judge between 'em.
The Fox, he very cunning, and he never forget heself. He bring he scale, and he put the cheese in him. Then he take he knife and he cut off big piece, and he put him one side and he say this for the judge. Then he weigh the cheese again in the scale, and he take him out, and he cut off another slice, and he put him one side and he say that for the judge.
By this time he done take more than half the cheese. When he put the cheese back in the scale, and hold him up again, Buh Cat and Buh Rat, them both call out, "Hold on, judge! This thing wrong. You gonna take all we cheese and left we none."
Buh Fox, him very vex, and he gather the cheese and he fold up he scale, and he holler out, "Begone, you rogue. You live upon thief, and you gonna tell me how for do justice? Good for you me only take the cheese, and let you go with you life. Me great mind for kill you both."
With that, Buh Cat and Buh Rat, them left, and Buh Fox, what been the judge, eat all the cheese.
When thief get plunder, better for them for share him amongst themself than trust to call in bigger rogue for divide him.

Story Title: The Cat, the Rat, the Cheese, and the Fox
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

A Little Gal been a-going home. He come to the river bank, and no boat there for him for get across. He don't know what for do. He sit down. He cry. Day been a-going. Alligator hear him, and he come there, and he ask the Little Gal what the matter. The Little Gal tell him.
Then the Alligator say, "If you promise no for tell who carry you over the river, me will put you across." The Little Gal promise, and the Alligator take him on he back and ferry him over all safe.
The next day the Alligator do sun heself on the river bank, and he hear a voice say, "Yellow-belly Alligator ferry me over. Yellow-belly Alligator ferry me over." He listen. He think say the Little Gal been a talk, and that he been broke he promise. He notice close, and when he hear the voice again he see a Blue-Jay been a-talk him in the tree. That same Blue-Jay been there the evening before, and been a-see and a-hear all what happen, but the Little Gal and the Alligator never been know.
The Jay-Bird keep a-holler, "Yellow-belly Alligator ferry me over."
The Alligator call to the Jay-Bird, and he inquire, "What that you say?"
And the Jay-Bird keep a-sing, "Yellow-belly Alligator ferry me over."
Alligator, him say, "Me hard of hearing. Come close, so me can hear you song."
The bird fly down just by Buh Alligator, and he sing again, "Yellow-belly Alligator ferry me over."
Buh Alligator hear him very well, but he so vex say the bird done find out, and do talk he secret, that he want for kill him sure. So he say again, "Me tell you me deaf; come close; sit on me nose, so me can hear what you do sing."
The fool bird come and light on he nose, and he holler again, "Yellow-belly Alligator ferry me over."
The word ain't left he mouth before Buh Alligator throw open him mouth and catch him, and chew the life out of him.
Bad plan for stranger for meddle along the other people business.

Story Title: Lil Gal, Buh Alligator, and the Jay Bird
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

One poor Man been a-make he living along split shingle and cut timber in the swamp. Him have wife, but no chillun. every day, from sunrise till sundown, he stay in the swamp do cut. Try he best, he scarcely can make bread for eat.
One very big Snake — the father of all them the other snake what live in the swamp — notice the poor man. He see how hard he work and how little he make, and he take pity on him. One evening, just before the poor man knock off work, this snake crawl up to the log where the man been a-chop, and he say, "Brother, how you do make out?"
The man make answer, "Me ain't make out what. Me do work in this swamp from sunrise till dark, day in and day out, and try me best, me scarcely can make vittle enough for me and me wife for eat."
Then the snake, him say, "Me sorry for you, and me willing for help you."
The man thank him, and ask him how he gonna help him. The snake say, "You got any chillun?"
The man say, "No."
The snake inquire, "You have wife?"
The man say, "Yes."
The snake say, "Can you keep secret from you wife?"
The man make answer say he can. Buh Snake tell him he afraid for trust him; but when the man beg the snake very hard for try him, the snake agree for do so. Then the snake tell him he gonna give him some money next day, but he mustn't tell he wife where he get the money. The man make strong promise, and so them part.
The next day, just before the poor man done task, the snake crawl up. He belly and he mouth puff out. He spit two quart of silver money on the ground just in front of the poor man, and he say, "You remember what me been tell you last evening? Well, here some money me fetch for help you. Take him, but remember if you tell you wife where you get him, or who give him to you, he ain't gonna do you no good, and you gonna dead a poor man."
The man so glad for get the money he say, "Thanky, thanky, thanky, me Brother; me never gonna tell nobody where me get all this money."
After he left the swamp for gone home, the snake suspicion say he been gonna go back on he promise and tell he wife: so he make up he mind for follow him and see what happen.
It been dark when he reach the man house. He crawl up, and he lay down just under the window, where him can hear all the word what talk in the house. The man wife been a-turn round and do cook supper. After him and he husband done eat, he husband say, "Me been have big luck today: look at this money." Then he pull out the silver and spread him on the table.
He wife astonished. He wife glad, and he say, "Tell me where you been get all this money."
The man say, "Friend give him to me."
He wife say, "What friend?"
The man say him promise no for tell. The wife say but he must tell him, and he beg so hard till the man done forget he promise, and he up and make him sensible how the thing all happen. Then he wife say, "That snake must have he belly full of silver money, and me tell you what you do tomorrow. When the snake come for talk along you, you pick you chance and chop he head off long you ax, and take all the money out of him."
He husband agree for do just as him say.
Buh Snake, him hear every word them talk, and he gone to him house in the swamp very vex 'cause the man what he been befriend should do gone back on he promise and make bad bargain for kill him.
The next day the man watch for the snake. When the sun do lean for down, and the man been a-try for split one big log, Buh Snake crawl up alongside the log and show heself to the man. Them talk together; and the snake ask the man, "You been show you wife the money what me been give you?"
The man answer, "Yes, me is."
And then he ask him, "You been tell you wife where you been get him?" t
The man say, "No."
The snake ask him again, "You sure you no been tell him you get him along me?"
The man say, "Me tell you one time already. What make you ask me that question again? You think me do lie?" With that, he make he lick for chop the snake head off.
The snake been have he eye on him, and he draw back against the log. The ax miss the snake, and glance back off the log and cut the man own leg off. The poor man holler for somebody for come for help him. He there way in the swamp out of hearing, and nobody hear. When he do bleed to death, and just before he dead, Buh Snake, him say to him, "Ain't me been tell you, when me give you that silver money, if you tell you wife where you get him you gonna dead one poor man? You promise me you gonna keep the secret. Instead of that, you gone home to you wife, and you show him the money, and you tell him where you get him. More than that: you and him fix plan for kill me what been you friend, and rob me out of what money me have left. Now you see the judgment what come top of you. In try for chop me head off, you cut you own foot off. You gonna dead in this here wood. No man nor woman gonna find you. Buzzard gonna eat you."
He happen just as the snake say. The man broke he word, and he dead a poor man. Anybody what going back on he promise, and try for harm the person what done him a favor, sure to meet up with big trouble.

Story Title: The Poor Man and the Snake
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.

Buh Elephant, him been know Buh Rooster very well. Them plan roam together, and Buh Rooster plan wake Buh Elephant the morning, so he can hunt he vittle before the dew dry.
Them been a talk together one day, and Buh Elephant, him bet Buh Rooster say him can eat longer than him. Buh Rooster, him take the bet, and them turn in next morning, when the sun just been a-get up, for see who gonna win the bet.
Buh Elephant, him gather leaf and grass, and eat and eat till he full and can't eat no more.
Buh Rooster, him search the grass for seed and worm, and he pick and eat.
When Buh Elephant done full, and do stand under the tree do flop he ears, he see Buh Rooster, just as spry do walk about and do swallow seed and grasshopper and worm same like he just beginning for eat.
Buh Elephant give up. He find he ain't the man with the biggest belly what can eat the longest.

Story Title: Buh Elephant and Buh Rooster
Book Title: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast
Author: Charles C. Jones
Published: 1888
Rights: Public Domain
Online Source: Hathi Trust
Process: I have removed the eye-dialect, plus editing for paragraphing and punctuation.