Long before rabbits became known for their short, fluffy tails, Brer Rabbit supposedly possessed a magnificent bushy tail that he proudly displayed wherever he went. He was so pleased with his appearance that he enjoyed showing it off as he travelled along the road.
However, one encounter with Brer Fox changed everything. After seeing Fox carrying a large string of fish, Rabbit became curious about how he had caught them. Fox offered him an explanation that sounded simple enough to follow, but Rabbit failed to consider the consequences.
This humorous animal folktale from the Uncle Remus collection offers a traditional explanation for the short tails of modern rabbits. It also explores the dangers of trusting misleading advice without thinking carefully.
Uncle Remus and the Little Boy
One evening, Uncle Remus settled down to tell the little boy another animal story. He began by describing a time when Brer Rabbit possessed a long, beautiful, bushy tail.
The boy immediately challenged him. Everyone knew that rabbits had short tails, so he could not understand how Rabbit could once have possessed such an impressive one.
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Uncle Remus appeared disappointed by the boy’s objection. He insisted that he had not made a mistake and maintained that Brer Rabbit had indeed possessed a long, bushy tail.
The little boy continued to question the account, but the old storyteller refused to change his position.
After making it clear that he intended to continue with the story, Uncle Remus began explaining how the famous rabbit lost his beautiful tail.
Brer Rabbit Shows Off His Tail
In those days, Brer Rabbit was extremely proud of his appearance. Whenever he travelled along the road, he carried himself confidently and allowed his large, bushy tail to swing behind him.
He enjoyed the attention it attracted and considered it one of his finest possessions.
One day, while travelling along the road, Rabbit met Brer Fox. Fox was carrying a large string of freshly caught fish.
Rabbit immediately became interested in the catch. He admired the fish and wanted to know where Fox had obtained so many of them.
Fox explained that he had caught them at the Baptizing Creek.
Rabbit became even more curious. He wanted to understand the method Fox had used because he also enjoyed eating fish.
Fox appeared willing to share his knowledge. He told Rabbit that catching fish at the creek was quite easy and required no complicated equipment.
Fox Gives Rabbit Some Fishing Advice
According to Fox, Rabbit only needed to visit the creek after sunset, lower his tail into the water and remain there until daylight.
Fox explained that Rabbit would discover a large quantity of fish caught around his tail by morning. He would then be able to pull them out and keep whichever ones he wanted.
The explanation sounded convincing to Rabbit.
He did not suspect that Fox’s advice could cause him trouble. Instead of examining the suggestion carefully, he accepted it and decided to try the method that very night.
Rabbit believed he had discovered an easy way to obtain a large meal without having to work hard for it.
He therefore made preparations for his fishing expedition and waited until darkness.
Rabbit Goes Fishing at Night
When evening arrived, Rabbit set out for the creek.
The weather was rather cold, but he was determined to follow Fox’s instructions. He also carried a bottle of alcoholic drink to help him endure the uncomfortable conditions.
After reaching the creek, Rabbit searched for a suitable place. He eventually found one, settled down beside the water and lowered his long, bushy tail into it.
He intended to remain there until morning, just as Fox had instructed.
As the hours passed, Rabbit continued sitting in the same position. The cold weather made the experience increasingly uncomfortable, but he believed the reward would be worth the inconvenience.
He drank from his bottle while waiting for daylight.
Rabbit imagined the large quantity of fish he would collect when the night was over. He was confident that Fox’s method would provide him with an excellent catch.
Unfortunately, he had misunderstood the danger of leaving his tail in the cold water for so long.
The Long Night at the Creek
The night seemed to pass slowly.
Rabbit remained beside the creek with his tail submerged in the water. He could not simply leave whenever he became uncomfortable because he believed he needed to follow the instructions until daylight.
The cold continued to affect him, but he stayed in position.
His confidence in Fox’s advice prevented him from reconsidering the decision. He had gone to the creek expecting to catch fish, and he was determined to complete the task.
Eventually, the darkness began to disappear.
Morning arrived, and Rabbit believed it was finally time to collect his reward.
He prepared to pull his tail out of the water, expecting to discover the fish that Fox had promised.
However, something unexpected happened.
The Loss of the Bushy Tail
Rabbit pulled at his tail, but it did not move as he expected.
Instead, he felt an unusual resistance. It seemed as though his body was coming apart as he tried to free himself.
He made another strong effort, hoping to release his tail from the water.
This time, the result was even worse.
When Rabbit finally managed to pull himself free, his beautiful bushy tail was gone.
The very possession he had once displayed so proudly had been lost at the creek.
Rabbit was left with a short tail instead of the magnificent one he had carried along the road.
His attempt to catch fish through Fox’s unusual method had ended in disappointment. Rather than returning home with a large meal, he had lost something he greatly valued.
Why Rabbits Have Short Tails
After describing the unfortunate incident, Uncle Remus paused to allow the little boy to understand what had happened.
The boy wanted confirmation that Rabbit’s tail had actually come off.
Uncle Remus assured him that it had. He explained that the incident was the reason rabbits were now seen with short tails as they hopped through the woods.
The boy accepted the explanation and wanted to know whether all rabbits had short tails because their ancestor had lost his in the creek.
Uncle Remus confirmed that this was the story as he had heard it.
According to the old storyteller, modern rabbits had inherited their short tails from their unfortunate ancestor.
The tale therefore ends with a humorous explanation for one of the rabbit’s familiar physical features.
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Moral Lessons
The story reminds readers to think carefully before following advice, particularly when it comes from someone whose intentions are uncertain. Rabbit accepted Fox’s instructions without considering the possible consequences. His eagerness to obtain an easy meal prevented him from recognising that the advice could be harmful.
It also highlights the importance of protecting valuable possessions and avoiding unnecessary risks. Rabbit was proud of his beautiful tail, yet he placed it in danger because he wanted something that appeared easy to obtain. His experience teaches that excitement and the promise of quick rewards should never replace careful judgement.
Knowledge Check
1. Who tells the story of the rabbit’s lost tail?
Uncle Remus tells the story to a little boy.
2. What was unusual about Brer Rabbit’s tail in the beginning?
He possessed a long, beautiful and bushy tail.
3. What was Brer Fox carrying when Rabbit met him?
He was carrying a large string of freshly caught fish.
4. Where did Fox claim to have caught the fish?
He claimed to have caught them at the Baptizing Creek.
5. What instructions did Fox give Rabbit for catching fish?
He told Rabbit to visit the creek after sunset, place his tail in the water and leave it there until daylight.
6. What happened when Rabbit tried to remove his tail in the morning?
His tail came off, leaving him with a short tail.
Source
This retelling is based on Chapter XXV, “How Mr. Rabbit Lost His Fine Bushy Tail,” in Joel Chandler Harris’s Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings, first published in 1881.
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