Once upon a time, all the animals decided to build a house. They wanted to make it strong enough to keep out the mosquitoes and fix it up nice and cozy. Every animal was there, from Brer Bear to Brer Possum, along with Brer Wolf, Brer Fox, and Brer Coon. Brer Rabbit was there too, but he wasn’t doing much. Instead, he stood around pretending to be the boss, saying they needed the house done quickly.
Brer Rabbit acted busy, oh yes, very busy, but he wasn’t doing a thing! He claimed he’d get dizzy if he climbed the scaffold, so instead, he just measured, marked, and sang. The animals built the house, and it turned out fine, made from poplar, oak, and pine. The smallest room was a tiny seven-by-nine, just right for anyone who got sick and needed to rest.
Brer Rabbit waited until the time was right, then he chose an upstairs room for himself. He sat up there, singing to himself and feeling pretty pleased. But he also got something he shouldn’t have—a gun, a cannon, and a tub of water—which he hid under his bed.
When the animals came home, Brer Rabbit was ready. He told them he was going to sit down. “Well, sit,” they said, “and we’ll try to be steady.” Brer Rabbit frowned, then—Bang-bang!—went the gun. The barrels were double, and the animals were as quiet as mice. Brer Bear said, “There must be some trouble, but I hope he doesn’t break the house!”
Brer Rabbit asked, “Where should I spit at?” Brer Wolf grinned and said, “Wherever you can make it hit!” Brer Fox rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Then, Brer Rabbit took the tub of water and emptied it all over the stairs, nearly drowning Brer Coon’s daughter and even one of Brer Bear’s kids!
Brer Rabbit warned them, “When I sneeze, I’ll scare you, and I hate to do it!” Brer Fox said, “We’ll listen and hear you. Just go ahead with your sneeze!”
Then—Boom-a-lam!—went the cannon, and the animals lit out of there, jumping through windows and doors, any way they could escape. And after that, they didn’t come back to that house anymore!
