Native American Legends
What became of the Rabbit
A Cherokee Legend
The Deer was very angry at the Rabbit for filing his teeth and
determined to be revenged, but he kept still and pretended to be
friendly until the Rabbit was off his guard.
Then one day, as they were going along together talking, he challenged
the Rabbit to jump against him. Now the Rabbit is a great jumper,
as every one knows, so he agreed at once. There was a small stream
beside the path, as there generally is in that country, and the
Deer said:
"Let's see if you can jump across this branch. We'll go back
a piece, and then when I say Kû! then both run and jump."
"All right," said the Rabbit. So they went back to get
a good start, and when the Deer gave the word Kû! they ran
for the stream, and the Rabbit made one jump and landed on the other
side.
But the Deer had stopped on the bank, and when the Rabbit looked
back the Deer had conjured the stream so that it was a large river.
The Rabbit was never able to get back again and is still on the
other side. The rabbit that we know is only a little thing that
came afterwards.
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