Br'er Rabbit facts for kids
Br'er Rabbit (sometimes spelled Bre'r Rabbit or Bruh Rabbit) is a very important character in the Uncle Remus stories. These stories come from the Southern United States. Br'er Rabbit is known for being tricky and clever. He usually wins or escapes from trouble because he is smart, not because he is strong.
Br'er Rabbit's stories have roots in both African and Cherokee cultures. Later, Disney made movies using this character, like Song of the South.
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Who is Br'er Rabbit?
Br'er Rabbit is a trickster. This means he uses his intelligence and wit to get out of difficult situations. He often outsmarts bigger, stronger animals like the fox and the wolf. His adventures teach lessons about being clever and finding ways to solve problems.
Where did Br'er Rabbit's stories come from?
The stories of Br'er Rabbit have a long history. They come from two main places:
- African folklore: Many tales from West Africa feature a clever rabbit or hare. These stories were brought to America by enslaved people.
- Cherokee mythology: The Cherokee Native American people also had stories about a trickster rabbit. This rabbit often played tricks on other animals.
These two traditions mixed together over time. For example, in one Cherokee story, a fox and a wolf throw the trickster rabbit into a thorny bush. But the rabbit quickly escapes because that's where he lives! This idea of the rabbit outsmarting his enemies became a big part of the Br'er Rabbit tales. In fact, many Br'er Rabbit stories first came from Cherokee myths.
Br'er Rabbit in popular culture
Br'er Rabbit became very famous through the Uncle Remus stories. These stories were written down by Joel Chandler Harris in the late 1800s. They helped share these folk tales with a wider audience.
Later, in 1946, Walt Disney brought Br'er Rabbit to the big screen. He appeared in the movie Song of the South. Disney's version of Br'er Rabbit was drawn in a funnier and more lovable way than in the original books.
Images for kids
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The African savanna hare (Lepus microtis) is found in many parts of Africa. It is thought to be the original inspiration for Br'er Rabbit.
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A statue of Br'er Rabbit in Eatonton, Georgia.
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A. B. Frost's drawing of Br'er Rabbit and the Tar Baby from an 1895 version of Uncle Remus: His Songs and Sayings.
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Br'er Rabbit in Walt Disney's Song of the South (1946). Disney's version of the character is drawn in a more humorous and lovable style than the illustrations of Br'er Rabbit in Harris' books.
See also
In Spanish: El Hermano Conejo y El Hermano Zorro para niños
