The Tales of Uncle Remus / Сказки дядюшки Римуса. Книга для чтения на английском языке

”

This was bad news that was sho’ nuf good news. But it wasn’t news to be accepted on somebody else’s say-so. He decided to sneak over to Brer Fox’s and verify it.

When he got there, everything was quiet and still. He peeped through the open window, and there, lying on the bed, hands folded across his chest, eyes closed, was Brer Fox.

“Po’ Brer Fox,” said Brer Rabbit. “He sho’ is dead. Leastwise he look dead. Of course, I always heard that when folks was dead and somebody came to see ’em, dead folks would raise up a leg and holler �Wahoo!’”

Brer Fox raised up his leg and hollered, “Wahoo!”

Brer Rabbit didn’t waste no time getting away from there.

Brer Rabbit Finally Gets Beaten

You know, it ain’t possible to go through life without meeting your match[56 - without meeting your match – (разг.) и не встретить достойного соперника] some time or other. Brer Rabbit was no exception.

One day he and Brer Turtle were having a good laugh, remembering the time Brer Turtle conked Brer Fox on the head.

Brer Turtle said, “If Brer Fox had chased me instead of you, I would’ve been caught just as sure as you’re born.”

Brer Rabbit chuckled. “Brer Turtle, I could’ve caught you myself.”

Brer Turtle looked incredulous. “You must be joking, Brer Rabbit. You couldn’t have caught me if your feet had turned to wheels and your tail to a motor.”

“Hold on a minute!” Brer Rabbit couldn’t believe his big ears.

“I ain’t got time to beat my lips with you over it. I got fifty dollars say[57 - I got fifty dollars say – (разг.) Ставлю пятьдесят долларов] I’m the fastest.”

“And I got fifty say you been shaving the hair off your legs or something, but I know you done lost your mind.”

“Brer Rabbit, I hate to take your money, but if that’s what you want, that’s what you got.

Brer Rabbit laughed. “I’ll leave you so far behind that I can plant greens at the beginning of the race and by the time you cross the finish line, them greens will be ready to pick.”

“I hope your feet as fast as your mouth[58 - your feet as fast as your mouth – (разг.) твои ноги такие же шустрые, как твой язык].”

They got Brer Buzzard to be the race judge and hold the bet money.