THE FISHING PARTY
by Ada M. Skinner · from Merry Tales
Adapted Version
Brother Rabbit was bored. He wanted to play a fun game. He thought of fishing!
He saw Brother Terrapin. "Let us fish," he said. Brother Fox came. Brother Wolf came too. "Come fish with us!"
They all liked the idea. "We will fish," they said. They would meet at the pond. They would meet in the morning. Each brought a hook. Brother Terrapin brought the bait.
They met at the pond. Brother Rabbit looked in the water. He saw the moon there. The moon was in the pond. "Oh no!" he said. "The moon fell in!" No fishing now.
Brother Fox looked. Brother Wolf looked. Brother Bear looked. Brother Terrapin looked. They saw the moon too. They believed Brother Rabbit.
"Get the moon out," said Rabbit. "No fish will bite now. The moon is too big. We must help it. Save our fishing fun." His friends nodded.
"I know what to do!" he said. "I will get a sieve. We can scoop the moon out. I will run fast. He ran."
Brother Terrapin thought. He spoke slowly. "My grandma said. The moon has a treasure. A special thing inside." Brother Fox heard this. His eyes got big. "A treasure?" he asked.
Brother Rabbit came back. He had a sieve. Brother Fox took it. "We will get the moon," he said. Brother Bear will help. Brother Wolf will help. "You two stay here."
Brother Fox went in. Brother Bear went in. Brother Wolf went in. They held the sieve. They dipped it down. They went deeper. They looked for the moon.
Splash! Splash! Splash! They fell in the water. They got very wet. They kicked their legs. They looked for the moon. But no moon came out.
They came out of the pond. They were all wet. They were sad. "No moon," said Brother Fox. "No moon," said Brother Bear. "No moon," said Brother Wolf.
Brother Rabbit smiled. "Oh dear," he said. "You are very wet. Go home now. Get dry clothes. Maybe next time. We will find the moon."
The friends went home, wet and sad. Brother Rabbit smiled. He was a very clever rabbit. He knew a good trick!
Original Story
THE FISHING PARTY
One clear, warm evening about sunset Brother Rabbit was walking down a road which led to the old mill. He was saying to himself: “It has been a week or more since I have had any fun. I do wish something would happen to make times a little livelier. I’m—”
“A fine sunset, Brother Rabbit! A penny for your thoughts. I do believe you would have passed me without speaking.”
“Good evening, Brother Terrapin,” said the rabbit, stopping and holding out his hand in a most cordial way. “I am very glad to see you, for I like your opinion immensely. I’ll tell you what I was thinking about, my friend. I was planning a little fishing party. Come, let us sit down here on the roadside and talk it over.”
21Brother Terrapin replied: “A fishing party! That will be fine sport. We should become very dull indeed in this neighborhood, Brother Rabbit, if it were not for your plans. Have you decided whom to invite?”
“Well,” said Brother Rabbit, “I think it unwise to invite too many. Perhaps five, including ourselves, are enough, because, you see, we must keep very quiet, and if the party is large, there is danger of too much merriment. Have you any particular friend who enjoys fishing?”
“Oh, yes, indeed. Brother Bear is very quiet and sensible, and he loves to fish for mud turtles,” replied Brother Terrapin.
“Well, I have in mind Brother Fox and Brother Wolf. Look, here they come! What good luck! Let us see what they think about the plan.” And the rabbit danced away up the road to meet his friends and tell them about the fishing party.
“Exactly the kind of sport I enjoy most,” 22said Brother Wolf, interrupting Brother Rabbit. “I’ll fish for hornyheads. Come, Brother Fox, what do you say?”
“First, I wish to thank Brother Rabbit for his kind invitation,” said Brother Fox, politely. “Of course, you all know that I shall fish for perch, and I think I shall use a dip net. Good evening, Brother Terrapin. What an interesting party ours will be. What will you fish for?”
“Oh,” laughed Brother Terrapin, “minnows suit my taste very well.”
“All right,” said Brother Rabbit. “Now let us meet at the mill pond about eight o’clock this evening. Brother Terrapin, may I trouble you to bring the bait? The others will each bring a hook and line, and, Brother Fox, please do not forget your fine dip net. About twelve o’clock you are all invited to a fish supper at my house. Don’t forget the time and place of meeting. Farewell.”
All hurried away to prepare for the evening’s amusement, and, at the appointed time, the five merry brothers met at the mill pond.
Brother Rabbit was very anxious to begin; 23so he baited his hook and stepped up to the very edge of the water. Then he stopped suddenly, looked straight down into the pond, dropped his fishing pole, and scratched his head.
“Mercy!” said Brother Fox. “What in the world is the matter with Brother Rabbit? Let us slip up to him and see what is the trouble. Come, all together.”
But Brother Rabbit turned and walked toward them, shook his head seriously, and said: “No fishing to-night, my friends. We might as well go home.”
“What is it? What did you see?” began the bear, the fox, and the wolf. Brother Terrapin crept up to the edge of the pond, looked straight into the water, jumped back, and said, “Tut, tut, tut! To be sure! To be sure!”
“Come, come, tell us. We cannot bear this suspense,” snapped the fox.
Then Brother Rabbit said slowly, “The moon has dropped into the mill pond, and if you don’t believe me, go and look for yourselves.”
24“Impossible!” cried Brother Bear.
They all crept up to the edge of the pond and looked in and there they saw the golden moon right down in the clear water.
“Isn’t that too bad?” said Brother Wolf.
“Well, well, well,” sighed Brother Fox; and Brother Bear shook his head slowly and said, “The impossible has happened!”
“Now, I’ll tell you something,” began the rabbit, who was not to be easily daunted, “we must get that moon out of the water before we begin to fish. I tell you truly no fish will bite while that great golden ball is near.”
“Well, Brother Rabbit,” said the wolf, “can’t you make a suggestion in this matter? You usually know what to do.”
“I have it, my friends,” said the rabbit jumping up and down. “I have it! I know where I can borrow a sieve. I’ll run and get it and then we can dip up the moon in no time. We’ll have our fishing party yet!” and off he ran.
Brother Terrapin was thinking. In a little 25while he looked up and said, “My friends, I have often heard that there is a pot of gold in the moon.”
“What’s that?” said Brother Fox, quickly.
“I was saying that my grandmother has often told me that there is a pot of gold in the moon. But here comes Brother Rabbit with the sieve.”
“My good friend,” said Brother Fox, “you were kind enough to go after that sieve and now you must let Brother Bear, Brother Wolf, and myself do the work. No, don’t take off your coat. You are such a little fellow that it would be dangerous for you to go into the water. You and Brother Terrapin stand here on the bank and watch us. Come, give me the sieve.”
So Brother Terrapin and Brother Rabbit stood on the bank and watched the others wade into the pond.
They dipped the sieve down once. “No moon,” said Brother Bear.
Again they dipped. “No moon,” said Brother Wolf.
26“Come,” said Brother Fox, “we must go farther in.”
“Oh, do be careful, my friends,” called the rabbit, “you are near a very deep hole.”
Buzz, buzz! The water was roaring in Brother Bear’s ears and he shook his head violently. Down went the sieve again.
“No moon,” sighed Brother Fox. “A little farther out, friends. Now, down again with the sieve.”
Splash! Splash! Splash! Down they all went with the sieve. They kicked and tumbled and splashed as if they would throw all the water out of the mill pond. Then they swam for the shore and all came out dripping wet. “No moon,” said Brother Fox, sulkily. “What! No moon? Well, well, well!” said Brother Rabbit.
“Too bad! Too bad!” said Brother Terrapin.
“My friends,” said the rabbit, seriously, “I think you ought to go home and put on some dry clothes. I do, indeed. And I hope we shall have better luck next time. Good night.”
Story DNA
Moral
Those who are too eager for gain or too quick to believe may be easily fooled by a clever trickster.
Plot Summary
Brother Rabbit, bored and seeking amusement, organizes a fishing party with Brother Terrapin, Brother Fox, Brother Wolf, and Brother Bear. Upon arriving at the mill pond, Brother Rabbit pretends the moon's reflection is the actual moon fallen into the water, convincing his friends that they must retrieve it before fishing. He then suggests using a sieve and cleverly manipulates the more gullible and greedy friends (Fox, Wolf, Bear) into wading into the deep pond to futilely scoop out the 'moon', while he and Brother Terrapin remain dry on the bank. The three friends get thoroughly soaked and frustrated, ultimately failing to retrieve the non-existent moon, much to Brother Rabbit's hidden delight.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anticipation to confusion to frustration
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story belongs to a tradition of animal trickster tales, often featuring a clever rabbit outsmarting larger, less intelligent animals. While collected by Ada M. Skinner, the narrative style and character archetypes are strongly reminiscent of the Br'er Rabbit stories, which originated in African-American oral traditions.
Plot Beats (13)
- Brother Rabbit is bored and decides to plan a fishing party.
- He invites Brother Terrapin, Brother Fox, and Brother Wolf to join him.
- The group agrees to meet at the mill pond at 8 o'clock, each bringing fishing gear, and Brother Terrapin bringing bait.
- At the pond, Brother Rabbit sees the moon's reflection and pretends it has fallen into the water, stopping the fishing.
- His friends, including Brother Terrapin, are convinced by his act.
- Brother Rabbit suggests they must get the moon out of the water first, as no fish will bite with it there.
- He offers to get a sieve to scoop it out, running off to fetch it.
- Brother Terrapin mentions a rumor of a 'pot of gold in the moon,' piquing Brother Fox's interest.
- Brother Fox, upon Brother Rabbit's return, insists that he, Brother Bear, and Brother Wolf will do the dangerous work of scooping the moon, leaving Brother Rabbit and Brother Terrapin on the bank.
- The three friends wade into the pond and repeatedly try to scoop the moon with the sieve, going deeper and deeper.
- They fall and splash, getting completely soaked, but fail to retrieve the 'moon'.
- They emerge from the water, sulky and defeated, reporting 'No moon'.
- Brother Rabbit, feigning concern, advises them to go home and change, wishing them better luck next time.
Characters
Brother Rabbit ★ protagonist
A small, agile rabbit, standing on two legs, with a lean build and quick movements. His fur is a soft, light brown, with a white underside and a fluffy white tail. He has long, expressive ears that twitch with his moods.
Attire: No specific clothing mentioned, but as a character in a folk tale, he would likely be depicted in simple, perhaps patched, linen trousers or a waistcoat in earthy tones, suggesting a clever but not wealthy disposition. Perhaps a small, worn, light brown vest.
Wants: To alleviate boredom and have fun, often at the expense of others, while maintaining an air of helpfulness.
Flaw: His enjoyment of trickery can sometimes lead him to overlook potential dangers or the feelings of others.
He remains consistent throughout the story, successfully tricking his friends into a fruitless endeavor while appearing helpful.
Clever, mischievous, resourceful, a planner, easily bored, and a bit of a trickster. He enjoys orchestrating events and watching them unfold.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, lean anthropomorphic rabbit standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has soft light brown fur, a white underside, and a fluffy white tail. His long ears are perked, and he has bright, alert black eyes and a twitching nose. He wears a simple, worn light brown vest and patched cream linen trousers. He holds a long, thin fishing pole in one hand. He has a sly, knowing grin. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Brother Terrapin ◆ supporting
A sturdy, slow-moving terrapin with a hard, dark green shell patterned with brown. His skin is leathery and wrinkled, a muted green-brown color. He is shorter and broader than the other animal characters.
Attire: No specific clothing mentioned, but as a terrapin, he would likely be depicted without clothes, or perhaps a very simple, rustic, dark brown or green sash around his shell to denote his character status.
Wants: To enjoy simple pleasures like fishing and to offer his quiet wisdom when prompted.
Flaw: His slow nature means he can be overlooked or outmaneuvered by quicker characters.
He remains consistent, observing the events and offering his thoughts, but not actively participating in the deception.
Quiet, sensible, thoughtful, and observant. He is not easily fooled and often has a deeper understanding of situations.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy anthropomorphic terrapin standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a hard, dark green shell with brown patterns, and leathery, wrinkled green-brown skin. His face is ancient-looking with small, dark, observant eyes. He wears no clothes but has a simple, rustic dark green sash tied around his shell. He carries a small wooden bait bucket. He has a thoughtful, calm expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Brother Bear ◆ supporting
A large, strong bear with thick, shaggy brown fur. He has a powerful build and is the largest of the group. His paws are broad and heavy.
Attire: No specific clothing mentioned, but as a character in a folk tale, he might wear a simple, sturdy, dark brown or forest green tunic, perhaps with a rope belt, suggesting his strength and connection to nature.
Wants: To enjoy fishing and participate in social activities with his friends.
Flaw: His trusting nature and lack of quick wit make him easily susceptible to Brother Rabbit's tricks.
He remains consistent, participating enthusiastically but being easily misled by Brother Rabbit.
Quiet, sensible, strong, and somewhat gullible. He is a loyal friend but not the sharpest thinker.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, powerful anthropomorphic bear standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has thick, shaggy brown fur, small dark eyes, and a large black nose. He wears a sturdy, dark forest green tunic with a simple rope belt. He holds a fishing hook and line in one paw. He has a somewhat simple, trusting expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Brother Fox ◆ supporting
A sleek, agile fox with reddish-brown fur, a bushy tail tipped with white, and a slender build. He moves with a cunning grace.
Attire: No specific clothing mentioned, but as a character in a folk tale, he would likely wear more refined, perhaps slightly flamboyant, clothing than the others, such as a tailored dark red or russet waistcoat with brass buttons, and perhaps a cravat, suggesting his polite but cunning nature.
Wants: To enjoy sport and potentially gain something from the situation, like the 'pot of gold' in the moon.
Flaw: His greed and quick temper make him susceptible to manipulation, especially when a reward is dangled.
He remains consistent, initially polite and eager, then growing impatient and sulky when the plan fails.
Polite, cunning, quick-witted, and somewhat impatient. He is observant but also easily drawn into schemes, especially if they promise reward.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sleek, agile anthropomorphic fox standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has reddish-brown fur, a bushy tail tipped with white, and a slender build. His face is pointed with narrow, intelligent amber eyes and a long snout. He wears a tailored dark russet waistcoat with brass buttons and a cream cravat. He holds a dip net in one paw. He has a polite but slightly impatient expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Brother Wolf ◆ supporting
A lean, grey-furred wolf with a powerful build and sharp features. He is agile and has a somewhat imposing presence.
Attire: No specific clothing mentioned, but as a character in a folk tale, he might wear practical, somewhat rugged clothing, such as a dark grey or charcoal tunic, perhaps with leather bracers, suggesting his predatory nature but also his participation in the community.
Wants: To enjoy sport and participate in activities, often driven by immediate gratification.
Flaw: His impulsiveness and lack of patience make him easily frustrated and prone to giving up.
He remains consistent, starting with enthusiasm and ending in sulky disappointment.
Eager, somewhat impulsive, and easily frustrated. He is quick to agree to plans but also quick to complain when things go wrong.
Image Prompt & Upload
A lean, powerful anthropomorphic wolf standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has grey fur, keen yellow eyes, and a long, narrow snout. He wears a practical dark charcoal tunic with leather bracers on his forearms. He holds a fishing hook and line in one paw. He has an eager but easily frustrated expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Road to the Old Mill
A clear, warm road leading towards an old mill, bathed in the soft, fading light of sunset. The air is pleasant and still.
Mood: Peaceful, expectant, friendly
Brother Rabbit and Brother Terrapin meet and plan the fishing party, later joined by Brother Fox and Brother Wolf.
Image Prompt & Upload
A winding, well-trodden dirt road, illuminated by the warm, golden light of a setting sun. Tall, mature oak trees with dense canopies line the road, casting long, soft shadows. The ground is a mix of packed earth and scattered dry leaves. In the distance, the faint outline of an old, weathered wooden mill with a water wheel can be seen against the horizon. The sky is a gradient of soft oranges, pinks, and purples. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Mill Pond
A body of water next to an old mill, described as clear. At night, it reflects the golden moon, making it appear as if the moon has fallen into the water. The edges are accessible for wading, but there's also a very deep hole.
Mood: Mysterious, confusing, later chaotic and humorous
The animals gather to fish, discover the 'moon' in the water, and attempt to scoop it out with a sieve, leading to a comical struggle.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tranquil mill pond at night, its surface a dark, reflective mirror under a clear sky. A large, luminous golden full moon is perfectly reflected in the still, dark water, appearing as if submerged. The pond's edge is lined with smooth, dark river stones and sparse, reedy grasses. The water gradually deepens towards the center, hinting at unseen depths. The air is cool and still, with a faint mist rising from the water. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
