| Category: | African American Legends |
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One day, Brer Fox and Brer Bear, tired of being outsmarted by Brer Rabbit, decided to catch him once and for all. "We'll set a trap near his favorite spot," Brer Bear suggested. "That way, we'll be sure to catch him!"
The two set a snare by Brer Rabbit's favorite patch of clover and waited. Sure enough, Brer Rabbit came hopping down the path, humming a cheerful tune. But just as he reached the clover patch, the snare tightened around his leg, lifting him up into the air.
"Got you now, Brer Rabbit!" Brer Fox shouted triumphantly. "We've caught you fair and square!"
Brer Rabbit twisted and turned, but he couldn't break free. "Well, it looks like I'm in a fix," he said with a sigh. "But before you do whatever you're planning, would you mind taking me to my Laughing Place?"
"Your Laughing Place?" Brer Fox asked suspiciously. "What's that?"
"Oh, it's the one spot in the whole forest where I can't help but laugh and laugh, no matter what!" Brer Rabbit explained. "Take me there, and you'll see."
Brer Fox and Brer Bear exchanged curious glances. "Fine," Brer Fox said, untying Brer Rabbit from the snare. "Show us your Laughing Place."
Brer Rabbit led them through the woods, hopping along despite being caught. "It's right over here," he said, pointing to a dense thicket of briars and brambles.
Brer Fox narrowed his eyes. "You think we're going to fall for that old trick again? You're just trying to get us stuck in the briar patch!"
Brer Rabbit shook his head vigorously. "No, no! This isn't the briar patch! It's my Laughing Place. You'll see!"
Reluctantly, Brer Fox and Brer Bear followed Brer Rabbit into the thicket. But as soon as they were tangled up in the briars, Brer Rabbit started laughing so hard that he could barely stand.
"What's so funny?" Brer Fox growled, struggling to free himself.
"This is my Laughing Place, all right!" Brer Rabbit giggled. "I laugh every time I think about how easily I tricked you two again!"
Brer Fox and Brer Bear finally managed to escape the thicket, covered in scratches and thorns. By the time they got free, Brer Rabbit had already scampered off, his laughter echoing through the forest. From that day on, whenever Brer Fox and Brer Bear heard Brer Rabbit mention his Laughing Place, they knew to steer clear—for fear of being caught in yet another one of Brer Rabbit's clever traps.