[Footnote: Mr. Rand observes that this is
evidently an allusion to the bear's being supposed to live during the
winter by sucking his own paws.] Nay, there was a great piece given to
Rabbit to take home to feed his family.
"Now, truly," he said, "this is a thing which I can indeed do. Is it
not recorded in the family wampum that whatever a Bear can do well a
Rabbit can do better? "So, in fine, he invited his friend to come and
dine with him, _Ketkewopk'_, the day after to-morrow.
And the Bear being there, Rabbit did but say, "_Noogume' kuesawal'
wohu_!" "Grandmother, set your pot to boiling!" And, whetting his
knife on a stone, he tried to do as the Bear had done; but little did
he get from his small, thin soles, though he cut himself madly and
sadly.
"What can he be trying to do?" growled the guest.
"Ah!" sighed the grandmother, "something which he has seen some one
else do."
"Ho! I say there! Give me the knife," quoth Bruin. And, getting it, he
took a slice from his sole, which did him no harm, and then, what with
magic and fire, gave them a good dinner. But Master Rabbit was in sad
case, and it was many a day ere he got well.
_IV. Relating how the Rabbit became Wise by being Original, and of
the Terrible Tricks which he by Magic played Loup-Cervier, the Wicked
Wild Cat._
There are men who are bad at copying, yet are good originals, and of
this kind was Master Rabbit, who, when he gave up trying to do as
others did, succeeded very well.
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