I was shakin' from bein' cold 'n' wet, so Papa put 'is vest 'n' hat on me t' keep me warm on de way home. It's a good thang Papa took me home when 'e did 'cause de sky was all gray 'n' dark all dat day. Papa di'nt say nothin', but I had t' keep lookin' up at 'im. Papa di'nt look angry or sad or nothin'. He jess looked real determined t' get me 'ome.

"...achoo..."

Papa looked at me wid wide eyes. My nose was runnin' 'n' my tears were fallin' agin.

"...achoo..."Some lightenin' got all bright 'n' flashy 'n' thunder began crackin'.

"Well, bless my soul..." Papa said as I threw my face into 'is chest 'n' clutched 'is shoulders. I knew he musta hated me, so I figgered I might as well enjoy bein' held while it lasted.

"We almost home, but you can' be gettin' sick now; oh no, indeed. No mo' tears, darlin'." I sniffled at my nose 'n' looked down. I was disappointin' 'im agin. Papa always did think dat my heart, my lil body, everythin' 'bout me was mo' fragile dan a glass vase.

As de rain started outside, Papa got me home real quick 'n' gently put me on my bed. He showed me Foxy 'n' Farah, who Papa had found sittin' by de river. I figgered I musta left dem dere by accident.

I's real glad he took off my nightgown 'n' "unnergarments" and fixed de wound in my leg. I squeaked when he tried t' clean it. He wiped my oncomin' tears wid 'is free paw.

"Don' panic, child. It's a'ight. I's almost done. No mo' tears. Dis might hurt a lil." He sprayed some sort a "wound fixer upper" or somethin' on my spot 'n' I really hated it. I cou'nt help but squeak so' mo'. Papa put a bandage on my wound 'n', after a few moments, kissed my forehead. I was sorta expectin' 'im to put clean clothes on me and/or start yellin'. Instead, Papa took me off de bed 'n' sat me down in a chair.

"Achoo."

Bath time was real quiet and di'nt go as it usually did. Instead of riskin' gettin' my bandage wet, Papa rolled up 'is sleeves 'n' rinsed me by paw. In de tub, I'd already be wet from de waist down afta gettin' in, but Papa did it all 'imself as I sat in my chair.

"Achoo!"

Papa stood me up afta 'e rinsed me, started latherin' my sponge wid soap 'n' began washin' me from head t' toe like 'e always did. He also took great care to avoid de bandage he put up on my upper left leg. Papa rinsed me agin 'n' wrapped me in a towel. I was sorta expectin' 'im t' start yellin' at me agin, but instead he made me blow my nose int' a tissue 'n' picked out a clean, dry night gown fo' me to wear as he carried me to my bed.

But de thing Papa did next surprised mo' dan anythin' else. He toweled me off, helped me get in my nightgown, tossed de towel to de side, bundled me up in my white blanket 'n' held me like a lil baby fo' a minute or two. I was certainly small 'nough fo' it. As he cradled me in my blanket, Papa di'nt look mad no mo'. He gave me a real lovin' look...maybe he still loved me...but afta all dos things I done said? Not likely...

"ACHOO!"

"A'ight, Lisa, a'ight, you stay right here. I'll be right back wid some soup. You probably real hungry." "Yes sir." Afta he tucked me into bed, put Foxy 'n' Farrah in my paws, 'n' left me dere, I started thinkin...

Afta all I did 'n' what I said, he's bandaged me, bathed me, held me nicely, 'n' now he was bringin' me dinner. I know Papa still don' want me...so why...I wanted t' ask 'im some questions but I don' know what he'll do. I got real tired too 'n' fell asleep real quick-like.

I slept fo' a lil while befo' I felt a large paw gently scratchin' my back. My eyes slowly opened 'n' I found myself lyin' on my stomach wid my pillow in my face. I looked up to Papa who was starin' at me. My stomach started talkin', 'n' it was mad!

"My tummy hurts..."

Papa turned away, 'n' showed me a tray he'd brought dat carried a bowl a chicken soup 'n' a cup a hot tea. "Dat's 'cause you gotta eat somethin', honey. Dis is jess what you need." I sat up in my bed 'n' Papa started stirrin' de soup. He held de soup t' 'is mouth, blew on it, 'n' started feedin' me. In between spoonfuls, Papa gave me tea t' drink. He repeated it ev'ry time befo' de soup 'n' tea were all gone. He put de bowl 'n' cup on my bed table, turned to me, 'n' sighed. Papa got up 'n' looked away, probably tryin' t' figure out what t' say.

Uh-oh, here it comes.

You a bad daughter.

You no good runt.

You don' do nothin' right.

"Papa?"

"Huh?"

"I don' hate you. I understand if you hate me dough."

"Lisa..."

"I made you mad...'n' you said 'dere ain't gonna be a next time'. You don' want me no mo'...I know you don'!" I must be de biggest crybaby de whole universe knows 'cause I jess started cryin' agin. I almost di'nt wanna look at 'im. I knew 'e di'nt love me afta I de way I disobeyed 'n' ran off. Papa stared fo' a moment, but 'eld out 'is arms 'n' walked right back to me.

"What's dis? N-now c'mere, baby, c'mere..." Papa sat back on de bed, took me in 'is arms, 'n' rocked me back 'n' forth. "No, indeed...dere ain't no place fo' dat kinda talk. No mo' tears now."

"Lisa, first thang, I's sorry fo' yellin' at you. You ain't no good fo' nothin'." "I'm not?" "No! When I saw you touchin' dat axe, I was so scared fo' you. But callin' you dose things was wrong. Even I'm willin' to admit dat. If dere's one thang I've learned, is this: Lisa Fox ain't no good fo' nothin'."

"So you still love me?" "'Cos I do. Who told you I di'nt love you?" "You said 'dere ain't gonna be a next time'. I thought you di'nt want me or love me no mo', so I left 'ome." Papa looked away.

"Oh, I see...Lisa, you pay 'ttention to yo' Papa now: when you were bawn, I had no idea dat you shown up. Den a week lata, when you came t' me, I was so shocked, 'cause I'd only been wid your momma once. But when I saw how sweet you was, all wrapped up de same way you are now, all in white, soft 'n' warm, you did somethin' t' me. You made me all soft, dat's what you did. Befo' you came 'long, I was a real nasty critter. I was huntin' critters left 'n' right, especially you newest lil friend. But den you came, 'n' I had t' remind myself alot t' be good t' you. I gotta admit, I's still nasty sometimes, but, wid you, I feel like I gots a real purpose t' do what I do. I don' hunt fo' jess me no mo'. I do it fo' you too. You a child, 'n' you need clothes, a roof, a bed, 'n' someone t' look afta you. Besides, I knew you was mine, 'specially afta I took you home to live here wid me. Sho 'nough yo' Ma sent me a note 'splainin' ev'rythin' dat 'appened afta I met 'er 'n' thought dat I love 'er, but when I first held you 'n' took a nice good look at you, I kinda felt dat you mo' a less came from me. You got my eyes, big feet like me too..." He laughed 'n' jokingly took my foot 'n' sorta shifted it as I looked down at it. "You also a lil stubborn, always wantin' t' do somethin', and ya clearly got a passion fo' what you believe in! Baby girl, you much mo' like me dan you realize...and if Momma wasn't gonna help me take care a you, den I guess I had to do it myself, what wid you bein' mine 'n' all. Why? 'Cause you my child, 'n' nothin' will eva make me hate you."

"I wish I di'nt run away. ACHOO!"

"'N' I wish you di'nt neither. You don' know frightened I got when I di'nt see you in yo' bed. I was actually gonna come t' 'pologize but den I cou'nt find you, 'n' off I was lookin' for ya. So when I saw you fall off dat waterfall wid Brer Rabbit, you can probably imagine how angry I was when-"

"Papa, Brer Rabbit di'nt do nothin' t' hurt me. He was holdin' onto me de entire time 'n' pulled me up t' a log so's I could be safe. Please believe me, Papa." I took Papa's arm 'n' started cryin' agin. Papa pulled me closer t' 'im.

"Lisa, I love you...but Brer Rabbit 'n' I have been chasin' each otha long befo' you were bawn. I...I's grateful dat he saved yo' life...but..." I threw my head int' 'is stomach 'n' clenched 'is shirt.

"Papa, please don' say it! He my friend."

"Lisa...look at me..." He cupped my chin wid both paws 'n' looked at me real clear in de eyes. "I don' want us hatin' each otha, but it's natural fo' critters t' chase each otha. We been doin' it since we first came t' Briar Country long ago. I chase lil rabbits 'n' dose dumb birds on our Coop Days 'cause I know how they taste. When I was yo' age my Momma 'n' Papa fed me birds 'n' rabbits, 'n' I liked it, so when I left dere cave t' find my own, I wanted t' keep doin' jess dat."

"Does dis mean dat I have t' eat rabbit? Can I jess eat de ones dat are mean t' me?" Papa chuckled at dat last question. But 'e stopped 'n' took my paws. "Sweetie, when you all grown up, you'll have your own cave, and you'll get t' do whateva you want. But 'till den, I'm yo' Papa, 'n' you gotta take what I give you. It's like what I told Uncle Remus, I'm always gonna be chasin' critters, but I don' want you to hate me fo' it. I let Brer Rabbit go 'cause he saved yo' life, but dat's de best dat I can do. I ain't gonna upset neither nature's laws nor my own. 'N' you need t' respect dat."

"So you gonna keep chasin' no matter what? ACHOO!"

"Dat's right. 'N' as long as you live in my cave, you live under my rules. You understand, lil one?" Papa was lookin' real stern. Dere was no stoppin' my Papa, was dere? I lowered my head, I di'nt wanna fight wid Papa no mo'...still...

...maybe fo' once, Papa wasn't right 'bout somethin'...

But I let Papa win. I have t' obey, but I jess wish he wasn't so stubborn.

"Yes sir."

Papa tucked me back int' bed 'n' took de tray 'n' dishes in 'is paws. I was still sick, so he simply reminded me dat he loved me 'n' told me t' get some sleep. When he left de room, lil tears started comin' down agin.

I's sorry Brer Rabbit. I tried. "What am I gonna do, Foxy? Farrah, tell me what t' do.

I spend de rest of de day in bed wid my two lil friends, wid Papa comin' to check on me every hour or so. Dat afternoon, he came in wid a new bandage. "Lisa, I's gonna replace dis ol' wrap a yours." "Will it hurt?" "Only a lil. It'll sorta be like-" "Den NO!" I tried t' scurry 'way from 'im, but he took me firmly but gently by my arms. "Honey, it'll only take a second. You don't even have t' look at it. Jess look at me. I'll be talkin' so much, you won't realize what's 'appenin' 'till it's over."

Like befo', dere was no winnin' wid Papa. He flipped my skirt up wid the new wrap in 'is paw 'n' got to work. I could feel 'is paws take my ol' bandage 'n' begin to peel it off my leg. I was squeakin' mo' dan eva in my life. I tried t' wiggle away, but Papa's much stronger dan me. Papa took my chin in 'is free paw 'n' made me look in 'is eyes. "Jess keep lookin' at me, sweetie. Let's get t' talkin'. Honey, I think once you better-"

"Ahh!"

"It'll be ova in less dan a minute. Now, my love, I think dat once you betta, we gonna visit some distant family. Well, not too distant anyway."

"Who, Papa? Who are we vis-AUGH!"

Papa showed me de reddish brown bandage dat he simply pulled off me. I was 'bout t' start tearin' up agin, but Papa caught 'em wid 'is finger. "Dere now, see, is ova now. No mo' tears." Papa waited fo' me t' calm down. He went ahead 'n' put de new bandage on my cut 'n' swept my hair outta my face. "Now, as I was sayin', you 'n' me are gonna visit some relatives once you all betta. We haven't seen our cousins, de Wolves, in awhile, have we?"

I started feelin' mighty nervous. Papa was Zeke Midas Wolf's cousin, once removed. Dat made me 'is second cousin, 'n' 'is son, my third cousin. I guess I feel nervous 'cause...well...Cousin Zeke has an obsession wid catchin' three lil pigs dat live in de next county ova; kinda like what my Papa has wid Brer Rabbit. In past visits, Papa 'n' Cousin Zeke would often sit 'n' talk 'bout dese four critters 'n' different ways t' catch 'em, while Lil Wolf 'n' I would sit 'n' play. I like my third cousin, Lil Wolf. Sometimes he'd tell me stories 'bout what dem three pigs were really like: three fun lovin' pigs who'd often sing songs 'n' play ('specially the two younger ones Fifer 'n' Fiddler. De third one, Practical, worked mo' often den not). When I first learned dese things I asked Papa if Cousin Zeke 'n' the pigs were de same critters from dat famous story of de Three Lil Pigs, 'n' sho' 'nough dey were. I was related t' the Big Bad Wolf hisself. De same one dat went afta Lil Red Ridin' Hood, 'n' several otha lil critters 'n' people. Who knows who he could go afta next? Can ya see why I's so nervous?

Dat next Father's Day, Papa put me in a nice dress 'n' walked us ova de county line t' Cousin Zeke's house. It was a mighty creepy lookin' cave wid a laundry line 'n' a mailbox at de front. Cousin Zeke's was already wait in' fi' us wid 'is mighty large red pants, brown hat, 'n' green suspenders. 'N' dere besides 'im stood my fav-o-rite cousin, Lil Wolf. he a lil older dan me, so I often let 'im suggest stuff dat we could do while Cousin Zeke 'n' Papa talk. But not befo' I had to say howdy to Zeke.

"Cousin Fox, it's been foreva! How's de Briar Country?!"

"Same as usual. All "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" 'n' not 'nough rabbits on de table. Right, Lisa?"

"Well, if it ain't lil Sis Fox?!" I shifted a lil bit when he talked to me.

"Howdy, Uncle Zeke." Even dough he was my second cousin, I normally called 'im Uncle 'cause he was way older dan me 'n' a lil older dan Papa.

"Naw! Dis can't be de same lil thang ol' Fox brought home wid 'im four year ago!"

"'Deed I is."

Uncle Zeke laughed at me.

"Seems like only yesterday, wasn't it? I asked 'im t' bring ova a casserole dish fo' a party we was havin', but he brought you home instead!" As he laughed, out came my very good friend.

"Hello, Lisa."

"Howdy, Lil Wolf!"

Dis would be when Lil Wolf 'n' I would go inside de house-like cave 'n' play. Lil Wolf 'n'I always had somethin' t' do. My fav-o-rite thang we'd do is lay on de floor 'n' draw pictures. My pictures were all 'bout me, Papa, Brer Rabbit, 'n' Lil Wolf. But dat day fo' some reason, I started drawin' Uncle Zeke. Probably 'cause I was hearin' ev'ry word he 'n' Papa were sayin' t' each otha.

"That's insane, Fox! If that child is gonna grow up properly, she's gotta know that she can't go off defending that ol' rabbit!"

"Well, as much as I hate to admit it, I do have a lil respect fo' de critter fo' savin' 'er, but dat jess makes it all de worse! Wolf, I's beginnin' t' feel like I gots mo' troubles dan dat biggity rabbit hisself!"

"Really?"

"I's a single parent wid a lil one at home who wants to play wid our dinner instead a make 'im our dinner!"

"Dat's so!"

"She almost scared a me, I thinks! She gets all defensive when I talk 'bout eatin' dat Brer Rabbit. What am I supposed to do 'bout dat baby?!"

"Remind her who's boss, a course! That's what I do with my son! I know he wants to be friends with those pigs, but he knows he gonna get what I give 'im!"

"...how d'you live wid it?"

"Simple: I make 'im come with me 'n' show 'im how to catch pigs regardless. He may not agree, but he's a smart kid. In time, he'll figure things out."

"Well, Lisa's very smart, I thinks."

"I'm sure she'll figure things out herself. Besides, is rabbit hunting the only thing you two do?"

"Nah, we do otha things. We go on walks, I show 'er how t' build things, she really good wid her paws. I also been teachin' 'er how t' read. She gotta repeat things t' learn, but dere's no doubt that I's raisin' a smart lil girl." Papa folded 'is arms all proud-like.

"Has she thought a smart ways t' trap other critters?"

"Naw...but I ain't expectin' her t' know now. She only four. I mean, come on, terrible traps dat turn certain critters int' has-beens? Babies don' make stuff like dat up. That'll come when she older."

"You thought about school?"

"Yeah...I know she needs to start soon. She'd better not make friends wid any mo' rabbits, I'll tell ya dat much!"

I could hear all dese things. Lil Wolf 'n' I were sittin' right outside de room dey were talkin' in.

"Wolfie, what's school?"

"Your Pa never told you?"

"I don' think so..."

"When you get t' be a lil older, you go to school 'n' learn things with other kids."

"I think I'll stay home with Papa."

"You have to go."

"Why?"

"Law says so. You can be home-schooled I think. But as long as you're learnin' by someone somehow..."

"I think I'll ask Papa...do you think Papa's disappointed in me? I've always thought he was..."

"If he's anything like my Pop, he'll teach you 'n' teach you, but, listen Lisa. I think you gotta do what you think is right. I'm always asking Pop if he considers stopping, but he never does, but I guess I gotta keep trying. Because I think that's what's right. Defending my friends 'n' encouraging Pop to learn a thing or two. Maybe you could try doing that too."

"But Papa don' wanna change. We don' agree no mo'. What am I gonna do, Wolfie? I love 'im so much, but I like Brer Rabbit too."

"Keep lovin' your Pa, I guess. In my experience, you can try both."

"What if I can't do both?...Papa can be real pushy sometimes...ain't family mo' 'portant dan otha critters?"

Lil Wolf admitted dat in dis case...he jess di'nt know.

I wanted t' persist, but sho' 'nough we went back t' drawin' pictures. We both fell asleep in time, 'n' I di'nt wake up until I felt Papa pick me up. I opened my eyes a lil bit 'n' felt 'im kiss me several times on diff'ent corners a my face. I di'nt realize dat Zeke 'n' Wolfie were watchin' us till Papa pointed dem out to me.

"Say goodbye t' Lil Wolf," Papa said. He put me back on de ground, pulled down my dress as I stood dere 'n' let me hug Lil Wolf, who had jess woken up 'imself.

"Bye, Lil Wolf..." Part a me wanted t' stay wid Wolfie, but den I 'membered Cousin Zeke...I think I'll stick wid Papa. I started rubbin' my eyes 'n' yawnin', but Papa firmly, but gently placed my arms away from my eyes. He at least let me raise my arms up as I hoped he'd hold me.

"Dat's 'notha thing: you hold her too much," Zeke laughed. Papa picked me up 'n' kissed me agin.

"Not everyday all de time, thank you ver' much!"

"You be a good fox now," Zeke laughed at me.

"Okay..." Papa let me sleep in 'is embrace. I could kinda feel 'im carryin' me 'ome as I drifted off. I woke up agin when we got 'ome 'n' Papa insisted dat I bathe befo' I go to bed, despite me askin' 'im if I could sleep first 'n' den bathe in de mo'nin'.

As Papa rolled up 'is sleeves 'n' started bathin' me in de tub, I started cryin'...agin...

But I wasn't sad or nothin'.

"Honey, you jess tired-close your mouth-we've been havin' a busy time lately. Good thang too..." Papa said as 'e washed my face.

"Why's it a good thing?"

"It's good to be busy...'specially considerin' what's comin' up soon."

"What's comin' up?"

"When you turn five, I'mma start sendin' you t' school!"

"I don' wanna go!"

"'Cos you do! Everybody gotta go at some point. Even I went when I was jess known as Lil Fox. Only fools miss out on school. Now I'm not raisin' a fool, am I?"

I looked down.

"No sir."

"Dat's what I thought!"

"What 'bout de otha chillen? Everybody knows how you like t' hunt otha critters, so...what if dey don' like me?"

"Lisa, don' think dat we de only critters who hunt. Othas do it too. Cousin Zeke does it, Brer Gator does it, even dose creepy ol' Brer Buzzards have been known t' snap at othas, 'specially when they sick 'n' weak. Don' worry, Lisa. You won't have t' see dem ev'ry day, jess Monday thru Friday, 'n' den on de weekends we can do whateva we want, jess us."

I reached ova de side of de tub 'n' clung t' 'im, hopin' dat fo' some reason, dis would make 'im think t' home school me. Papa gently placed me back in 'n' rinsed me. Papa helped me step out, gave me a towel, 'n' let me pick out a nightgown t' wear. He wiped away my "tired tears", 'n' said, as he often did, "no mo' tears".

Befo' he officially tucked me in, he did somethin' a lil unexpected. He stood me up afta I got my nightgown on, 'n' sat on my bed. He gave me a sweet lil smile 'n' held out 'is arms.

I stepped forward, hopin' he wanted t' hold me agin. And den it happened. "C'MERE!" he cried. Papa grabbed me, swung me ova t' 'is side 'n' tickled me somethin' awful. I jess laughed 'n' laughed. Papa was a real good tickler 'n' knew all my ticklish spots. He sat me on de bed against de wall 'n' laughed as I did. As he tickled, he'd rub 'is nuzzle 'n' head on my stomach, makin' me laugh even harder. De best part was de ver' end: he lifted me up in de air, flipped up my skirt, put 'is face on my middle 'n' made a funny raspberry like sound wid 'is mouth. I laughed 'arder dan I ever did in my whole life. Throughout dis whole thing, he reminded alot dat he loved me ver' much!

Papa wasted no time tuckin' me int' bed, kissin' me goodnight, 'n' blowin' out my candle.

On my fifth birthday, which 'appened a few months lata, Papa took me t' a market place dat was lots a minutes away from de coops we visited fo' Coop Day. He asked me t' pick out somethin' I wanted fo' my birthday. I found de perfect gift: a book of blank pages 'n' colorin' pencils. Papa liked de choice I made 'n' gladly paid fo' it. He also paid fo' a journal, writin' pencils, a carry-round bag, 'n' a smaller bag.

"You sure I have t' go t' school?"

"Yes, ma'am! 'N' dese things'll help you get a good start!" I was still a lil unsure, but 'e insisted dat it would be good fo' me.

In de months leadin' up t' my first day a school, Papa 'n' I did lotsa things. We went on mo' Coop Days den usual, had picnics mo' often, 'n' even he made me watch 'im put some traps up fo' Brer Rabbit as he tried t' convince me dat dis was what I needed to do, but de best days we had were when we went fishin' togetha like we used to. I even began readin' to Papa, instead a 'im readin' t' me. He often told me dat I was real smart. I don' know 'bout dat though. Sho' I could read, but it still took me a long time t' fully learn stuff. Dat bothers me so, but Papa would assured me dat I was fine jess de way I was.

Funny how he would say considerin' de odd thing dat 'appened jess five weeks befo' I started school. I'd always been real small fo' my age. Even as a newborn, Papa said dat I was, let's face it, a runt; a sweet lil runt dough, but still a runt regardless. Though I grew a lil bit over time, I was still really small 'n' fragile. At four year old, I was only a lil shorter dan Brer Rabbit, but one mo'nin', jess weeks befo' I started school, I had what Papa later called "an overnight growth spurt". I told Papa dat I di'nt feel like myself, which convinced 'im to put my against de wall 'n' take my measurement. When he saw what happened, he laughed at me.

"Why you laughin' at me?"

"I ain't laughin' at you. I's laughin' cause I'm happy. Lisa, you've grown two mo' inches! You realize what dis means?!" Papa cried.

"I's fin'lly growin'?"

"Well...yeah...but dere's somethin' else too. You as tall as Brer Rabbit. Betcha di'nt know dat!"

"...how do you know Brer Rabbit's height?"

"If he gonna be my dinner someday, I'd like t' know a thang o' two 'bout 'im, shouldn't I?"

"...well..."

"But dat's not 'portant right now! What is 'portant is dat you growin'! I's so proud a you!" Papa hugged me tightly.

"Does dis mean you gonna start tryin' to eat me?"

"'Cos not! My lil girl's one thang, Brer Rabbit is 'notha."

"Oh..."

"Don' ask silly questions," Papa said as he kissed my head 'n' gently rested 'is head on it.

I cou'nt believe it...

...I wasn't feelin' so small no mo'.

Papa provided some new school clothes fo' me t' wear given my new height. Dough it was only a two inch diff'ence, he insisted dat I get new clothes. We both found out however dat I may have been taller, but I was still a thin lil thing 'n' Papa continued t' handle me with gentle care, as 'e always did, as a result.

And den, de big day came: my first day of school. Papa gave me a thorough sponge bath de night befo', 'n' woke me up real early de next mo'nin' to help me pick out a pretty dress. He tied a bow 'n' my hair, gave me a big breakfast, 'n' showed me de lunch he made fo' me de night befo': a turkey sandwich wid a big red apple. When we had t' go, I di'nt wanna step out, but Papa took my paw 'n' got me t' walk out togetha. We started our nice long walk down de path, pass de Briar Patch, pass Mr. Bluebird's next, 'n' long pass de holes of de Mole Sisters 'n' Sis Possum. Dere was a moment where I saw Brer Rabbit out of de corner of my eye. He was relaxin' by a tree holdin' paws wid Miss Molly Cottontail. Somethin' 'bout 'er di'nt look right. She looked a lil round t' me 'n' Brer Rabbit kept kissin' her 'n' starin' down at her stomach. He saw me starin' at him mostly, 'n' simply smiled at me 'n' I smiled back as Papa 'n' I went along. I tugged on Papa's vest 'n' whispered "Papa, why is Miss Cottontail so fat? She neva looked dat way befo'." Papa looked ova at de couple 'n' chuckled a lil as Brer Rabbit noticed 'im starin', helped Miss Cottontail up, 'n' hopped dem both away holdin' paws.

"Honey, Brer Rabbit married Miss Cottontail, 'n' it looks like they'll be havin' babies soon...interestin'..." He had dat real familiar look in 'is eyes. He wou'nt...I clutched Papa's leg.

"You not gonna eat 'em, are you? Dey jess babies." I looked at 'im a lil pleadingly. Papa musta thought I was desperate, 'cause he stroked my head all lovin'ly.

"No, I won'..."

"You promise?"

A lil silence lata...

"I promise." We hugged 'n' continued on our way.

Dough de walk was a bit long, we evenchally got to de school house where lots a other critter chillen were talkin' 'n' playin'. Bear cubs, possums, lil rabbits, young coons, all sorts a critters had come t' start school. Part a me wished dat Wolfie would be dere, but he had to go to school in de next county ova where 'e lived wid Cousin Zeke. Oh well...

An older critter, Miss Possum, sister of ol' Brer Possum, came up to us real quickly.

"Hello, Brer Fox! Mighty nice to see out of Chick-A-Pin Hill!" Her voice was sweeter dan pancake syrup, I figgered.

"Howdy, Miss Possum. I's jess droppin' off my young'un." Miss Possum knelt down t' me.

"My brother 'n' sister-in-law have told me lots 'bout you. How do you do, Miss Fox?" I looked up at Papa, who gave me a reassurin' smile.

"Fine, how are you? How you come on?"

"Pretty good sure as you're bawn!" I smiled a lil bit, but felt my shyness comin' back t' me. But den somethin' amazin' happened.

A boy appeared. De most handsome lil boy I'd ever seen; a reynard, a real BOY FOX! De only reynard fox I'd eva known was my Papa, but now dere was anotha my own age! He started walkin' up t' me wid 'is blue overalls, bright yellow shirt, 'n' bucket hat.

"...I di'nt know dere were otha foxes out in Briar Country..."

"Me neither!" I di'nt bother to ask Papa why I never saw otha foxes 'til now. I jess walked up t' 'im 'n' asked 'im if I could play wid 'im. De boy looked a lil shy.

"I guess..." I followed de boy t' de school house. Papa looked a lil nervous, but at dat moment, I kinda di'nt care. I only heard one otha thing from my Papa befo' he completely left my thoughts fo' a moment.

"Now, Miss Possum, I gotta tell ya, Lisa is a very special pup; I mean really special. So...try t' have a lil patience, 'specially when she's learnin'. You think she'll be ok?" I looked back up at Papa 'n' Miss Possum fo' a moment 'n' den looked back down at de grass wid this new lil fox. I di'nt even know dat Papa was walkin' up t' me until I felt a paw on my back. I looked up 'n' jess saw 'im lookin' at me.

"Now, Lisa, I'll be here at 3 o'clock to pick ya up, you hear?"

"Yes, Papa." I started cryin' a lil bit. I was happy, but I jess di'nt want 'im to go yet.

"You be good now. No mo' tears." He put my face in 'is paws 'n' wiped my tears away.

"I will." I stared at 'im for a bit 'n' jumped up 'n' hugged 'im tightly.

"I love you."

He held me closer dan he ever had befo'. Dere were no mo' doubts 'bout dis fox dat de critters called my father.

My Papa, Brer Fox, de nastiest critter in all a Briar Country, loved me mo' dan anythin' else in de universe.

"Right back atcha..." Papa released me.

I coulda sworn I saw a tear fall from 'im as I went wid dat handsome fox boy int' de school house.

No mo' tears, Papa, no mo' tears.