The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHY DOGS CHASE RABBITS

ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A VERY RICH FARMER WHO HAD A DOG
WHICH WAS HIS BEST FRIEND AND COMPANION. ONE DAY DURING A
VERY COLD WINTER, THE FARMER TOOK HIS DOG INTO TOWN AND HAD
HIM FITTED WITH BOOTS.
THE DOG HAD A RABBIT WHO WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF HIS. THE RABBIT
SAID THAT HE WAS COLD, AND THE DOG SAID: "I'M NOT COLD. LOOK
AT THE FINE BOOTS MY MASTER BOUGHT FOR ME!"
THE RABBIT SAID: "DO YOU MIND IF I TRY THEM ON?" AND THE DOG
SAID: "NO."
THE RABBIT WALKED A LITTLE WAY TO SEE HOW THEY FELT, THEN HE
RETURNED AND SAID THAT THEY WERE VERY NICE, BUT THAT HE DID NOT
HAVE A GOOD FEEL FOR THEM, AND ASKED IF HE COULD WALK SOME MORE.
OF COURSE THE DOG ALLOWED HIM TO DO SO.
THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES, AND THE THIRD TIME THE RABBIT DID NOT
RETURN.
AND SO THAT IS WHY DOGS CHASE RABBITS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Date learned: 07-00-1964