Shaui micha Issi (Raccoon and Deer)
Another day, in a remote forest, the Raccoon, carrying under his arm a basket filled with persimmons he had just gathered, was hastening back to his cabin, where his wife and children were waiting for him. At a turn in the road, a deer came upon him out of breath, after running through many dangers in the wood.
Seeing the persimmons, his favorite relish, he hoped to make a hasty meal with his old friend. “How happy I feel, my friend,” he said, “to meet you after having missed you for such a long time! Let us sit down for a while, for I am old and tired; but what do I see in your basket? What lack you have had this morning! What nice persimmons! Let me taste a few of them, for, I assure you, I have eaten nothing today.”
“My dear friend,” replied the Raccoon. “I am very sorry, but I have not a moment to spare. My wife is sick in bed, and she sent me out for some persimmons, which are good for the stomach, and I am in a hurry to return home.”
“But, at least,” said the Deer, “you can tell me where to get persimmons like yours.”
“Willingly,” the Raccoon answered; “do you see yonder big persimmon tree? Right opposite to it there is a rock, and it you go to the top of that rock and jump against the tree you will shake down thousands of persimmons.”
Taking the hint, the Deer started off, ran up the rock, and made a big spring for the tree, but he fell down and broke his ribs. The Raccoon, who was looking on from behind a spreading oak, burst out laughing with such great glee that he split his mouth open from ear to ear. This is the reason why the Raccoon’s mouth is so very large.
(from “Chahta Wit and Humor” The New Orleans Bulletin 1875)