The Possum used to have a long, bushy tail, and was so proud of
it that he combed it out every morning and sang about it at the
dance, until the Rabbit, who had had no tail since the Bear
pulled it out, became very jealous and made up his mind to play
the Possum a trick. There was to be a great council and a dance
at which all the animals were to be present. It was the Rabbit’s
business to send out the news, so as he was passing the Possum’s
place he stopped to ask him if he intended to be there. The
Possum said he would come if he could have a special seat,
“because I have such a handsome tail that I ought to sit where
everybody can see me.” The Rabbit promised to attend to it and
to send some one besides to comb and dress the Possum’s tail for
the dance, so the Possum was very much pleased and agreed to
come. Then the Rabbit went over to the Cricket, who is such an
expert hair cutter that the Indians call him the barber, and
told him to go next morning and dress the Possum’s tail for the
dance that night. H