Uncle Remus xx-xx-xx (11) Feeding The Pigs

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio — Uncle Remus (11): Feeding The Pigs

Date: November 9, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio

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Episode Overview

This episode brings listeners back to the nostalgic storytelling of "Uncle Remus," a character who shares animal folktales infused with life lessons for children. In "Feeding The Pigs," Uncle Remus entertains young listeners (and the in-story children) with a charming tale about Brer Fox, Brer Rabbit, and the perils of greed—specifically, what happens when you try to eat dessert before dinner. The episode weaves lessons about courage, maternal encouragement, and cleverness, set against the backdrop of a warm, old-time family gathering.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

1. Feeding the Pigs: Opening Scene & Story Set-Up

• Setting: The story is introduced as Uncle Remus is questioned about feeding the pigs.
• Uncle Remus’ Wisdom:
  • “You don't have to feed pigs. Just put something down and they feeds theyself. Eatin comes as natural to pigs as flying do to a robin.” (C, 00:54)
• Uncle Remus gathers the children for a new story, this time about Sis Robin and her little boy, Junior, before they head out Christmas shopping.

2. The Tale of Sis Robin, Brer Rabbit, and Brer Fox

• Scene Setting:
  • “It certainly was a beautiful December morning… This robin was way up on the topmost branch of the old oak tree giving her little boy Robin Jr. His singing lesson. And right down under that same old oak tree was old Brer Fox, a sittin and a grinning and a lickin his chops with joy.” (C, 01:31)
• Brer Fox’s Plot:
  • Brer Fox is scheming to catch Brer Rabbit for his "main course" and the young robin as dessert, believing Sis Robin's singing will draw them in.
  • “Yasser I feel it in my bones. This is gonna be my big day. Today I eat in style. That little Brer Rabbit belong any minute now… he just can't resist Sis Robin singing. I'll have him for the main course, then for dessert I'll have me a nice fat robin.” (E, 04:02)

3. Brer Rabbit’s Peril & Quick Wit

• Brer Rabbit Captured:
  • After being lured by Sis Robin’s song, Brer Rabbit falls prey to Brer Fox.
  • “Let me go, Brer Fox. Please let me go.” (B, 05:18)
• Humor & Tension:
  • Brer Rabbit tries to talk his way out, referencing Christmas:
    • “You ain't gonna eat me fore Christmas, is you, Brad Fox?” (B, 05:36)
    • "I want to see what Santa Claus gonna bring me for being so good." (B, 05:55)
  • Brer Fox remains cold:
    • “You don’t have to worry about Christmas, Brer Rabbit. Your Christmases is over.” (E, 06:00)

4. Sis Robin & Robin Jr.: Lessons in Courage

• Singing Lesson:
  • Sis Robin tries to teach Robin Jr. to sing, but he is nervous and wants her to sing instead.—A moment highlighting the patience and pride of a mother.
    • “You sing me a nice pretty song and I listen.” (B, 07:42)
• Flying Lesson and Fear:
  • The next lesson is to fly, but Robin Jr. is scared.
    • Sis Robin motivates: “You got to learn to fly one day.” (D, 10:33)
    • “If you don’t learn to fly now, you never will.” (D, 10:43)
    • “Flap your wings and spread your tail.” (B, 10:48)
• Comic Relief:
  • As Robin Jr. is pushed off the branch to learn to fly, Brer Fox salivates:
    • “Rock him over this way… Just a drooling. I wish you could see your chops. They jes a drooling.” (B/C, 09:26)

5. Climax: Brer Rabbit’s Heroic Move

• Robin Jr. Falls Toward Danger:
  • Robin Jr. forgets to flap and plummets into Brer Fox’s open mouth. (11:34)
• Mother’s Desperation:
  • Sis Robin attacks Brer Fox in panic, but cannot free her son.
    • “My baby. Oh, my baby. Oh, my baby.” (B, 12:00)
• Brer Rabbit’s Clever Rescue:
  • Despite being pinned under Brer Fox, Brer Rabbit manages to bite Brer Fox’s tail.
    • “He stretch his neck way around from underneath where old Brer Fox was sitting on him… and bit Brer Fox right in the middle of his big bushy tail.” (C, 12:04)
  • Brer Fox yelps in pain and opens his mouth, letting Robin Jr. escape, and Brer Rabbit escapes too.
    • “Ow. My tail.” (D, 12:34)

6. The Moral & Closing

• Moral Delivered by Uncle Remus:
  • “If you tries to be like Brer Fox and eat your dessert first, you’re most liable not to get no dinner at all.” (C, 13:11)
• Children’s Delight:
  • “Uncle Remus, that was a good story.” (B, 13:13)
• Uncle Remus’ Warm Goodbye:
  • “Run along with your mummy… Come see old Uncle Remus again soon. Real soon, honey… If you could see the stories under this old gray head of mine, you'd know that they were stories just special for little chillens like you.” (C, 13:16)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On pigs and nature:
  • “Eatin comes as natural to pigs as flying do to a robin.” (C, 00:54)
• On villainy and anticipation:
  • “Yasser I feel it in my bones. This is gonna be my big day. Today I eat in style.” (E, 04:02)
• On the hurry for dessert:
  • “And dis time I gon be here to change the flying lesson to a frying lesson.” (E, 06:27)
• On the value of quick thinking:
  • “He stretch his neck way around from underneath… and bit Brer Fox right in the middle of his big bushy tail.” (C, 12:04)
• Folk wisdom (the moral):
  • “If you tries to be like Brer Fox and eat your dessert first, you’re most liable not to get no dinner at all.” (C, 13:11)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:54 – Uncle Remus’ observations about nature and feeding pigs
• 01:31 – Story world: December morning, Robin’s singing lesson, Brer Fox’s scheming
• 04:02 – Brer Fox’s plan to eat Brer Rabbit and Robin
• 05:36 – Brer Rabbit pleads for his life; comic Christmas references
• 07:59 – Sis Robin sings for Robin Jr.
• 10:33 – Sis Robin encourages Robin Jr. to learn flying
• 11:34 – Robin Jr. falls into Brer Fox’s mouth
• 12:04 – Brer Rabbit saves Robin Jr. by biting Brer Fox’s tail
• 13:11 – Uncle Remus delivers the story’s moral
• 13:16 – Warm closing by Uncle Remus

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Summary Tone

The episode maintains a friendly, folksy, and whimsical tone throughout, as is classic for Uncle Remus tales. Humor and warmth permeate the dialogue. The story is lighthearted, with a suspenseful twist, a dash of physical comedy, and ultimately a comforting message about cleverness, courage, and not letting desire for "dessert" cloud one's reason.

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For listeners and families, this is an exemplary episode capturing the old-time radio charm of playful storytelling with a lesson at its heart.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Uncle Remus. Uncle Remus.

[C]

Yeah? Is little Miss Millie.

[D]

What are you doing feeding the pigs, Uncle Rena?

[C]

Of course not, honey child. You don't have to feed pigs. Just put something down and they feeds theyself. Uncle Rena, where's the truth, honey? Eatin comes as natural to pigs as flying do to a robin. Oh, and that make me recommemble Miss Nissa, afore you and your nice mama set out to do some more of that Christmas shopping. If you got time for just a little story boat, Sis Robin. Red Brass's little boy Junior.

[B]

Oh yes, Uncle Remus.

[E]

Well, I tell you what then.

[C]

Just set your sweet little self down here on this old log now. Light up this old concub pipe and we'll get to the telling in bout two shakes of bread. Fox's bushy tail. Yes, it certainly was a beautiful December morning. The whole forest was washed in dancing sunbeams and everybody was up early enjoying it. This robin was way up on the topmost branch of the old oak tree giving her little boy Robin Jr. His singing lesson. And right down under that same old oak tree was old Brer Fox. A sittin and a grinning and a lickin his chops with joy.

[E]

But there was somethin boutin the way.

[C]

Brer Fox was so happy that jest didn't look right no how.

[E]

Yasser I feel it in my bones. This is gonna be my big day. Today I eat in style. That little Brer Rabbit belong any minute now. He just can't resist Sis Robin singing. I'll have him for the main course, then for dessert I'll have me a nice fat robin. Cause when Sis Robin's little boy takes his first flying lesson this morning, I'll be ready. Oh he a come.

[B]

Oh, I'm getting over since driving just singing in the tree and it makes me feel so happy I can sing.

[E]

Charlie, Charlie, listen at him. He'll sing a different tune any minute now, if not sooner.

[B]

Oh I feel so good this morning I could hop a thousand feet. Cause old Brer Fox is still in bed and cannot sleep and eat.

[E]

Don't you think, Brer Rabbit. I got you my mean course.

[B]

Let me go, Brer Fox. Please let me go.

[E]

Quiet. Quiet, Brer Rabbit. Hush your mouth. You was interfering with my musical appreciation.

[B]

You was kind of messing up my life too, Brer Fox.

[E]

Well, hush, hush. You hear me?

[B]

You ain't gonna eat me fore Christmas, is you, Brad Fox?

[E]

I sure is. Go eat you fore the sun go down dis day.

[B]

Please don't eat me. Laugh at Christmas bread, Fox. I've been such a good boy the whole year.

[E]

What is being a good boy got you with, Brer Rabbit?

[B]

I want to see what Santa Claus gonna bring me for being so good.

[E]

You don't have to worry about Christmas, Brer Rabbit. Your Christmases is over.

[B]

You mean that you go eat me right away.

[E]

Right after I eat young Robin up there.

[B]

What make you think you go eat young Robin, Brer Fox?

[D]

Look.

[E]

Up on the branch of the old oak tree, Sis Robin. She getting ready to give young Robin a singing lesson. Brer Rabbit.

[B]

You is heavy, Brer Fox.

[E]

And right after Sis Robin give him a singing lesson, she usually give him a flying lesson. And dis time I gon be here to change the flying lesson to a frying lesson.

[C]

Yes indeed, honey. Ol Brer Fox meant every word he say. Cause there warn't nothing he'd like better to do than have a nice fat young robin in the frying pan. Now back on the branch of the old oak tree, Sis Robin and young Robin Jr, not knowing what was going on down the ground under the branch, got on with this singing lesson.

[D]

Now let me see you do your best, son. I can't, Mama. I just can't. Taint hard, child. Tain't hard. Now listen to this. Try that. I can't, Mama. Try it, I say. Oh, can't you do no better than that? Uh, too little. I tell you what, Mama. You sing me a nice pretty song and I listen.

[B]

And that way maybe I can learn to sing too.

[C]

Well, honey child, when the little robin asked Sis Robin for to sing, she felt so proud that she sang this.

[E]

Song all for him.

[B]

Won't that pretty bear Fox.

[E]

Quiet, Brer Rabbit.

[B]

Someday Little Robin Jr. Will be able to sing like that.

[E]

I hope not. If I've got anything to do with it, he won't. You still go eat it, young Robin. A choice, Marshall. Brer Rabbit do I guess. A chance to eat him. Then count him as that. Then I go eat you. You the main meal he the Dessert. You don't mind if I eats my desert first, does you Brer Rabbit?

[B]

I don't care if you don't. Never eat me, Brer Fart. Please let me loose.

[E]

Lay still.

[B]

Poor little Robin Junior. It's a sin to eat something that'll sing so pretty. Listen, listen. Breath fox.

[E]

On the treetop. Only time I can sing is on a full stomach.

[B]

Sound like you got a pain in your stomach the way you sing.

[E]

Rock him over this way. Assist Robin. Rock him over here towards the knees. This Robin.

[B]

Just a drooling. I wish you could see your chops. They jes a drooling.

[C]

Yes, little Brer Rabbit sure was right. But old Brer Fox's chops. Cause you ever done seed anybody's mouth watering at Old Brer Fox's dat mornin. Underneath the branch of the old oak tree. While back up on the branch, Sis Robin was finishing the singing lesson.

[D]

I guess that'll be all for today son. That'll be all. Oh thank you mama. Now, now get ready for the flying lesson. Oh no, no mama. I'm afraid. You're not gonna hurt you honey. Your mama right here. Would you? What you afraid of? I don't know. I just afraid my little wings is too little and it's so far to the ground.

[C]

Poor little Robin Jr. He wanted Mama to think he was brave and warn't afraid to learn to fly like he was. But his wings was so little and the ground was so far away. And so it was that old Sis Robin had to take the matter in hand.

[D]

Now listen yer child. You gotta learn to fly one day.

[B]

A day as an a day might as well be it.

[D]

I scared mama. Afraid.

[B]

But you're getting so big.

[D]

If you don't learn to fly now you never will. Come on. Remember what your mama tell you, that's all.

[B]

Flap your wings and spread your tail.

[D]

Fellows now here you go.

[E]

Oh, oh, oh. You come with dessert.

[B]

Brer Fox. You is a feed in fox's clothing.

[C]

And with that old Sis Robin took a beak and gently pushed Little Robin Jr. Off the branch.

[B]

Help us forever.

[E]

Flap your wings.

[B]

Wrap your wings. Use your tail feathers. Little rabbit.

[E]

Keep olders. Brer Rabbit, that's my dessert, not your own.

[C]

But the poor little Robin forgot all about flapping his wings. Forgot all about using his tail towels. And down, down, down like a rock. Straight for the ground. Where old Brer Fox was a waitin with his mouth wide open.

[E]

Down, down.

[C]

Right smack into the middle of old Brer Fox's big mouth he went. There, there was the little Robin right inside of Brer Fox mouth. And Sis Robin was a flying around and a divin and a fighting and attacking old Brer Fox with all her might. But he wouldn't turn loose. And what's more, he wouldn't move from where he was holding Brer Rabbit down on the ground underneath of the tree.

[B]

My baby. Oh, my baby. Oh, my baby.

[C]

Scream O. Says Robin. But honey, it looked like it was all over. And it would have been too, if it hadn't a been for right den and dar little Brer Rabbit done become a hero and done something he ain't never done did before nor since. He stretch his neck way around from underneath where old Brer Fox was sitting on him, clean his neck way around like that and bit Brer Fox right in the middle of his big bushy tail.

[D]

Ow.

[B]

My tail.

[C]

Say old Brer Fox. And when he opened his mouth to say ow. Little Robin Jr. Remembered to flap his wings and flew away. And when old Brer Fox jumped up high off the ground to try and catch him, little Brer Rabbit got away too. So you see, Chilling, if you tries to be like Brer Fox and eat your dessert first, you're most liable not to get no dinner at all.

[B]

Uncle Remus, that was a good story.

[E]

Thank you, little miss.

[C]

Miss. And now run along with your mummy and do that Christmas shopping. Come see old Uncle Remus again soon. Real soon, honey. Cause if you could see the stories under this old gray head of mine, you'd know that they were stories just special for little chillens like you there. Get along with you, honey child.

[D]

It's.