The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales

The theme of teamwork and community links many of the stories in Part 1. In “He Lion, Bruh Bear, and Bruh Rabbit,” the little animals form a community and discuss how they should reply to the odious he Lion. The narrator says, “The little animals held a sit-down talk, and one by one and two by two and all by all, they decide to go see Bruh Bear and Bruh Rabbit” (6). The little animals reach a consensus, and as a unified group, they team up with the bear and rabbit, who, through violent Man, teach the lion to behave considerately. They illustrate how teamwork and community can solve issues and create positive change.

Tappin changes the fortunes of his community by teaming up with the eagle and king of the underworld to counter the famine. Tappin misuses the spell and dipper, and things take a turn for the worse. If a creature is overly keen on serving their community, they can expose it to harm. Rather than hurt the deer, the alligator teams up with the deer in “Bruh Alligator and Bruh Deer.” Their bond gives the alligator food and the deer protection. As in the other stories, teamwork is shown to transcend species.