BEARHIDE AND CROW

An amusing tale based on Appalachian folklore, in which it is said crows can be taught to speak. Amos Dyer is the

laughingstock of his town, thanks to his penchant for swapping quality items for worthless garbage. Sent by his wife to get a new gourd for the well, Amos finds one but trades it for a flea-ridden bearskin from Sam Hankins, who has touted it as being magical. Hearing robbers discussing hidden gold on the Hankins property, Amos is given the perfect opportunity to clear his name and prove he’s capable of making clever decisions. He pretends a crow has told him the location of the gold; then, he trades the crow to Hankins for half the gold. Convincing Hankins that the bearskin was, indeed, magical, Amos has the final laugh when Hankins eagerly trades the remaining gold. Pencil sketches painted with acrylics depict the surprising turn of events

that are certain to tickle your funny bone. Who among us doesn’t like to have the last laugh? (Fiction. 3-5)