SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

T oft Robinson $
how I felt. »You»re jokin* me, » I says* *No, I ain't,*
says he. * You*re free* 1 'No,' says I, *it's a joke*'
'No, 1 says he, r it's a law that I got to read this paper
to you. Now listen while I read it again**
^But still I wouldn't believe him* *Just so up to
the house,* says he, * and ask Mrs. Robinson* She*11 tell
you*' So I went* *It*s a joke," I says to her* 'Did you
ever know your mastsr to tell you a lie ?• she says. 'No,*
says I, *I ain't.* 'Well,' she says, 'the war's over and
you're free**
^ By that time I thought maybe she was telling me
what was right* 'Miss Robinson,* says I, * can I go over
to see the Smiths?*—they was a colored family that lived
nsarby* *Don't you understand,* says she, * you're free.
You don't have to ask me what you can do* Run along child*•
N^lnd so I went* And do you know why I was a*going?
I wanted to find out if they was free too*» ( a chuckle and
toothy smile) *\ I just couldn't take it all in* I couldn't
"believe we was all free alike* ...
x Was I happy ? Law Miss. You can take anything.
Uo matter how good you treat it it wants to be free*
You can treat it good and feed it good and give it everything
it seems to want but if you open the cage it*s happy/