This story "Why Rabbits Have Short Tails" is used to reinforce rules or morals. Especially, if one wants to warn little children about the dangers of being tricky and cunny just like the rabbit, this story is usually told.
The rabbit was known to be tricky so one day he decided to play his trick on the alligator. The rabbit who wanted to cross the river to eat clover decided to jump on the backs of the alligator with a pretense that he was counting them. As he got to the last alligator and was about to land on the bank of the river, the last alligator who was hungry chopped off his tail. That's why rabbit has a short tail.
Generally, this story is used to teach everyone (both young and old) the consequences of being cunny and tricky.
Who indirectly receives the ceremonial food? "The ancestors." Another way of stating this is some families prepare ceremonial food from their ancestors.
