Final answer:
"Brer Possum" is called a ballad, yet it's false to assume it is meant to be sung as not all ballads are musical. Stories of trickster animals like Brer Possum and Rabbit were not necessarily intended for singing but followed narrative traditions that resemble ballads.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term ballad is often associated with songs, particularly those that tell a story and are meant to be sung. However, not all narratives called "ballads" in folklore or literature are intended to be accompanied by music. In American Folklore, the character of "Brer Possum" is featured in tales that share similarities with folk ballads, such as the use of quatrains and a particular rhyme scheme. These stories were part of the oral tradition, where narratives were shared to pass on values and lessons. Popular among slaves, such tales often featured trickster characters that, like Brer Rabbit, would outsmart their adversaries, providing entertainment and a sense of justice.
Furthermore, associated with folk music are the work songs of slaves, which sometimes carried double meanings. These songs indeed were sung and were integral in expressing the experience and culture of the slaves. However, the presence of dialogue or storytelling featuring tricksters in literature, such as the stories of Brer Possum, doesn't inherently qualify them as ballads in the musical sense.
Thus, it would be false to categorize "Brer Possum" strictly as a ballad based on the presumption that it is meant to be sung, as the term can also refer to a narrative form in literature or folklore that may not always have a musical component.