Anansi and the Magic Stick
Anansi and the Magic Stick
Anansi the spider discovers a mysterious stick that has special powers. He must learn what happens when someone tries to use magic for their own benefit.
Anansi the spider was always hungry.
Anansi the spider was always hungry.
He wanted food but did not want to work for it. One day, Anansi walked in the forest.
He wanted food but did not want to work for it. One day, Anansi walked in the forest.
He saw an old man sleeping under a tree.
He saw an old man sleeping under a tree.
Next to the man was a magic stick.
Next to the man was a magic stick.
Anansi was very quiet.
Anansi was very quiet.
He took the stick and ran away fast.
He took the stick and ran away fast.
At home, Anansi said to the stick,
At home, Anansi said to the stick,
"Magic stick, bring me food!"
"Magic stick, bring me food!"
The stick started to dance.
The stick started to dance.
Soon, lots of good food appeared on the table.
Soon, lots of good food appeared on the table.
There was rice, meat, fruit, and bread.
There was rice, meat, fruit, and bread.
Anansi ate and ate until his belly was full.
Anansi ate and ate until his belly was full.
He was very happy.
He was very happy.
The next day, Anansi wanted to show off.
The next day, Anansi wanted to show off.
He called all his friends to his house.
He called all his friends to his house.
"Come and see my magic stick!"
"Come and see my magic stick!"
said Anansi. All the animals came.
said Anansi. All the animals came.
They sat and waited.
They sat and waited.
Anansi held up the stick and said,
Anansi held up the stick and said,
"Magic stick, bring me food!"
"Magic stick, bring me food!"
But nothing happened.
But nothing happened.
The stick did not move.
The stick did not move.
No food came.
No food came.
Anansi tried again.
Anansi tried again.
"Magic stick, bring me food now!"
"Magic stick, bring me food now!"
Still nothing happened.
Still nothing happened.
His friends laughed at him.
His friends laughed at him.
Just then, the old man came to Anansi's house.
Just then, the old man came to Anansi's house.
"That is my stick,"
"That is my stick,"
said the old man.
said the old man.
"You took it from me."
"You took it from me."
Anansi felt very bad.
Anansi felt very bad.
His face turned red.
His face turned red.
"I am sorry,"
"I am sorry,"
said Anansi.
said Anansi.
"I should not have taken your stick."
"I should not have taken your stick."
The old man took his stick back.
The old man took his stick back.
"Next time, ask before you take something."
"Next time, ask before you take something."
"And remember, you must work for what you want."
"And remember, you must work for what you want."
Anansi learned his lesson.
Anansi learned his lesson.
From that day, he worked hard for his food and never stole again.
From that day, he worked hard for his food and never stole again.