Anansi and the Thunder God
Long ago, there lived a clever spider named Anansi.
Long ago, there lived a clever spider named Anansi.
He was very smart but sometimes got into trouble.
He was very smart but sometimes got into trouble.
One day, Anansi saw dark clouds in the sky.
One day, Anansi saw dark clouds in the sky.
He heard loud thunder.
He heard loud thunder.
The Thunder God was angry again.
The Thunder God was angry again.
When the Thunder God was angry, no rain fell.
When the Thunder God was angry, no rain fell.
The plants died.
The plants died.
The animals had no water.
The animals had no water.
Anansi wanted to help his friends.
Anansi wanted to help his friends.
He decided to visit the Thunder God in the sky.
He decided to visit the Thunder God in the sky.
Anansi climbed up his web very high.
Anansi climbed up his web very high.
He climbed and climbed until he reached the clouds.
He climbed and climbed until he reached the clouds.
"Thunder God,"
"Thunder God,"
said Anansi.
said Anansi.
"Why are you so angry?"
"Why are you so angry?"
"The earth needs rain."
"The earth needs rain."
The Thunder God looked down at the small spider.
The Thunder God looked down at the small spider.
"I am angry because people forgot about me."
"I am angry because people forgot about me."
"They do not thank me for the rain."
"They do not thank me for the rain."
Anansi thought for a moment.
Anansi thought for a moment.
"What if I help people remember you?"
"What if I help people remember you?"
"Will you send rain again?"
"Will you send rain again?"
"Yes,"
"Yes,"
said the Thunder God.
said the Thunder God.
"But first, you must pass a test."
"But first, you must pass a test."
"Bring me the most beautiful sound in the world."
"Bring me the most beautiful sound in the world."
Anansi went back to earth.
Anansi went back to earth.
He listened to many sounds.
He listened to many sounds.
He heard birds singing.
He heard birds singing.
He heard children laughing.
He heard children laughing.
He heard the wind in the trees.
He heard the wind in the trees.
But which sound was the most beautiful?
But which sound was the most beautiful?
Then Anansi had an idea.
Then Anansi had an idea.
He gathered all the people together.
He gathered all the people together.
He told them about the Thunder God.
He told them about the Thunder God.
He asked them to sing together to thank the Thunder God for rain.
He asked them to sing together to thank the Thunder God for rain.
All the people sang.
All the people sang.
Their voices joined together in one beautiful song.
Their voices joined together in one beautiful song.
The song rose up to the sky.
The song rose up to the sky.
The Thunder God heard the song.
The Thunder God heard the song.
He smiled.
He smiled.
"This is the most beautiful sound,"
"This is the most beautiful sound,"
he said.
he said.
"It is people being grateful."
"It is people being grateful."
The Thunder God sent rain to the earth.
The Thunder God sent rain to the earth.
The plants grew green again.
The plants grew green again.
The animals found water to drink.
The animals found water to drink.
From that day, people always remembered to thank the Thunder God for rain.
From that day, people always remembered to thank the Thunder God for rain.
And Anansi learned that bringing people together was better than being clever alone.
And Anansi learned that bringing people together was better than being clever alone.