Anansi and Tiger
Anansi and Tiger
Anansi the spider and Tiger are both clever animals who think they are the smartest in the forest. When they meet, they decide to have a contest to see who is truly the wisest.
Long ago, Tiger was the king of all animals.
Long ago, Tiger was the king of all animals.
He was big and strong.
He was big and strong.
All animals were afraid of him.
All animals were afraid of him.
Anansi was a small spider.
Anansi was a small spider.
He was very clever.
He was very clever.
Anansi wanted to be the king of all stories.
Anansi wanted to be the king of all stories.
But Tiger had all the stories in a big box.
But Tiger had all the stories in a big box.
One day, Anansi went to Tiger.
One day, Anansi went to Tiger.
"I want to buy your stories,"
"I want to buy your stories,"
said Anansi. Tiger laughed.
said Anansi. Tiger laughed.
"You are too small!"
"You are too small!"
"But I will give you a chance."
"But I will give you a chance."
"Bring me three things."
"Bring me three things."
"Then you can have my stories."
"Then you can have my stories."
"What three things?"
"What three things?"
asked Anansi.
asked Anansi.
"Bring me the hornets that sting."
"Bring me the hornets that sting."
"Bring me the snake that bites."
"Bring me the snake that bites."
"Bring me the leopard with sharp teeth,"
"Bring me the leopard with sharp teeth,"
said Tiger. Anansi was scared.
said Tiger. Anansi was scared.
But he was also clever.
But he was also clever.
He went home and made a plan.
He went home and made a plan.
First, Anansi went to find the hornets.
First, Anansi went to find the hornets.
He took a big pot with him.
He took a big pot with him.
He poured water on himself.
He poured water on himself.
Then he poured water on the hornets.
Then he poured water on the hornets.
"Oh no!"
"Oh no!"
"It is raining!"
"It is raining!"
said Anansi to the hornets.
said Anansi to the hornets.
"Come into my pot."
"Come into my pot."
"You will be safe and dry."
"You will be safe and dry."
The hornets flew into the pot.
The hornets flew into the pot.
Anansi quickly put a lid on the pot.
Anansi quickly put a lid on the pot.
Next, Anansi went to find the snake.
Next, Anansi went to find the snake.
He took a long stick with him.
He took a long stick with him.
He talked to himself near the snake.
He talked to himself near the snake.
"My friend says you are not as long as this stick,"
"My friend says you are not as long as this stick,"
said Anansi loudly.
said Anansi loudly.
The snake heard him.
The snake heard him.
"I am longer than that stick!"
"I am longer than that stick!"
said the snake.
said the snake.
"Show me,"
"Show me,"
said Anansi. The snake lay down next to the stick.
said Anansi. The snake lay down next to the stick.
Anansi quickly tied the snake to the stick.
Anansi quickly tied the snake to the stick.
Last, Anansi went to find the leopard.
Last, Anansi went to find the leopard.
He dug a deep hole in the ground.
He dug a deep hole in the ground.
He covered it with leaves.
He covered it with leaves.
The leopard fell into the hole.
The leopard fell into the hole.
"Help me!"
"Help me!"
cried the leopard.
cried the leopard.
"I will help you,"
"I will help you,"
said Anansi.
said Anansi.
He put down a rope.
He put down a rope.
When the leopard climbed up, Anansi caught him in a net.
When the leopard climbed up, Anansi caught him in a net.
Anansi took all three animals to Tiger.
Anansi took all three animals to Tiger.
Tiger was very surprised.
Tiger was very surprised.
"You are small, but you are very clever,"
"You are small, but you are very clever,"
said Tiger.
said Tiger.
"Here are all my stories."
"Here are all my stories."
From that day, Anansi became the keeper of all stories.
From that day, Anansi became the keeper of all stories.
People tell Anansi stories all around the world.
People tell Anansi stories all around the world.
The stories teach us that being clever is better than being big and strong.
The stories teach us that being clever is better than being big and strong.