Why Anansi Lives in Corners
Why Anansi Lives in Corners
Anansi the spider was once very proud and thought he was the smartest creature in the world. But one day, his cleverness got him into big trouble that changed where he lives forever.
Long ago, Anansi the spider was very proud.
Long ago, Anansi the spider was very proud.
He thought he was the smartest animal in the world.
He thought he was the smartest animal in the world.
One day, Anansi had an idea.
One day, Anansi had an idea.
"I will collect all the wisdom in the world,"
"I will collect all the wisdom in the world,"
he said.
he said.
"Then I will be the only smart one!"
"Then I will be the only smart one!"
Anansi worked hard.
Anansi worked hard.
He gathered wisdom from everywhere.
He gathered wisdom from everywhere.
He put all the wisdom into a big pot.
He put all the wisdom into a big pot.
The pot became very heavy.
The pot became very heavy.
"Now I must hide this pot,"
"Now I must hide this pot,"
Anansi thought.
Anansi thought.
"I will put it at the top of the tallest tree."
"I will put it at the top of the tallest tree."
"Then only I can have the wisdom."
"Then only I can have the wisdom."
Anansi tied the pot to his stomach.
Anansi tied the pot to his stomach.
He started to climb the tall tree.
He started to climb the tall tree.
But the pot was too big.
But the pot was too big.
It got in his way.
It got in his way.
Anansi could not climb well.
Anansi could not climb well.
Anansi's young son was watching.
Anansi's young son was watching.
The little spider called out, "Father! Why don't you tie the pot to your back? Then you can climb better!"
The little spider called out, "Father! Why don't you tie the pot to your back? Then you can climb better!"
Anansi stopped.
Anansi stopped.
His son was right!
His son was right!
This was very good advice.
This was very good advice.
But then Anansi became upset.
But then Anansi became upset.
"If my small son is so wise,"
"If my small son is so wise,"
Anansi thought,
Anansi thought,
"then I do not have all the wisdom in the world!"
"then I do not have all the wisdom in the world!"
Anansi got very angry.
Anansi got very angry.
He threw the pot down from the tree.
He threw the pot down from the tree.
The pot broke into many pieces.
The pot broke into many pieces.
All the wisdom flew out everywhere.
All the wisdom flew out everywhere.
The wind carried wisdom to all parts of the world.
The wind carried wisdom to all parts of the world.
This is why all people have some wisdom today.
This is why all people have some wisdom today.
And Anansi?
And Anansi?
He was so embarrassed that he hid in the corner of his web.
He was so embarrassed that he hid in the corner of his web.
That is why spiders still live in corners today.
That is why spiders still live in corners today.