The sky god Nyame keeps all stories to himself. Nyame agrees to give up the stories if Anansi the spider can capture the four most dangerous creatures.
Anansi is a trickster. First, Anansi taunts Onini the Python, “You are shorter than this palm branch.” Onini stretches out along the branch to prove he is longer. Anansi ties him up.
Next, Anansi sprinkles water on the Mmoboro Hornets. “It’s rainining,” he says, inviting them to take shelter in his gourd. Anansi corks them up.
Anansi traps Osebo the Leopard in a pit. Pretending to help Osebo, Anansi knocks him cold and ties him up.
Last, Anansi puts yams on a doll and lathers it in sticky sap. The Fairy Mmotia eats the yams and gets stuck.
Anansi presents his captures to Nyame. The sky god gives up the stories, and now every story is called a spider story.
Published on March 26, 2020